Fighting the bit

[cbelton]

I just started training my 20 month old standardbred and when I try to stop him or put pressure in his mouth so that he will hold his gait he puts his head down. I am currently using a training snaffle bit any suggestions?

[samson'ssista]

Hey there's this think that prevents having to hurt a horses mouth. It's a bitless bridle. What it is is an english bridle without a bit.The reins kris-kross under the horse's head and put's the pressure on the nose. To check it out go to www.nurturalhorse.com. :)

[Div]

Hi,

Don't lose faith in the bit yet. Bits don't have to hurt a horse to be effective, and hackamores (also called bitless bridles) can actually cause a horse pain too if used incorrectly.

The behaviour of your horse is typical of a youngster. He is testing to see how much he can do, and he doesn't like being controlled so he is fighting you. Try using voice commands as well as the reins; 'whoa' to slow down from any pace. Push your seat (your butt!) down into the saddle too. Use the reins gently. Work him with the reins a bit longer, and gradually take them up.

I method I use with my pony mare when she gets her head down is 'tickling'. Just jiggle the rein a little. Don't shake it or jerk it, just use your little finger and pull it back towards the palm of your hand three or four times. This makes the bit wiggle in the horse's mouth. They can't fight it because it happens quickly, and they will often stop pulling to concentrate on what is going on. I also use this method on my dressage-trained Thoroughbred mare and it makes her bring her nose up and in and go on the bit beautifully.

Whatever you do, don't fight the horse. If he pulls his head down, don't try to haul it back up. A horse is much stronger than a person, and he can haul on a nice soft training bit for a lot longer than you can haul on reins. If he pulls, let the reins slip through your fingers until he reaches the end of his pull, then slowly take up the reins and bring his head back up again. Keep doing this.

You can try the above method but don't take the reins back in until he lifts his head by himself. Then take the reins in, and that way you don't have to pull at all.

Another method I find works well is to give a little nudge with your legs when the horse gets its head down (unless the horse has a habit of bucking). This tends to make the horse lift its head back up.

Don't, I repeat, DON'T resort to a harsher bit. He will still pull, but it will HURT and he will get cranky, maybe bucking and running backwards. Keep trying with the training bit. I use a single-jointed eggbutt snaffle on my youngster, and I've not yet had trouble with him pulling.

Incidentally, if your horse is really only 20 months old (1 year 8 months) he is a bit young to be being ridden a lot. Horses are very tender at this age, and if you are giving him a sore back by riding him too much then he will pull (remember, when he pulls, he pulls your weight slightly forward and off his back a bit, which gives him instant relief from your weight). You should try working him on the longe rein, you could work him with side reins too which will help him to round his back and work with his head up.

Best of luck, and I hope he goes well for you :)