*Maddy&Occhi*
Well-Known Member
Wondering if anyone could offer some advice/help. I have a just turned 5 year old hispano mare who seems to have bit issues. She does various things whilst being ridden which include- clenching her jaw and grinding her teeth, chewing and playing with the bit continuously, always behind the bit and will rarely take the contact forward. She will however work in an ouline...but it's never consistent as she will do the above and can never keep her head still. I've had her around 6 months now and she has progressed huge amounts. I could barely take take up a contact at all when I first got her. She has apparently always had bit issues (ever since she was backed) and I will say they have got slightly better (she used to snatch the reins also which she now does not do). I have always put it down to her being a bery green youngster, but we are now at the point where we want to progress further and I feel these issues are starting to set us back slightly, and stopping us from getting her more established. Some days are worse than others and they seem to be worse out hacking when i'm not asking for much. But I'm now at a loss, not 100% certain on whether it is a youngster thing, or she's in some sort of pain/discomfort somewhere (she will clench her jaw on the lunge also).
In the last 6 months she has had her teeth done (no issues there at all- all looking normal for a 5 year old), her back done (absolutely fine), and a new fitted saddle. Bit wise she's curretly in a nutcracker action snaffle (better than the others I've tried but the issues are still very much apparent). I've tried various snaffles also, ranging from neue schule to myler and still no improvement.
Anyone had similiar issues with their yougsters? Or can anyone offer some advice/guidance? It would be very much appreciated.
In the last 6 months she has had her teeth done (no issues there at all- all looking normal for a 5 year old), her back done (absolutely fine), and a new fitted saddle. Bit wise she's curretly in a nutcracker action snaffle (better than the others I've tried but the issues are still very much apparent). I've tried various snaffles also, ranging from neue schule to myler and still no improvement.
Anyone had similiar issues with their yougsters? Or can anyone offer some advice/guidance? It would be very much appreciated.