what to do ?

[chickyd444]

please can one of you super dooper knowledgeable dressageeees give me a bit :D of advice?

started dressage lessons jasper coming on really well , softening to the bit and leg a treat, he has got stronger since doing all this extra work aswell - he is still very heavy on the bit and i very reluctant to work on the bit - he is usally ridden in a D ring copper roller - would a pelham help and if so would a straight, mullen mouth or a snaffle type be kinder? benefits of a pelham please x :confused::o

thank you

[eventerbabe]

if he is reluctant to work correctly, i'd get him physically checked out first. I know when my cob is niggly and throwing the odd buck and not willing to work correctly that his back is niggling.

I'm dubious about recomending a pelham because i always like to school in a bit that is dressage legal (purely my opinion, but my aim is to compete so pointless working the horse at home in something i can't use in the dressage arena). I'm also inclined to think that if he's heavy on your hands he is not working correctly. When working properly, through from behind they shouldn't feel heavy in the hand. If he's leaning, try the odd give and retake to release the contact and remind him that he has to carry himself and not lean on you.

pelhams are useful bits (see tack section for recent thread), but as i said not dressage legal. If you do try a pelham, make sure to use 2 reins NOT roundings. I'd start with a mullen mouth, i think the jointed ones kind of muddy the action a bit......

[Berry]

I can't comment on the benefits of a pelham, as I've never used one, but something to think about is that you wouldn't be able to compete in it, as it's not dressage-legal. It would be ok for schooling but not if you want to do any dressage competitions - so you'd need to change over your bit.

[Berry]

cross-posted with eventerbabe - sorry :D

[chickyd444]

thank you eventer - he is now working from behind- to start with he was not, and he is having his back checked by poo bear on a regular basis. i may will try a mullen mouth - i didnt know they werent dressage legal - bugger ! first test next spring super novice mind :D

[chickyd444]

i know pelhams are a no-no , but what about a weymouth and whay are the benefits of a weymouth ?:confused:

[Jane.A]

I would try a loose ring snaffle, either a KK ultra or a neue schule bit, they have salox mouthpieces to encourage salivation and he will be unable to lean on the bit as he can with the current one. I would not try the pelham as my first port of call until exhausting the dressage legal options. If he is now working through more correctly from behind he will be trying to find a way to balance all this new found thrust, at the moment he is using you hands to support him, hence the heavy feeling. I would try some 10m circles to encourage him to bring his hocks under at say B and E with half 20m circle to join them, he will eventually learn to maintain the activity and balance himself but it will take a good many months of repetition for him to build the musculature to sustain that balance all the way round the arena.

[dressagexreo]

are you positive its the bit?

[Jamey]

I'd just use lots of figures of eight, serpentines, circles etc and prepare each movement/change of rein/corner etc with a half halt. I've found that half halts really help with a horse that pulls as you don't get into an arguement with them.

If you think a change of bit may help, I'd try a bit with a link (french link or lozenge) - my old horse became much lighter when I swapped her from a pelham into a french link hanging cheek snaffle which is also dressage legal.

[chickyd444]

I'd just use lots of figures of eight, serpentines, circles etc and prepare each movement/change of rein/corner etc with a half halt. I've found that half halts really help with a horse that pulls as you don't get into an arguement with them.

If you think a change of bit may help, I'd try a bit with a link (french link or lozenge) - my old horse became much lighter when I swapped her from a pelham into a french link hanging cheek snaffle which is also dressage legal.

thanks for your reply - what i actually meant to say in my thread is that he rushes - but he has indeed become a lot stronger - in the end i went for a vulcanite pelham and it has worked wonders - transitions have become neater hands are softer. and i have real breaks. and he is softening to the bit properly now, i only really ride with a super light contact now, and i feel a lot more safe.

And with regard to half halts i always use them they are marvelous trick i put a h/halt in before every transition pr direction change. so i quite agree

[Jamey]

I'm glad you've got it sorted! :)