Youngster started throwing head in the air schooling

tobiano1984

tobiano1984

Well-Known Member
Joined
9 February 2012
Messages
1,017
Visit site
One of my youngsters has been the easiest thing ever to break in, no issues at all, ready to sell - and then this week has started being a complete pain! He's always been quite gobby, is in a flash now (and lozenge d ring). But has now taken to throwing his head up (and has a very long neck so it's a bit of a risk to rider's teeth/nose) and using that combined with shoulder to nap/divert across the school. Never bucks or rears. He's recently had his teeth done, and back/saddle are all fine and recently checked. We are of the opinion that it's a toddler tantrum - he's 4, and was very weak when first started and I think is using his new found strength and testing his boundaries. I'm very aware that I don't want it to turn into a fight that he will win, so wondered how best to nip it in the bud. I put him in the equiami riding aid yesterday and this helped as he couldn't get his head right up, and ended up softening - but as it works through the bit I don't want him to get too used to it. Once you have control of his shoulders he softens beautifully and is a lovely ride, but until then he is very strong. I saw on another post on here about using a standing martingale. Just wondered if anyone else has any tips/has worked through this? Until now he's been working in a nice outline in all 3 paces, was getting really good with canter transitions but it's all gone out the window now. As a big warmblood I really want to squash any big ideas he has ASAP, especially as he's going to be sold.

Also going to get him out hacking lots to give him something else to think about. In the school he is fine when huge tractors go past or a pigeon flies into him, but invents gremlins in the corners.
 
Were the checks done before the recent escalation of behaviour, if so I'd be inclined to have him doubled checked again.

As you've said he is to be sold, I'd really want to iron out the contact issues, I wouldn't expect a 4 year old to need a flash. Mine has her unbalanced yobbish moments but equally I've worked hard to keep her mouth soft and not need to rely on a flash, (I have an older horse with a very ingrained open mouth evasion of the contact habit and she is the reason I wanted a unbacked youngster :o).

Has he always been gobby with the contact or just as he's become stronger and bolder? Sometimes the lozenge bits give them too much to play with and a straight bar, or mullen mouth might be stiller in the mouth and encourage a stiller contact, I'm currently using a Myler in my evasive one?

Hacking has done wonders for my baby horse, gets her moving on (was a touch nappy), has relaxed her walk beautifully and occupies her mind :), she is a fairly young four though so thankfully not quite hit the 'I'm big and strong and know everything' stage yet :o.

With the older one again (honestly she is a delight now :o), we used a bungie type gadget when she went through a rather excitable head launching phase, which we thought worked well, but otherwise we would have looked at a standing martingale as I like it only attaches to the noseband and not the bit.
 
Last edited:
Obviously the usual checks.....
I would recommend a standing martingale, it doesn't interfere with the contact and needn't be tight, but if you are fearing for your teeth it will at least help with that!
As mince pie said I would look at a different bit.
More hacking would definitely be top of my list. You don't mention how much you do, but I will often only school youngsters once a week and then do lots of hacking.
 
I'm happy with his back and saddle - I like to think I have a good idea of when it's attitude and when it's uncomfortable. I check his saddle every time he's ridden (and I fit saddles for a living) and he has the osteopath regularly. Re. the bit, I'm not sure what else to try - he's always had this titanium lozenge D ring, when first backed he was very gobby, it's eased off now and when he's in a nice contact he isn't at all gobby, but does foam up a lot (dentist last month, nothing unusual). I could try a Myler (have loads of them for my older 2) but just aware that they are a bit stronger due to being quite thin, and I don't want to over bit him at his age.

Hacking - I wish I did more, but having lost a youngster (and nearly myself) a couple of years ago on the road I really don't do as much as I should. He rides round the farm quite a bit but obviously that's not as interesting as going out properly.
 
Could you box up and go somewhere off road? I'd be looking at a mullen mouth, and I love the hanging cheek bits as well but then I guess that's just personal preference :)
 
That's babies for you. Don't you just love them!

They go through teething stages up to 4 1/2 years, so perhaps just having a teething episode. Personally, I would keep the bit as basic as you can, and take off the flash. If you really feel you need help keeping him settled then a drop or grackle would be much better imho. I would also steer clear of martingales (except for hacking) at this stage, as some do get wise and know when they are or aren't wearing one (just feels different to a human rein contact).

Ensure he is being ridden into an even consistent contact. It is so easy with young horses to "baby" them for longer than is nesecary and not realise you are actually letting them take control. If his basic training was correct then he should understand forward and contact, therefore ride him more grown up. When he shoves his head up ensure you are not giving the contact away, and make sure you are "holding" the contact (think of it as side reins). Do not pull back, just hold, and as soon as he drops back to a contact you are happy with, then soften. He may fight for a while, but will soon learn you are not going to "give" the rein when he pulls his head up and therefore it is going to be uncomftoable. Don't forget to use plenty of transitions, and circles - ensuring you are asking him to lift through the inside hind up to the outside hand.
 
lizziebell said:
That's babies for you. Don't you just love them!

They go through teething stages up to 4 1/2 years, so perhaps just having a teething episode. Personally, I would keep the bit as basic as you can, and take off the flash. If you really feel you need help keeping him settled then a drop or grackle would be much better imho. I would also steer clear of martingales (except for hacking) at this stage, as some do get wise and know when they are or aren't wearing one (just feels different to a human rein contact).

Ensure he is being ridden into an even consistent contact. It is so easy with young horses to "baby" them for longer than is nesecary and not realise you are actually letting them take control. If his basic training was correct then he should understand forward and contact, therefore ride him more grown up. When he shoves his head up ensure you are not giving the contact away, and make sure you are "holding" the contact (think of it as side reins). Do not pull back, just hold, and as soon as he drops back to a contact you are happy with, then soften. He may fight for a while, but will soon learn you are not going to "give" the rein when he pulls his head up and therefore it is going to be uncomftoable. Don't forget to use plenty of transitions, and circles - ensuring you are asking him to lift through the inside hind up to the outside hand.
Click to expand...

He obviously heard that he was being put up for sale...! He was in a drop noseband before, but it just didn't fit right - funny shaped head (small nose, big cheeks), and I don't really want to have one made for him, so ended up in a flash instead. I always prefer to ride in a plain cavesson, as my other horses are, but this guy is just impossible without. Hopefully once he settles he can be weaned off it. It's not tight, just enough to prevent him really opening up.

He is being schooled by a professional (GP) rider twice a week, so the contact is very consistent and he's definitely not being babied. Until now he's been absolutely fine, just decided to test everyone and even the pro got pretty exasperated with him this week. It wasn't just the head in the air, it was also the total lack of concentration and respect for rider. I'm hoping if he is given no quarter he will snap out of it soon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top