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Cassie
Gold Member
 England
781 Posts |
 Posted - 13 May 2008 : 7:11:15 PM
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Hi everyone
I am hoping that someone out there can help me with a long term problem I have with my mare, like a few of you out there my mare is difficult with bitting, You name it I have tried it from eggbutt, french link, KK, Myler snaffles happy mouth pelham joint pelhem french link pelham. What she does is her head goes up she draw her tongue back to the back of her mouth when any sort of connect is made.
I am at the moment using a Mikmer Combination Bit and it seems to be working quite well when I am schooling and hacking and the only time she draws her tongue back now is when she knows she is on the way home from a hack and she is keen to get home or when she really not listening where as it use to be all time.
And when I go to shows with her all I get is head in the air mouth open and careering around the ring I cannot get her to listen the judge said that she has a comfortable trot but there is a lot of resistance in the mouth.
I think one contributing factor is that she is kept with one other mare hacks out with only one other horse so when she goes into the ring with quite a few other horses its all abit to much for her,
So now I don't know what to do next is it the bit or is it behaviour she has had her teeth checked and saddle fits etc.
Christine
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Mrs Vlacq
Platinum Member
Wales
3776 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2008 : 8:39:58 PM
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sounds like you have made progress with the bit so what she needs now is 'exposure' - lots of clinics etc so she has to work as she does at home but in new surroundings, with different amounts of company, different riders too, get a good instructor to do a few sessions and give you feedback, ask friends to climb on and judge-ride etc... stick with it - it'll all be worth it  |
    
- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq |
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sunny
Silver Member
252 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2008 : 9:36:52 PM
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| Have you tried draw reins or a bungee? |
South Lincolnshire |
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Cassie
Gold Member
England
781 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2008 : 10:01:39 PM
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Thank you for your suggestions you are propably right Mrs Vlacq she has led a sheltered life, my insrtuctor/friend is a dressage rider and judge and although she is a friend I don't like her as an instructor she is abit of a bully at shows she bombards me with loads of instructions like more leg shorten your reins lift your hands and all does is make matters worse Kaz hates short tight contact I get tense the horse gets up tight and all she wants to do is gallop around with all these horses.
She admits she doesn't like Arabs but then she says Kaz is OK, she rides throughbreds. And the other think she says is the people who show their Arabs in hand and have that look at me attitude feed their Arabs loads of hot food and if I want Kaz like that then that is what I should do. Last year we came third in a show and my friend said well the compitetion wasn't very good she doesn't do anything for my confidence.
Its so nice to talk to like mind people who appreciate the Arab
Christine |
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trinity
Gold Member
Scotland
1126 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2008 : 10:18:47 PM
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| I am currently schooling an arab/clydesdale (not a cross I would have chosen) who does exactly the same thing. It's like riding a camel sometimes - head constantly in the air. She was used to being charged round the forestry at 90 miles an hour and was ridden in a horrible gag which she absolutely hated being schooled in. I have put her back in to a snaffle and I find that when the head goes in the air the most effective method is to sit and stroke her neck with my inside hand, still maintaining the contact with the rein. She settles very quickly, the head drops and she settles back in to schooling. I know it sounds very simple, but it works every time. Just keep a cool head and give her the confidence to relax in to what every you ask her to do. It sounds as if you're making progress, so keep perservering. With time and patience, it will come. Good luck. |
Beck |
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Mrs Vlacq
Platinum Member
Wales
3776 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2008 : 10:20:57 PM
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Well, join a RC and go to things!! You'll meet lots of capable, practically minded people - there is more to life than dressage! You know your horse and trying new things will build your bond and boost your confidence
(I had a fabulous instructor for a while as a teenager and one day let him school a green mare... he never sat on it again!! He would push riders to achieve but it didn't work when he pushed the horse directly if you get my meaning) |
- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq |
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Cate
Platinum Member
Scotland
1785 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2008 : 11:07:35 PM
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| Sounds as though your mare is not happy about something be it a bit in her mouth, or perhaps her back gets sore and that's why she hollows, so does her saddle fit, or is she not muscled up enough in the back. I would sort out these issues first before going off to any shows. Obviously something bothering her and thats the only way she can tell you. |
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paul_exe
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2022 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2008 : 11:22:12 PM
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I have a great dressage teacher, yes she is strict, but if I or my horse do not understand what she is talking about..... I make her get on my horse and show me what she means............ I cannot be doing with people who are Good on the ground, but cannot do what they are asking me to do..... If they can teach and do what they are teaching, they are worth their weight in gold. My advise...... Change your instructor...... How the hell can they know what a horse feels like unless they ride them... My instructor gave me 10/10 and said I made it look easy....... Each horse is an individual. You have to have faith in your instructor to take in their knowledge, and they have to know your horse too..........
Paul |
     
Get over yourself: You breathe, you fart, what makes you different?
Gloriously Sunny Devon |
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Moira
Gold Member
Scotland
503 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2008 : 11:38:46 PM
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| When Zak was young he used to keep his tongue behind the bit like your horse. I tried happy mouth & french link bits and then found a full cheek french link bit which I used with fulmer loops. These lift the bit towards the roof of the horse's mouth leaving more room underneath for their tongue and also putting less pressure on the tongue. Within a few weeks Zak was happy to let the bit sit on his tongue although I rode in the bit for about 4 years as he went so well in it. |
  
***Zak******Zhaazeer*****Gremlin |
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Pixie
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
6586 Posts |
Posted - 14 May 2008 : 09:22:08 AM
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| This is probably not very helpful. Find a new instructor. |
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Pasha
Platinum Member
England
3622 Posts |
Posted - 14 May 2008 : 09:41:44 AM
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I agree - get a new instructor and friend! You want someone who will help you to build your confidence together!
I'm not an advocate of gadgets at all, but have you thought about trying the Elastic Rein? (Carl Hester's is called fantastic elastic but you can get the same thing for half the price from Derby House etc).... just a thought as when she throws her head-up it probably jerks on the reins which she doesn't like so you're in a catch-22. Having an elastic rein which would create a constant soft feel for her mouth may help |
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