A few questions to ask

[chickflick1066]

Question 1)
Yesterday I had a 30minute lesson, but for the majority of it, Stumpy was pulling my arms out of there sockets. It was a nightmare, really unenjoyable too.:rolleyes: Any tips? It's as if she was leaning on me to keep her head up! My instructor advised that I should loosen the contact, place my hands slighter further forward and keep my leg on in order to get her to carry herself - it worked but I was just seeing if there were any more tips you could guys give?

She's ridden in a synthetic bridle (no noseband) and a full cheek french link snaffle.

Question 2
I took Stumps out for a blast today (was supposed to be just walk and trot but ended up being full pelt gallop, didn't even realise she had it in her!) but during the three paces she kept head shaking. I thought it must've been the swarms of flies we had to go through - they go up her nose and she doesn't like it. But, when we cantered (no flies present) she still shook her head forward - she was succesfully yanking the reins out my hands.

Is she doing this;

a) her teeth might need attending to
b) she wanted a loser contact in the faster paces
c) something else?

If it's b, when I gave her the rein, I struggled to regain any sort of control when she began to race with the other mare. So found slowing down a bit of an issue today.

Sorry it's so long, any ideas guys?

[Pink's lady]

Absoultly get her teeth checked. I've just had a couple of dental lectures and the possible damage is horific. And so easy to do. Get a proper vet out and make sure it's done properly.

Secondaly, make sure her saddle's fitting. Wanting to have her head down and headshaking are signs of a sore back.

If they're all fine, you're instructors nailed it. She can't lean if you don't pull back. ;) 99% of strong horses are the riders fault. We sometimes get into the habit of heavy hands without noticing it. You may be holding onto her too tightly. Or asking her to have her head in a position she finds uncomfortable (ie too high). If she's started perking up a bit and getting faster now she's lost some weight/getting fitter you maybe unintentionally holding into her mouth as you feel she's going forwards too much (i.e nerves).

Lenghten you're reins until she's no longer pulling and keep them at that length. If she drops her nose too far, push her on with your legs so she lifts her head. Get into a habit of only having a light contact. If she speeds up too much, gently half halt with your reins, and strongly with your seat.

Remember, IT TAKES TWO TO PULL ;)

[chickflick1066]

Absoultly get her teeth checked. I've just had a couple of dental lectures and the possible damage is horific. And so easy to do. Get a proper vet out and make sure it's done properly.
Ok, I'll get EDT out asap.

Secondaly, make sure her saddle's fitting. Wanting to have her head down and headshaking are signs of a sore back.
Chiro was out last thursday, apart from a slightly misalinged pelvis (which she sorted out) Stumps only had slight soreness on her withers, no other real issues. The saddler is fully booked for a while so the Prolite riser pad is my saving grace for a while which sort it out temporarily.

If they're all fine, you're instructors nailed it. She can't lean if you don't pull back. ;) 99% of strong horses are the riders fault. We sometimes get into the habit of heavy hands without noticing it. You may be holding onto her too tightly. Or asking her to have her head in a position she finds uncomfortable (ie too high). If she's started perking up a bit and getting faster now she's lost some weight/getting fitter you maybe unintentionally holding into her mouth as you feel she's going forwards too much (i.e nerves).
I feel like I am pulling her in the mouth to stop, and to turn. It's currently all rein rein rein in order to get my message across. If I try and stop her it takes a LONG time for anything to happen. Also, trying to turn her using my leg mainly is HARD work, she just p*sses off in a direction of her chosing:rolleyes:

Lenghten you're reins until she's no longer pulling and keep them at that length. If she drops her nose too far, push her on with your legs so she lifts her head. Get into a habit of only having a light contact. If she speeds up too much, gently half halt with your reins, and strongly with your seat.
Ok, I'll give it a try

Remember, IT TAKES TWO TO PULL ;)
So True!

[Pink's lady]

I feel like I am pulling her in the mouth to stop, and to turn. It's currently all rein rein rein in order to get my message across. If I try and stop her it takes a LONG time for anything to happen. Also, trying to turn her using my leg mainly is HARD work, she just p*sses off in a direction of her chosing

Now that sounds much more like naughtyness ;) A lot of firm and consistant schooling should sort it out. Make sure you've only got a light contact when she IS doing as you ask, and make any further comands (i.e stop) progressive and gentle. Give her the option to slow down and stop when you have just a light pull and be quick to release. If she doesn't listen, progrerssively make the pull harder until she stops, then release quickly. Also make sure the rest of you is saying stop too, so sit still, make sure you're not leaning forwards and use your voice.

It will be harder is you're a slightly unbalanced rider, or she'd had novices on her, as she'll have learnt to ignore what she feels throught the saddle (bit like a school horse). It will take time for her to start listening to other part of instructions other than thoughs coming sole-y through the reins.

I would still get her teeth done - a vet is better than an ETD, and no more expensive.