Should I change her bit?

[Loui5e]

Hi Girls,

On Wed I took my horse out for a hack I have only had her 8 weeks and we have been out in company plenty of times and she is fine. I had someone walk out on the ground with us to give her confidence, she blew and shouted a bit but was generally ok on the way there. We turned round and my friend got on and I walked next to her. She started trying to jog so we kept turning her round making her stand on the third time she just turned and ran she gallopped all the way home about a mile on a hard bridleway luckily she stopped at a gate before she got to the road. She had really sweated up but was quite calm once my friend got off shaking.

I know it was my fault I shouldn't have taken her that far, I shoud have had a lead rope and built it up gradually, it turned out she was also in season. She is a very laid back horse and as good as gold normally she came to me hacking out alone.

The girls at the yard have said I should change her bit to a 3 ring gag (she is in a french link) now she knows she can over power it. I am a novice so I want control but previously she had been fine in the FL.

I am going to start again with the solo hacking small walks inhand etc and build it up gradually.

Should I change or see how we get on?

Thanks for reading I know its a bit long!!

Louise

[Marusenka]

I would leave her bit as it is for the time being- at the end of the day no bit no matter how strong is going to stop a horse that just wants to go for whatever reason.

I think you know exactly the reason for the loss of control- you took her out a bit too far for her first time alone and she is only just building up confidence in you. You are right to go back to the beginning- go out for short walks in hand- do more hacking in company until she is familiar with the area but making her take the lead in company and perhaps losing the others round a corner etc and then meeting them again so she doesn't get too used to just being out with others and plodding along behind.
Circular routes also help as you are always going in a forwards direction and not turning back on yourself and so try to avoid going out and turning round if you can- this can lead to bad habits where they try and turn you round before you are ready and you end up getting closer and closer to home rather than far away!

She will get there once she builds up some confidence in you- good luck with her.

[puzzles]

Absolutely 100% ditto :-D

[c2b]

My ex farrier and excellent rider has a saying...

"bits don't make 'osses, 'ands make 'osses"

My mare is in a french link. When I first got her I had no brakes most of the time. As our bond has developed I can now stop her on a sixpence. I am so pleased now we didn't go down the stronger bit route.

[moff]

as alot of people have already said- changing a bit is not always the answer. as it doesnt matter how strong the rider is (you could get a horse and a really strong man to have a tug of war and the horse would win!). It sounds to me as your horse is bolting. The only way to stop this is through your schooling. lots of transitions and get your horse listening to you so that it knows that when you ask it to come back to walk-thats what it does.

I used to own a youngster and when i first bought her she bolted so i sympathise with you, i found a few ways which stop this aswell. instead of pulling and pulling on your reins turn your horses head to the side or imply turn your horse in a circle as a horse can not gallop if its head is not in line with its body! and also when you ask your horse to stop make sure you are sitting deep-i know this sounds stupid but if your not using your seat corrently then your horse may not understand.

good luck and i hope this helps lv alex xxx

[Flony_Pony]

I think we all know that you know the answer to the question!!

I took advice from my local tack shop and ended with my horse is a 3 ring tomb thumb type bit, i took her for schooling and she is now in a baby bit with keys and i can stop and steer!! Gentle schooling, short hacks, routes she knows etc will all help.

Jess is 5 and although I've had her for 2 1/2 years she isnt happy going on routes she doesnt know and i never directly turn her round to go home, i normally just go through a little estate and back so i dont turn round!!

Make sure you know where you are going too this will make you more confident and this is transfer onto your girly! Good luck!

[Loui5e]

Thanks girls, I took her out today in company and she was fine BUT she is now lame think the other day was to blame. I have a RI coming tomorrow to do some groundwork and bonding with me think I will give my physio a ring to see if she can help. Her shoulder seems tender and front left looks a bit puffy.
Going back to basics you know what yards are like they can scare you to death, now I cannot wait to show them we can do it.
Thanks
Louise