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| Getting behind the bit | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 6 2007, 07:28 AM (233 Views) | |
| OpticalIllusion | Apr 6 2007, 07:28 AM Post #1 |
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You're BANNED!
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My gelding thinks it is SO fun to tuck his nose behind the vertical. He does it at both the trot and canter. I generally let him travel around on a loose rein, at least when he is behaving. He has a tad bit of energy. When he canters he will seriously tuck his chin almost to his chest and I can be holding the reins on the buckle. Its really frustrating because it makes him ball up his whole body and canter VERY round and up as apposed to forward, which then makes it twenty times easier to play his favorite rodeo game. So my two questions are 1) How do I keep him from going behind the vertical, and 2) how do I make him level out his canter? |
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| Brydelle Farm | Apr 6 2007, 07:50 AM Post #2 |
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Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back.
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Is this a new behavior or always been a problem? What type of bit does he go in? As always, rule out any physical or medical reason, teeth, sores in mouth, neck, back, or hock pain, etc.... If all this checks out, I am personally not a fan of riding on the buckle, OK for every once in awhile, but horses need to accept contact and be ridden with it. With that said, a horse that sucks back, needs to be schooled to your leg. Think about riding him back to front, leg to hand. Start at the walk and trot, and then progress to the canter. Good luck! |
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| OpticalIllusion | Apr 6 2007, 08:34 AM Post #3 |
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You're BANNED!
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He has sort of an odd history. He was diagnosed with enostosis- like lesions of the radius of both front legs, one worse than the other. Its been a long hunt to figure out what was wrong with him as it randomly occurs. But he is better now and I have hopes of showing him green next year. Because of all this he has been ridden on and off for several years. He has done it sense the beginning when we got him. (barely broke) I do ride him on contact, but when I push him forward into the bridle, he engages his hind end and tucks his nose in. Of course Im always being told I dont have enough contact so maybe I just think I have contact. So then I started to try to just let him go. That doesnt seem to be working either. He is cold backed and I have to stay off his back for about 2 trips around the ring and then he is fine. I had him looked at while we were diagnosing the leg thing, and vet said his back is fine. Has had xrays (I work for a vet thank god or this horse would cost me a fortune) of all 4 legs with each joint. I was told he has AMAZING navicular bones At least one thing with my horse is right. I keep thinking he is doing it because he has a very playful attitude, but he is now 7 and really needs to get over himself. Im going to try to tape it and see if I can get some opinions. The only other horse Ive had that went behind the vertical I fixed with just letting him go and legging him forward.
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| BABYGREENTB | Apr 6 2007, 08:36 AM Post #4 |
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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My horse has a tendency to do the same thing...when I first got him, my trainer put him in a happy mouth two ring elevator snaffle so we could just bump him up when he was wanting to tuck so hard (reinforced with leg to push him forward). It's not a harsh bit at all, but the action is great. I wouldn't say it's something that you should use long term or even everyday, but it can be a very effective training aid to corect those types of problems. |
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| jetsmom | Apr 6 2007, 11:53 AM Post #5 |
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I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
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Kick him up, and use your voice, like "hey!". Don't drop contact when he gets behind the bit. That makes it a reward for doing it. If you can catch him right when he starts it, give it short bump or jerk with the reins and kick. Then continue with light contact. It is an evasion. Make it uncomfortable for him to be behind the bit, and comfortable when he is traveling correctly. |
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| Dancinglite | Apr 8 2007, 09:17 PM Post #6 |
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We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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The problem with horses that go behind the bit is that they WANT to loose contact so to drop more contact than they already have is in effect giving them a reward. In many cases these horses do not work from behind and usually lull their riders into thinking what a light contact I have. Think about your horse as if you pushed it against an immovable wall. The part that touches the wall first ( head) must do one of two things. It either exerts pressure against the wall by pushing more with its back legs ( thrust) OR........it allows its head then the back to crumple, causing a lost connection between the front and rear end of the horse. Dropping the reins or playing with them in any way is at best a temperary solution and eventually the pressure build up will overcome these " quick fixes". What must be done to to make the horse seek the bit ? Force will not do it nor will " being nice". The rider must take control oif the forehand ( head/neck) with the rein length that ensures contact and ride this horse forward aggressively. Multiple transitions and changes of direction will cause balance changes and willy-nilly this horse will NEED to look for the bit to find solace in knowing exactly what you are going to ask for next. |
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At least one thing with my horse is right. I keep thinking he is doing it because he has a very playful attitude, but he is now 7 and really needs to get over himself. Im going to try to tape it and see if I can get some opinions. The only other horse Ive had that went behind the vertical I fixed with just letting him go and legging him forward.

12:31 PM Jul 11