wispagold
Well-Known Member
Hi
I have taken on a 5 year old that was backed 3 months ago. He has previously been beaten up and as a result is quite headshy (to the point where you have to take his bridle completely apart to put it on him). When we first started to back him we realised that as soon as we put a bit his mouth he put his tongue over it.
I have since managed to get him out of this habit by putting him in a bit where he physically couldn't do it. This wasn't ideal as he also wasn't thinking forward so now he isn't putting his tongue over I have tried him in some softer bits but he hates everything! I have tried him in a straight bar happy mouth but it rubbed him and made his mouth really sore. I think he has a fleshy mouth and a large tongue. He spends most of the time with his mouth wide open and his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. I have no contact at all. He either has his head up in the air or tucked into his chest, dropping behind the contact.
I have tried him in a KK ultra soft he is 80% better in this on lunge but still struggling when riding him. I have tried really hard to get him more forward now but still no better in his mouth (which isn't sore now).
I am at a bit of a loss at what to do. I don't want to strap his mouth shut with a flash or drop (his nose band is quite loose) as I want him to think forward. I am going to try hacking him out more to distract him from thinking about his mouth all the time but please people offer solutions or ideas!!
Thanks in advance!
I have taken on a 5 year old that was backed 3 months ago. He has previously been beaten up and as a result is quite headshy (to the point where you have to take his bridle completely apart to put it on him). When we first started to back him we realised that as soon as we put a bit his mouth he put his tongue over it.
I have since managed to get him out of this habit by putting him in a bit where he physically couldn't do it. This wasn't ideal as he also wasn't thinking forward so now he isn't putting his tongue over I have tried him in some softer bits but he hates everything! I have tried him in a straight bar happy mouth but it rubbed him and made his mouth really sore. I think he has a fleshy mouth and a large tongue. He spends most of the time with his mouth wide open and his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. I have no contact at all. He either has his head up in the air or tucked into his chest, dropping behind the contact.
I have tried him in a KK ultra soft he is 80% better in this on lunge but still struggling when riding him. I have tried really hard to get him more forward now but still no better in his mouth (which isn't sore now).
I am at a bit of a loss at what to do. I don't want to strap his mouth shut with a flash or drop (his nose band is quite loose) as I want him to think forward. I am going to try hacking him out more to distract him from thinking about his mouth all the time but please people offer solutions or ideas!!
Thanks in advance!