Crossing the jaw

[mu0ljk]

Dylan is a naturally fast pony. When we hack he will leave big 17hh's behind him whether in trot or in canter. I have been trying to slow him down and he was beginning to listen but now he has begun to stick his head up in the air and really badly cross his jaw, whilst sometimes twisting his head to one side too. :o

His back teeth etc are fine, he is just trying his best to evade me and go faster. He only has a loose ring french link snaffle and has a normal noseband on (cavasson).

Can you suggest something that will give me a little more control whilst out hacking? Somebody suggested I try a drop noseband?

[vikkig]

my horse crosses his jaw and my dentist told me i had to use a grackle or die, so i went and bought a grackle and it stopped him from doing it.

[~*sugarlump*~]

yep grackle is best

[Dancinglite]

This can also be very effictive.

http://www.dressageextensions.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=2312

[mu0ljk]

Thank you!
I thought a grackle but then I was a bit confused by the suggestion of a drop noseband. What would you use a drop noseband for?

Thanks for the link Dancinglite - at first I thought it was a bitless bridle until I read the description.

:)

[mu0ljk]

my horse crosses his jaw and my dentist told me i had to use a grackle or die.


:eek: Is that because you had no control?

[Iron Maiden]

A drop does the same job but won't press the horse's cheeks onto the molars are like a grackle does, so it should be more comfortable - especially if the horse's teeth are a bit rough. Mrs P used to do exactly what Dylan does so I rode her in a drop & running martingale for a couple of hacks. I got rid of the martingale after that & she's not tended to throw her head up since (she sticks her head down on the floor instead :rolleyes: Clever mare!). The drop is effective & stops her crossing her jaw, if she is good I stop using it but every so often she gets a bit impolite & I pop it back on again for a bit. I prefer to use a drop rather than a grackle, that said I have ridden horses that could still cross their jaws in a drop but not in a grackle, so I think a grackle is probably more effective on a really determined jaw crossing hoss! You can pick up a bridle with a drop for less than £10 from Decathlon so it's not expensive of you want to give one a try :)

[mu0ljk]

Hmm well in that case I think I will try a drop to begin with - not from my local saddlery though - £38.99 just for the noseband! :eek: Think I will take a gander at ebay....and at decathlon too. :)