Change of bit has meant lots of problems!!!

[uk_ghost_rider]

Ive been getting on great with my horse untill i wanted to try dressarge. That ment a change in bit to the snaffle she is not strong and does not pull but is trying to lean which i use half halts and drop the rains for a few seconds. She now does not bend to the right and when troting on the left rien bends to the right. she is fine when bending to the right. But wont tern left without bending to the right(very confusing). She is aslo is throuing her head about an lot whenever i use half halts or any movement with my hands she does not do this in her other bit, (she was rode in a martingal but as for wanting to do dressarge this has gone as well). The part owner has suggested that we put back on the draw reins (which she use to ride in a lot before i was about). All these problems have been around before the tossing of the head, the owner put the martingal on. The leaning on the hand she changed the bit. She was not bending properly when i first started to ride her but that soon got sorted out; it was not as bad as know though. Can anyone help as i would like try dressage and ride her in the snaffle as she has a very soft mouth.

[liz--y]

sorry just wanted to ask what bit was she in before? and i wouldnt result to draw reins

[fionahogg]

Get her teeth checked first before you do anything else. Also check her back and saddle fit - remember dressage requires a lot of the back muscles so any discomfort has to be resolved asap.
Sounds like she needs re-schooling in a snaffle. Once you're sure she's 100% physically, work on gentle suppling and stretching exercises, pushing her forwards into a soft contact and a long low outline. Keep her straight (to be straight on a circle she needs to be bending correctly - hope this makes sense :)! Think of this - a circle is a curve. If she was moving with a straight body on a curve then she would be crooked). Lots of gentle stretching and suppling will encourage her to stretch forwards into the contact. Keep only a light contact and use the legs to create impulsion - i.e. longer strides not quicker. Use bum squeezes to slow her down as opposed to a rein aid. It will take time especially if she has been ridden in a strong bit previously. How did she work in the old bit?
It will be hard work for her so keep schooling sessions short and include frequent stretches on a free rein.

Hope this helps!

Fiona

[Dizzy]

What was her other bit? and what type of snaffle are you using now? I agree that she should be checked out physically and tack, if you haven't already. If all those areas are fine, then you can get down to the business of getting a better response.

Draw reins are best avoided, as they ask for an unnatural outline and tend to encourage the horse to over bend and do not help the horse to step under with its back legs. So I'm sure they would just add to your problem. Fiona has given very good advise, riding her up into the bit, and using your body and leg aids mainly at first so she accepts the bit willing is the tack I would take, though it takes time, its definitely worth it.

Keep us posted and good luck, I love schooling and dressage, though I've never yet managed to do any of the advanced stuff I do hope to in the future, I have high hopes for my youngster (though she has to be backed yet!!)

Lesley

[clip-clop-oops-crash]

it seems like a lot of 'quick fix' solutions have been used on this horse with regard 2 changing her tack + bit, now u need 2 try find out what the actual problem is which makes her behave this way :)

[uk_ghost_rider]

hi her normal bit is the flexie bit continental 3 ring gag wich i ride her on the second from bottem ring, she worked fine in this when i started riding her she had problems bending but not half as bad as with the snaffle in, she did shake her head a bit aslo normally when i asked her to stop, again this was not half as bad as i had the martinagl on her. I have tried a eggbutt and a rubber eggbutt, both she hated. I have had her back and tack checked but not her teeth so ill sort that one out.

Jenny

[fionahogg]

Hi Jenny. I would put her in the martingale and the snaffle and see if she still persistently tosses her head. If she tosses her head as much with the martingale then she is obviously objecting to the bit itself for some reason as opposed to something physical. If you are in a single jointed snaffle try a double-jointed or a straight bar one as some horses strongly object to the nutcracker action. The reason could also be because you've gone from a flexi bit to a metal bit - try a flexi snaffle. You say she objects when you use a half halt - are you sure you're riding with sympathetic hands?