Elllie and her behaviour with the bit

[Sonia]

I have Ellie in an Eggbutt hollow mouth jointed snaffle (if this is the right term?). Initially she was in a loose ring jointed snaffle but I thought it looked like the rings could nip her. Anyway - she's only a youngster and I wondered about her behaviour with her bit. She tends to be either really low in front, bent so that she's behind the bit or other times has her nose up and is above the bit. She also messes a lot with it - chewing it etc. I wondered whether this was "normal" for a youngster and how do I go about regulating her in front/ behindness - if I need to anything at all?

Thanks
Sonia

[Heather]

How old is Ellie, Sonia? She is most probably still teething, so to be honest, I wouldn't worry too much at the moment. Try to work on regulating the rhythym, rather than just head carriage, and you will find that things will improve as her mouth settles down.


Heather

[Sonia]

Hi Heather
Ellie is 5 - but which side of 5 I'm not sure - she still looks a bit of a baby though...

Sonia

[Heather]

Very likely that teething is a major cause then Sonia. If it persists, get the vet to look at her mouth/teeth. It could also just be a bad habit that she has already developed. If that is the case, it is not so easily remedied without expert help. Let me know what happens.


Heather

[Sonia]

Heather,
I think teeth are the only thing we haven't had overhauled since I bought her, but it is on the list to be done. (She was 5 stage vetted, but I don't know how detailed they go on the teeth).

I think her previous owner probably broke her in, then turned away as she doesn't seem well schooled at all, however she is very responsive to seat/weight and hands. She doesn't do the bit thing all the time. I'll let you know
how it goes. I'm working on getting her to respond as quietly as possible with as little "fuss" from me as possible. I can see that she is improving and she is certainly a quick learner.

After today I'm glad just to have stayed on. It was a bit windy and it took me about 8 tries to get on (her walking off from the mounting block) and when I did get on we did a circuit of the arena in "bucking - trot" (no I'm not swearing!) - so I had another near miss!

Sonia

[Heather]

Keep me posted Sonia. I should get her teeth checked just to be on the safe side.


HEather