Youngster driving me mad

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bootsandmud

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In November last year I bought a project horse. She's only just turned six, just over 16hh. She hadn't really done much before I got her, just basic flatwork and I think she was hunted once. After a couple of rough months, she started relaxing into her work and was going really really well.

About a month ago we hit a rough patch.

She's gone from taking five minutes to settle into her work to taking a good fifteen minutes tossing her head in the air, refusing to come down on the bit, leaning, and just feels messy.

I gave her a week off and brought her back by lungeing her for a few days on the pessoa. I then rode her in bungee reins for one ride and the next few sessions after that rode her without them. She is still going terribly.

I'm having her back done next week, then her saddle checked as that is due to be checked. Her teeth were done a few months ago. I currently ride her in a French link loose ring snaffle and just a regular cavesson noseband. When I went away in March, the person I had exercise her for me rode her in a similar bit (I can't remember it now) but used a drop noseband and apparently she went a lot better in that than her regular set up so I'm wondering whether or not I should try her in one of those. I also rode her in a grackle for a few weeks not long ago and she went well in that but I didn't see any reason for her to have to wear that type of noseband if she didn't need to, but obviously I'm just trying to find the noseband and bit combination that works best for her.

I just need any tips/advice on schooling/bits/bridles. I'm honestly going mad with her but don't want to give up.
 
Last edited:
bootsandmud said:
In November last year I bought a project horse. She's only just turned six, just over 16hh. She hadn't really done much before I got her, just basic flatwork and I think she was hunted once. After a couple of rough months, she started relaxing into her work and was going really really well.

About a month ago we hit a rough patch.

She's gone from taking five minutes to settle into her work to taking a good fifteen minutes tossing her head in the air, refusing to come down on the bit, leaning, and just feels messy.

I gave her a week off and brought her back by lungeing her for a few days on the pessoa. I then rode her in bungee reins for one ride and the next few sessions after that rode her without them. She is still going terribly.

I'm having her back done next week, then her saddle checked as that is due to be checked. Her teeth were done a few months ago. I currently ride her in a French link loose ring snaffle and just a regular cavesson noseband. When I went away in March, the person I had exercise her for me rode her in a similar bit (I can't remember it now) but used a drop noseband and apparently she went a lot better in that than her regular set up so I'm wondering whether or not I should try her in one of those. I also rode her in a grackle for a few weeks not long ago and she went well in that but I didn't see any reason for her to have to wear that type of noseband if she didn't need to, but obviously I'm just trying to find the noseband and bit combination that works best for her.

I just need any tips/advice on schooling/bits/bridles. I'm honestly going mad with her but don't want to give up.
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My marr hates a caverson and goes better without any nose band but is equally happy in a drop done up on the last hole (so v loose) sktick a loose caverson on her and it's like you've put the hand brake on - try a loose drop or no nose band some horses just hate the feel of a caverson
 
blitznbobs said:
My marr hates a caverson and goes better without any nose band but is equally happy in a drop done up on the last hole (so v loose) sktick a loose caverson on her and it's like you've put the hand brake on - try a loose drop or no nose band some horses just hate the feel of a caverson
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know a number of ponies that are like this too. They like the bare bones.
 
Loosen the noseband as sometimes if it's too tight it puts pressure on the poll. If the headpiece doesn't move up with your fingers and you can't get two fingers underneath the noseband then that might be your problem. Also, check browband isn't too tight pulling the headpiece onto the back the ears.

Other than that... well... she's young. Take your time and work through it gently.
 
amymay said:
Does she have her wolf teeth?
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Beat me to it. Also check the width of the browband, too short will pull the headpiece forward onto sensitive nerves at the base of the ear.

I also agree with the 'just 6' and Kevin stage to a degree. Perhaps not so much for a mare, but certainly a gelding. My big young gelding followed the pattern of broken as he hit 4 and was nervous, naive and willing, at 5 he was like a sponge and now at nearly 6 he knows it all, has an agenda and asks the 'why' question on a regular basis. I remain ever hopeful he will be Mr Perfect at 7.

The filly was sulky at 4, idle at 5 and now at 6 confident and willing. Both had wolf teeth out age 3, the filly had whoppers.
 
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