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Post by lesgallops on Oct 22, 2012 17:42:51 GMT 1
I have a lovely 15 yo Arab gelding who when I brought him a few years ago was already used to a hackamore
When I asked the previous owner why he used it he said it was nicer for him to be able to eat when they stopped as they used to do endurance
Well in the school he is perfect boy and when he goes out he is perfect most of the time
But should he get fizzy( he is an arab) he is soooo difficult to stop
Seems to throw his head down and lean on it
He usually has quite a high head carriage
So I'm wondering if he wouldn't be slightly more controllable when he is having a moment in a bit
I usually ride him with washing lines but when he does this he removes skin !
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Post by arabiangem on Oct 22, 2012 18:02:16 GMT 1
I think a myler combination would work a treat here. The intial action is similar to a hackamore with the bit coming intonplay if that is not sufficient. I'm having similar issues with my girl who goes beautifully in a.scrawbrig at home but completely ignores it at rides and a combination was recommended by someone who had a similar story with her mare. I rode with her briefly last weekend and the mare was going wonderfully unlike my speed demon!!!
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Post by ladynowak on Oct 22, 2012 18:22:35 GMT 1
We put my old Arab in a bitless, mainly because he did an excllent line in "oh right we are galloping,..excellent...no I'm not going to stop" and would grab hold of the bit, throw his head to the ground and just go. While I don't believe in the saying of "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" by his last 20s we had decided to give up battling him over it and out him bitless which was the way he stayed until his late 30s. No more throwing around of his head, he still threw his head to the ground but you could pull him up on the beach  |
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Post by Liz on Oct 22, 2012 19:37:40 GMT 1
Hackamores worked well with a horse I had who disliked a bit and set his jaw. The change the first time in a hackamore was instant and like riding a difffrerent horse. However - light hands are essential and I would recommend an emergency neckstrap if you are anything less than very well balanced  |
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Amanda Seater
Grand Prix Poster
Listen to your horse you may be surprised what he may tell you about yourself
Posts: 3,866
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Post by Amanda Seater on Oct 22, 2012 20:05:05 GMT 1
so let me get this right, as I read this, he is leaning on the hackamore? what type of hack more?
Or is he leaning on a bit?
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Post by lesgallops on Oct 22, 2012 20:40:07 GMT 1
He is leaning and pulling on his hackamore
And he has never unseated me (yet) and I do tend to ride with soft hands
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Post by ruthp on Oct 23, 2012 9:15:23 GMT 1
I'd echo that a Myler combination might be a good option if you want to try a bit, but if you prefer to stay bitless, you might like to try a Dr Cook. I had a horse who didn't like bits, so I borrowed a Hackamore - he was much happier in that but he did have the occasional tank and I was worried about how much pressure I was putting on his nose to stop him. Sounds as though your "leaning" horse might be doing something similar. So I tried a Dr Cook, and never looked back. Much more responsive to very light hands and a relaxed horse. Doesn't work for everyone, but possibly worth a try.
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Post by Liz on Oct 23, 2012 9:41:50 GMT 1
My goodness - never heard of a horse leaning on a hackamore and cannot suggest anything else - I'll leave it to the experts!!  |
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Post by lesgallops on Oct 24, 2012 7:20:16 GMT 1
Thanks everyone I have ordered a myler combination bit and I also have another bitless bridle here so hopefully I will solve this
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Amanda Seater
Grand Prix Poster
Listen to your horse you may be surprised what he may tell you about yourself
Posts: 3,866
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Post by Amanda Seater on Oct 24, 2012 8:57:51 GMT 1
Do let us know how you get on!
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jinglejoys
Grand Prix Poster
Grand Prix Poster
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Post by jinglejoys on Oct 24, 2012 19:03:27 GMT 1
It's not about the bit  |
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Amanda Seater
Grand Prix Poster
Listen to your horse you may be surprised what he may tell you about yourself
Posts: 3,866
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Post by Amanda Seater on Oct 24, 2012 20:08:26 GMT 1
Hmm - I could have said that Jinglejoys and often I woudl agree - but we don't have enough info to make a valid judegement and sometimes, it actaully it IS about the bit or headpiece rather etc as opposed to the way of using it.
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Post by bertie666 on Oct 24, 2012 21:23:43 GMT 1
And sometimes you have a horse like mine that you can put any bit in its mouth, be riding in the school with reins on her neck and she still puts her tongue over it and back, over and back over and back etc etc
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Post by lesgallops on Oct 25, 2012 6:43:18 GMT 1
I actually do agree it may not be about the bit !!!!( although I will still try them)
Went on a short hack yesterday to accompany my youngster
And he was a little devil (spooking ,little bucks ,pulling )
Until he had the biggest telling off for his behaviour !(do doesn't usually do anything wrong to get told off for)
And then he returned to being the perfect gentleman once more
Calm chilled listening
So maybe little by little he has gradually got away with more and more until he does think he knows best!
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Post by elkerlodge on Oct 26, 2012 12:34:13 GMT 1
Hackamores can we very severe in the wrong had, styles differ, but all give a large amount of poll pressure.
If he has not had a bit in his mouth, do get his teeth checked, before going down the bit route.
you may have to go to the beginning and treat it as bitting for the first time.
It may be worth having one visit from an IHRA, one call out would be cheaper that buying the wrong equipment, plus dont forget you can trial from the Bit bank
good luck
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