How do you help an ex-racehorse to stop resisting the bit and go round?

Question

I have bought an extremely quiet and gentle natured thoroughbred who is great to do everything with except slow down/stop. She also tends to put her head up as soon as you put pressure on to slow down (on the lead and ridden). I was wondering how I could encourage her to relax and bring her head down instead of tensing up and fighting me. I am riding in english gear (a jointed snaffle with a hanovarian noseband). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Understand the nature of the horse. The TB has been taught tension on the reins means RUN. The jockey's have a snug hold and balance the way they do and it puts a snug hold...so when you take ahold of her she's hearing you say you want to go faster...and that's what she does. You need to "rewire" her. Teach her to flex around to both sides...gently give and take with one rein and work a little more each day until she can curve her head around to your toe on both sides. Work on circles, quiet, relaxing. When she speeds up don't fight pulling back...she has to learn she isn't doing that anymore. Time and infinite patience and repetition. Even at a walk and trot when she speeds up circle her. She needs to learn a totally different way - and it's like she knows French and you're speaking English and she gets every so often a word she knows but not the entire message.
Hope this helps.
Another good source of feedback is www.barnmate.com

Answer 2

JanH has the idea but i would like 2 add the worst thing u can do is to be impatient with this filly/mare as the thoroughbred tends 2 have its own mind, alot of things could be unsettling her maybe you will just have to keep changing the gear on her until you find what suits her best. Winkers which are a one eyed blinker may help calm her as it would keep her focused.
Also the thoroughbred is used to travelling on a short rein as it is only extended for 2 furlongs at the end of a race, and once it has been given some of the reins it is very hard to get them to come back underneath you, maybe u need 2 ride with shorter reins and over time gradually lengthen them? My advice would be to work up from canter 2 gallop,then over a bit of distance get the horse to slowly come back from gallop 2 canter then keep repeating for hours on end as horses are a creature of habit.
If that dont work you can always get the horse to fight you and let it pull itself into the ground that will tire it out and sooner or later it will come around.

Answer 3

I agree with Jan's answer and I have another pieceof advice for you. You said that she is throwing her head up. Try putting a tie down on her (a.k.a. standing martingale). This will make her stop throwing her head. Another suggestion that is a little easier is getting a set of draw reins. The pull on the bit is different and can be used in conjunction with regular reins. Also. try riding her in a hackamore in an arena and re-teach her the basics. She will have her mind on figuring out the hackamore so she should be a little easier to work with. If you are not experienced with these types of tack, please have a trainer help you. Even a snaffle bit is dangerous in unexperienced hands.