Brakes!!!!!

[Rachel C.]

Hello everyone

I have decided to put forward a question which I have been puzzling over for a few days; My horse is too strong out Hunting (please don't slate me ) He is a 16hh Irish Hunter type, who is a bold jumper, and is perfect in every other way, however out hunting, he simply takes the bit between his teeth, and we're off! He has had his back, teeth, and tack checked (all are perfectly fine) and my instructor can't see anything I'm doing which could cause him to get too strong- and I'm certainly not a nervous rider who is tensing up (I'm most at home on a 3'6'' cross country course )

In his dressage he is ridden in a french link snaffle, with cavesson noseband, showjumping I have to add a flash, and cross country we are back to a cavesson with a waterford "snaffle" I am actually quite a purist, and would like to stay in a snaffle, or rubber pelham, but the pelham (no matter how lightly used) makes him overband, and out hunting I would simply pull his noes into his chest as he gallops - In the waterford I can hold him ,but having to pull his back teeth out to do so is not pleasant, as I prefer very much to ride with light hands.

Does anyone have and suggestions for a bit change just for hunting and fun rides, he is well schooled, and can even be hacked out in company safely, it's just when people are galloping and are about to overtake he shoots off!

Thanks v. Much

Rachel

 

[Jay.o]

I am really sorry b that i am wasting your time because i dont have any ideas about what to do, and if nothing is wrong with back, teeth and tack maybe hes just excited !!

but what i wanted to say was what a lovely horse he looks !!!!

 

[Wally]

I know lots of realy good horse who get a bit overly on the hunting field, unless you hunt twice a week it will be a problem to curb his enthusiasm, he obviously loves the job in hand.

 

[Mossy]

Moss sets off in company on the moor. I ride him in a rubber kimblewick so I have degree of steering and can slow down when I have to but my usual response is to let him run, I hang onto his breastplate and/ or shut my eyes when necessary!! I trust him not to buck or turn over and he is having fun. If I try to control him he sets his neck and jaw and we do nothing but fight. If I let him have his fun he obeys me when it is really necessary. Courage mon brave!!!

 

[Rachel C.]

Ooh! I hadn't thought of a rubber kimblewick - can anyone tell me more?

Mossy - Letting him go wouldn't be such a problem, apart from I'd never live to see another day with his clumsiness! If I let him go he'd probably fall over the nearest twig, hillock or stone!

 

[unicorndanca]

Originally posted by Rachel C.


Mossy - Letting him go wouldn't be such a problem, apart from I'd never live to see another day with his clumsiness! If I let him go he'd probably fall over the nearest twig, hillock or stone!

Got a big smile on my face when I read what you wrote about your horse it reminded me sooooo much like mine. I also have the problem when he gets excited but a flash usually helps. The other day I was lazy and just put on my other horses bridle(without flash) for a quick canter around the block but when we got to the bottom of the hill home he went 'woooo hoooooo' and took off with me and all I could think was 'oh no he's going to fall and crush me' but thankfully using one rein brought him to a stop. He has never done that, that bad before so I just put it down to not having his bridle and promised myself to not be lazy next time.

 

[Rachel C.]

Well I rang Heather's bitbank as reccomended by a friend, and arrived today was a ported myler combination bit!

I have it on a 4 week trial (which is a good thing seeing as it costs 91 pounds!)

The bit is terrifying to look at, as It comes with attatched noseband (rope) and curb strap (leather) with a 2" shank which the reins attatch to, and a ported barrelled mouthpiece which rotates both ways

I haven't ridden in it yet, but Ferdie wore it in the stable for 10 minutes to get accustomed to it a little today - I'm hunting on saturday so that will be the true test!

 

[TheMoose]

I honestly do not think that any bit will affect they way he goes on the hunting field. He is in a natural situation, running with other horses. I had a pony who loved hunting, she would just go and would not stop and nearly killed me once, however I just learned to sit there and not interfere and she would always stop with everyone else, or I would just point her towards the nearest big hedge.
I am dying to hunt my little horse but I know that I would have no brakes whatever I put in his mouth and if I point him at any hedge he will jump it. There is nothing worse than a days hunting on a horse that is being a pain in the ar*e! Is there another horse that you can borrow to hunt? Does your horse pull up with the others?

 

[Rachel C.]

I don't know whether I made it too clear - Ferdie throws his head down, so that he can buck, and then tank off while I get myself back in balance. I hunted him today, and the myler prevented him from doing this, therefore he couldn't buck, and I had full control , whilst being able to ride with soft hands. The myler really was a lovely bit to ride in, which actually gave really good feel - I have heard the critiscm about them, but I think I may become a convert !

Pointing him towards a big hedge would never work - the hedges round me only go up to about 4'6'' and Ferdie is such a big-head, he would try and jump them anyway.

I think I may have had a little too much to drink at the meet this morning anyway - Mum reported that I followed the hunt horses over a five-bar wooden gate (but that's why I hunt Ferdie - because he is so trustable with the jumps)

 

[FreedomStar]

lol, seems like you had fun. I was about to ask if he is getting heavy on your hands. If he is, do this. Tug with each rein, a quick, sharp tug. so it's like this: right rein, left rein, or left rein right rein. It gets the horses to get off of your hands. I once rode a horse who did this, and my instructor told me to do this, he got off of my hands immediately.

 

[Shady_Indigo]

here in Australia we call that 'left rein, right rein, left rein, right rein' pulling business 'sawing' and it is very much frowned upon, true it does get the horse of your hands but it also deadens its mouth.