REALLY leaning on the bit!

[mu0ljk]

Hi,

I have recently acquired a horse on loan who is very unift and rather on the skinny side. I have been feeding him up and walking him out in hand and I have been riding him for the last 2 weeks and have started to add in short bursts of trot this week. He is coping with this amount of exercise and he is much perkier and generally better in himself. The only problem I am having is that he really hangs on the bit. I have tried playing with the reins which seems to have no effect. Giving the reins just invoilves him taking it and leaning just the same! I am trying to push him forward with my legs and seat which tends to simply result in him jogging!

Does anyone have any advice? He only leans in walk and it is a very lazy walk. He doesn't try to evade my but he did set his head against me today when I was asking him to lighten.

I am riding him in an eggbutt snaffle I don't know if perhaps a loose ring french link snaffle might give a bit more play? Someone suggested a martingale as well? What do you think?! Cos I don't know how much my arms can take!! :o

ps his teeth were done yesterday and were fine! ;)

[Tootsie4U]

Im 99.9% sure that he leans because his rider leaned back. If a horse never gets a release from pressure, they'll learn to lean into it to dull the pain.

All you can do to show him it doesnt have to be that way is ride him hard and on the buckle. If he sees that he has nothing to lean on but yet has to really get his back end into moving along, he'll have to raise his head off the floor and he'll be really surprised that you're not there to check him! He'll be confused at first, but be persistent. Two or three weeks down the road, he'll be light as a feather.

[Jessey]

A martingale will stop him from poking his nose in the air but unless you have this specific problem then I can't see it would help. Leaning on the bit is a dificult one, you could use a different bit that will make it more uncomfortable for him to do it or a bit that is more comfotable if hes leaning because he dosent like the movement or something, else its just time and training. If hes really unfit he could be struggling to keep his head set where you want it as those muscles havent been used in a while. Another thing to try is rein backs as this will help him lighten in front and get off the bit.

J

[doris]

If he is quiet, and you have a safe menage to ride in, you could try a bitless/sidepull type bridle. This will give him nothing at all to lean on. If you are very confident, and haven't got the loan of a sidepull, then you could try a well fitted headcollar with rope reins. But please try this with care, in a menage, and have someone with you.

[mu0ljk]

Thanks for your replies! I hacked hime out yesterday with someone giving me tips as we were going round. I did try trowing the reins at him whilst keeping my legs on and while it didn't work imediately I think if I persevere it may well help. I also tried asking for flexion side to side from the neck and that also helped.

I like the idea of the bitless bridle - he is a very quiet type (at the moment anyway he may liven up a little when he feels fitter!) and i will keep that in mind if I find I am still having problems in a few weeks. Its quite logical - if he leans on the bit take the bit away!! I like it!

Thanks for your help I will let you know if he gets better!