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Forward Horsey!
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Hi All,
I have a problem with my rather 'forward' horse, she is extrememy strong and when out riding have to use up all my strength to keep her on a short reign all the time as the slightest relaxing in the reins and she breaks into a canter, at times I don't feel strong enough to pull her up when she wants to go faster then she has a sneaky habit of pulling her head down suddenly which in turn sends me jolting forwards, at times I feel not in control of her, can anyone suggest a suitable bridle/bit/noseband that will give me more control ? I love her to bits and want to enjoy riding her but I am becoming increasingly unconfident.
RQ xx
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If you are riding her in a snaffle then you could maybe try a pelham as that will give you slightly more brakes, but what you really need is to get her listening to you properly. You should be in charge of her and not the other way around. School her more, get her listening to your aids properly, can you half halt effectively, if so get her used to recieving a half halt before you ask her for a change in pace.Also check your seat, don't be tempted to lean forward and anticipate her clearing off with you as this will only encourage her. What's her mouth like and what bit are you presently riding her in, as without a bit more info I can't really advise properly, also age and experince etc would both be useful to know:)
we had a problem with a horse on the farm ,I was trying to break it in for my sister and it did the same. finally we talked to the vet she checked the horse out and told us it had a (i think it was a sist) under the leather strap holding the saddle. try riding it without the saddle and see if it helps. just to let you know my sisters horse would run very fast and stop dead toss us off and then just walk. so if thats sounds familiar have the vet check her stomach and under where the straps go.
A figure of eight or 'grakle' noseband (named after a Grand National winner who wore one) will help to keep the horses head down. They work by putting slight pressure on the nose if they pull, and keep the horses mouth closed so they cannot open their mouth to try to get away from the bit.
Do you use a martingale? These also help if used correctly.
Dear Noxlumos,
Thanks so much for your help and advice, it is most welcome indeed! She is a 15 y/o Welsh Cob, I bought her last October from her owner who neglected her, but she had not been ridden in 2 years, but you would not have thought it, she has so much confidence! She is at present in a D-ring snaffle. I can control her and she is so comfy in a canter, but I think she is on a learning curve, trying it on with me....but she is so strong and very responsive to the leg and reins, she used to do dressage too. She has no vices, and has a lovely temperament, excellent to shoe and box, but she just likes to let off steam! Its got to the stage where if I let her canter, the only way i stop her is to pull a left hand rein sharpley, or turn her into a gate/hedge. I have tried telling her (calmly) to 'woah' etc - she is also bad at standing still, and dances around on her tip toes....like she is almost impatient.
RQ xx
Hi, okay then, a bit of re-schooling would be a good idea and the half halts, definately.She sounds as though she'd like a really good blast and she indeed may just be forward going by nature.Is she being fed non heating mix or something that's not going to fire her up? You may find a good blast about if you fancy it will be all you need along with a good schooling regime to give her a reminder of exactly what you require of her.
It amazes me how often people think to whack in a stronger bit or slap on some more leather before investigating the physical problems! If I were you I'd have her back, saddle and teeth all checked first. If there's no problems there, invest in a good instructor and have some lessons and perhaps he/she will be able to spot any bad habits and support you through this. If you want to continue hacking out just do walk and trot around the roads in the meantime untill you get everything else sorted! It's what I would do anyway!
Right Lollyhoney well I never suggst anyone "whacks in a stronger bit or slaps a bit of leather on" lightly but from her post I ASSUMED, possibly wrongly I will grant, that Roughquest was a quite intelligent person, who would have had the common sense to check the rudiments prior to posting on here. It's unlikely to be her back imho as she's not "cold backed" in any way and from the syptoms described it really doesn't sound like a back problem. If she maintains her horse well (and she sounds like a caring owner), the animal's teeth won't be the problem either, and a badly fitting saddle/ damaged saddle is unlikely for the same reason. This lady does not sound like a novice to me so I chose not to insult her intelligence, those being the first things anyone would check. There are a whole host of physical things it could be, but from her description it sounded more unlikely.I suggested a Pelham because they work well for people who do not have huge amounts of upper body strength, otherwise life gets tiring and depressing and somewhat frightening for them on a horse they can't stop. A snaffle is not a wonder bit, it's the not necessarily the preference for all horses and people who use other bits are not cruel or stupid as your post appears to suggest, i've seen countless people who've been looked down their nose at as though they've done something wrong in trying a different bit. Also as the horse has done dressage she'll be well used to being ridden in something other than a snaffle and I did ask about the lady's riding and suggest a good re-schooling regime ahead and above of anything if you read my responses.
Right noxlumous reference to your comment that it doesnt sound like her back- this is EXACTLY what one of the mares in our yard did when she was out and a chiropractor was called who said her hips were out of alignment, which is why she was putting her head down and racing off, so indeed it could be a back problem (not saying it is but it's a suggestion). Also with a horse who's shoving it's head down at speed, I wouldn't feel a curb bit would be ideal as the poll pressure would get his head even lower! To say someone is to weak to ride a horse in a certain bit is wrong!! A pelham is a presicion bit not for brakes! If it's used inappropriately the horse will just go faster to avoid such pressure!
I have re read my post and certainly didnt think I was being insulting to Roughquest, merely suggestion the three most common physical problems that can result in this behaviour. Problems need to be solved and not masked with metal and leather- any decent instuctor or horseman would tell you this!
Well I'll go out and ride my 3 ex-racers ( which I excercise for my wife who runs and ex-racer resuce) in snaffles from now on Lollyhoney (actually one already is) now fully realising thanks to your informative post that actually they don't need leather and bits, they need a chiropractor! . Maybe a Reiki session might help them get in touch with their inner foal eh? Either way it's clear that pelhams are not never the way forward and that my 40 years of living and working around horses is apparently a load of old horse manure. Thank you so much for opening our eyes, gave my wife a good laugh anyway.
Perhaps you ought to learn to read properly and not jump to conclusions my friend! At no point did I say pelhams should never be used. My advanced medium dressage mare goes in a pelham or a double, as well as her snaffle, but if you look again my dear you'll see I mentioned inappropriate use of pelhams. Who am I to suggest what you do with your horses? I dont really care either, but as this person was seeking advice I suggested a back check, but neither did I suggest this would be the cure for it!. What is your problem with that?? Any idiot can use tack, but some people may not think about why these issues arise in there circumstances (and I dont mean you!).
The terrible thing is that I actually agree with what you say to some extent but your manner is very derisory and there's nothing worse than someone slagging off someone else's suggestions in the offhand manner you chose to adopt in your first post. It was rude and unnecessary.We deal with lots of horses that have been "overtacked" by the desperate and terrified and also many who have been coddled beyond words by the "snaffle only" brigade and are getting away with murder. Some have injuries that make them difficult as you describe and some have suffered abuse and are distrustful and difficult.There are never any solely right or wrong answers and I'm not denigrating you or your ideas but a Pelham is a fairly standard piece of tack and I maintain wholly appropriate for this type of issue. If you disagree that is naturally your right but it's tried and tested in this situation and as long as roghquest is not hamfisted ( and I have no reason to think she is) then no harm will come of it. People use a variety of tack to assist their riding experience, that's why there are bit banks and tack banks, so folk can try out different things and see what works best for each individual horse and rider.Try a chiropractor by all means, some are very good but they always find something wrong with any horse they examine in my experience even if there's nothing wrong at all, it's their living.
Eeeek, I am terrified now to post another answer, please do not fall out over my post, my horse is sound in everyway, she has been vetted and her back and tack is A1. She is just an exuberant mare, the Pelham bit is an excellent idea Noxlumos, and Lollyhoney if I did things like you say it would take a year and a day - no offence, but I am quite experienced and NOT a novice. I do happen to know that horses are not stupid and know a good time when they think they have one over on us humans! I don't think you comprehend the terrifying ordeal of being on the back of a bolting horse somehow, but Noxlumous has given constructive, sound advice,
Many thanks to you both,
RQ xx
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