Horse experts - help!!!!!?

Question

Ive got a 15.1hh irish horse - i loev him to bits but i just can't hold him - ive been at my new yard now for 2years and the grass there is better than he's had anywhere before - ive fenced the paddock off so that he's got less grass, stopped feeding him , teeth , back done! He's always been strong and danced about and i do find it fun only i hate it when i'm trying to warm up before jumping he gets so excited that he will throw his head up or down to get away from my hand so he can just go! When i'm actually in the ring at a show he's fine - its just at home ! I've tried all the different bits the best one was a Wilkie bit - but i cant find a horse one of these! Any suggestions:

I don't have poor riding - i was given this horse - who is the best thing thats happened to me because he wouldn't let anyone else on him - he's not nasty - just excitable - He's lunged - hacked out - cross country schooling - jumping - pole work - competes - goes for hacks on new forest - so he has pleanty of variety compared to most horses - and he's ridden everyday - i think he's too fit but as i compete at a high level i need him to be very fit!

I don't want to put him in a harsh bit - i was just wondering if there is anything that anyone had tried and it has surprised them at all - I have more than one horse this particular one i have had for 6 years and is by far my favourite he trust me with all or his heart and he's had a bad life before i had him and went from home to home - he is now 15yrs old! I have had lessons all my life and did have a couple a year ago and the women told me there was nothing she could teach me and she wasn't rubbish before any one says that!
Anymore ideas? i know its hard and i appreciate peoples comments but i have tried everything and thought i t was worth popping this question on - hoping someone will say yeah this bit is great!

Answer 1

He is having fun! You seem a kind competent rider who he trusts. So he throws his head about in the practice ring? So? As long as he is not smashing you in the face and behaving well in the ring and bringing in the results you deserve....so what!

Sod the harsher bits, draw reins etc...he is 15, had a tough life and seems to me he is just happy to be there with you!

Suggest you work him well on the flat away from the bustle of the arenas for 20 mins then pop him over one fence in the practice ring and away for a quiet walk for 5 mins before entering the ring. Relax and enjoy the fun!

Answer 2

One thing no one has mentioned is his diet! Have you checked his feed and hay rations? You may have your horse on the wrong feed and that may contribute to his anxious behavior. Depending on what you are feeding him- it may have to much iron or protein in it and be giving him extra energy.
You mentioned that you stopped feeding him- if you are going to be working him then you need to feed him a balanced diet that helps him perform his best. Underfeeding will make your horse just as anxious as if you were overfeeding or feeding the wrong type of feed.

Next- take him back to basics. But him in a snaffle bit and get his respect back. Some people suggested a harsher bit- the truth is it may not be a bit problem rather than a respect issue which I suspect it is. Just because a horse loves you, does not mean hes going to respect you and vice versa. Go back to the basic smooth snaffle, no horse should progress to another bit unless they've perfected themselves in the snaffle. The snaffle is the easiest bit on a horses mouth, if you don't have control and suppleness with this bit, then you won't with any other.
Stay away from contraptions such as draw reins, martingales, tie downs, etc as most people use these tools as a crutch. When the tool is removed most horses go back to the same behavior displayed before.

Answer 3

If he is being difficult on the ground, use a lead rope with a chain section. Put the chain through one sideof the halter, over the nose and through the other side of the halter and clip it as usual. When he is being excitable, pull firmly on the lead to correct him.

To warm him up, try lunging him first. If he is tacked, you can do this safely by making sure the stirrups are up, and then running the reins underneath the stirrups so that they won't be flopping all over the place. Have him walk (make sure he is warmed up before other gaits!), trot, and canter both directions. This helps him to get his head into the game and focus on what you want him to do.

For riding, get a martingale. A standing martingale hooks up to the nosepiece of the bridle and will prevent him from lifting his head too high. A running martingale also works, but I don't think it is quite as effective.

Another option is sidereins. These connect at the bit and connect back to the saddle. They are adjustable, so you can set where you want his head. Introduce these slowly. Start just using them on the lunge line, fairly loose. As he gets used to them, gradually tighten them up. These will keep him from tossing his head, but will also help him to be more balanced.

Good luck! It is always nice to have a good connection with a horse!

Answer 4

I have used Uxeter bits with most of my horses. It's not a harsh bit at all and the horses seem to respond well to it. I have a Standardbred I use this bit on now and he responds much better to this then he did with a snaffle. I think the joint was pinching him as he likes to play with the bits. I also put him in a different bridle with the flash noseband to help eliminate his head tossing when he was playing with the bit (he figured out he can't open his mouth now so he stopped the sudden head movements). Also try more groundwork, try free-lunging, etc. And when you get on-don't just let him take off, if he starts acting up make circles, make him stand, don't let him get away with running off on you. There are tons of books and magazines that can offer great advice for riders. There is a lot you can do, you need to investigate and try things, it will be mostly trial-and-error until you figure out what works for you and your horse, but if you inquire about the problems you have with him with horse-people at your barn or in your area, I am sure many will offer their advice or offer to take a look at him. Most horse people are kind and always willing to help if they can.
I hope this helps you! Good Luck!!

Answer 5

If you've had his back, teeth, etc checked and cut down on his feed then the only thing left to suggest is working him more! He sounds excitable rather than in pain or being plain old nasty.

Have you lunged before? It may be an idea to lunge him for 15/20 minutes before you get on him, just to take the edge off him.

Also, try varying his routine. If you jump and school him every day he may be getting bored. Try a change of scenery, take him on a hack or even a beach ride (if you have one fairly near by!) every now and then. You can even try loose schooling, it's great fun and something different for him.

I'd much rather you didn't use a severe bit to try and control him, it's much better for him (and you) to strengthen your riding and give him more work to do. Too many people just stick in a harsh bit to cover up for their own poor riding skills.

Answer 6

Firstly maybe you can get a trainer in to help you out. Secondly I'm not too sure about the bit but you say he throws his head up and down so I thought that maybe a martingale would help. Also check his diet with a profressional. Also its great that you guys have a good bond. Maybe try some t-touch etc.

Answer 7

Is he a stallion or a gelding? Just interested. Anyway, if you have an indoor school, chase him around it for 10 minutes before you get on....really make him canter about. I do this with my gelding but only on a day after he has had a day off or if I haven't been able to turn him out the previous day. He leaps and bucks about and it certainly gets the "bumps" out! Then he is an angel when I get on. Good luck. I agree with you wanting to avoid a stronger bit.

Answer 8

well if you have everything else checked then its going to be down to the tack. I presume you're using a martingale?
I too have an excitable mare and whilst I know you dont want to go harsh bits- I find shes a dream to ride in a rubber pelham - its not too harsh - particularly with a rubber slip over the curb chain.
Also - could i suggest you try riding him in draw reins- they give that extra bit of force on the head making him work off the bit - which a lot of the time horses tend to throw their heads around when being ridden in these
If you havent used them before - it might help to have an instructor around - if you pull them too tightyou will make it uncomfortable for your horse and make him overbend.
Good luck
xx

Answer 9

There are alot of herbal remedies around that could help your horse. They take a couple of weeks to start taking effect but often the results are amazing. Try looking them up online, it can take a while to find the right one for your horse, and they dont always help. Good Luck

Answer 10

my girl was just like that. she jumped and danced, she was not a dream to ride. i tired everything from harsher bits to vet appointments but the only thing that worked was these dvds i order from monty robets.

he's a gentle horse trainer and after putting his tips into practice i have a sweet lovable girl. on these dvd's he shows how to use a horses natural body language to become the top horse in your horse's mind. a horse follows and listens to it's leader, if you become that for your horse he'll follow you and do what you ask. the dvd's aren't cheap but they helped me get my girl under control.