Dead mouth on a pony jumper, what to do? Only answer if experienced.?

Question

I am leasing a pony jumper, she is absolutely fabulous, she has a big jump, is a cute mover and is wonderful in th barn. However she was always ridden in a pelham before I got her and when she came to me her owner had just purchased a myler combo. When I first started riding her I rode her in the myler and she was fabulous, she softened through the pole, would drop her head and relax, and she would come back to me when we were jumping. Then came the problem, I started taking lessons with my trainer on her after I got to know her. The first few lessons I took in the myler, then my trainer advised that I put her in a snaffle. He is an extremely good trainer and really knows what he is doing so of course I trust everything he says. When I am at lessons I get the same effect from the snaffle as I do the myler, however at home when I go to canter her she has started bolting, what should I do? I don't want to bit her back up becuase she goes so well at my trainers, but I can't control her.

Answer 1

A bigger bit is never the answer to communication with your horse.  That's not to say it is not done daily, so it all depends on what you want to accomplish and if it matters to you.  It is difficult to understand that her behavior changes so drastically just because of location?  Doesn't makes sense.  Look at the whole picture.  Something has to be going on.  Also, if she was going well, why would it be better to change her to something that is unfamiliar?  Again, doesn't make sense.  Did you ask "why" ?  Usually, a lack of "control" means there is a problem?  her teeth?  the bit?  your hands?  not using the snaffle only one rein at a time?  It's just my opinion, but I don't believe in a "hard" or "dead mouth"., it doesn't exist.  The horse's mouth is not the problem.  Just look at every angle, talk to others you trust,  so you can help your horse and be safe.

Answer 2

I'd probably put her back in the Myler once in a while just as a reminder.  A lot of my horses have 2 different bits - their everyday bit, and then the one for when they're having a "special" day.

Answer 3

I had this problem with my horse. But a bit opposite. I got my horse and he came with a bit, (i alwasy find out what bit they are used to but rarely keep them in it). Anyway, he was ridden in a common snaffle. I then went to a thinker bit, a thicker bit means softer and thus makes the horse make mroe saliva softening its mouth. Anyway, I could do almost everything, but when it came to jumping or going faster than a slow walk, he would bolt and carry on. We went trhough the whole system, shorter reins with a knot, grass reins etc. (this was years ago), any way, we changed to a Spanish Kimblewick,

http://www.oztion.com.au/vshops/item.asp...

which is similar to a D ring, except with two holes in the "D". It has the same aspect as a snaffle when the reins are in the top loop, however, when they arte in teh lower loop, it puts pressure on teh horses poll, rather than its mouth as with a lot of harsh bits. It is super soft as it doesn't act on teh mouth, but on the poll. I can go from jumping to eventing to Hunter Under Saddle in Western Performance shows and he goes great in each class.

This bit also has teh advantage of being able to be used with 3 different lever actions, 1) erins loops simply like a d ring, slight pressure on poll, top ring, more pressure, enough for general riding, 2nd loop, great for jumping etc.

The bit also has a curb chain, this chain can not be removed because of the loops on each side, but iot can be replaced with a softer chain or a strap. Will need to be modified, it is also illegal in many riding clubs to not have a chain for this bit. Make sure you can fit 2 to 3 fingers between the chain and the horse.

Answer 4

Go back to basic work over cavaletti on the circle, do a lot of dressage over poles while asking the horse to go long and low with his neck an have a rounded back. Practice a lot of transitions walk-trot-canter-trot-walk, combine all of them. If the horse becomes tense in canter, revert back to trot and wait for him to relax. Keep your cantering sessions short, dispersed with work in trot ( voltes, half voltes and so on). When you establish a nice rhythmical canter, start doing a lot of cavaletti work with 5-6-7 strides between so the horse regains confidence and you develop a sense for rhythm, first practice straight lines, then bends. It will take time but you should see results after 3-4 weeks of proper training, just remember to be patient. Combine a dressage, jumping, grid work and hacking to keep your horse active, happy and willing to train. Your trainer gave you good advice about the bit, I ride my show jumper at home on a snaffle but compete on a sycamore. My advice is to purchase a very good book about training, it is called "Training show jumpers" by Pullman. It will help guide you in the right direction. Also have a vet take a look at the horses mouth, just double check that the horse has no teeth problems. Good luck!

Answer 5

You can do a one rein stop by disengaging her hind end, and making her flex her head to the side if she's really out of control.  Otherwise, do some stops, back her up hard, turn, and canter off again.  Say WHOA, back her up hard, and turn, then walk off.  Mix it up.  By backing her up after the stop, you get her weight shifted to her hind end, and also make her question if you are going to stop and back, or just stop....so she'll start really locking up when you take ahold of her face, and ask for the WHOA.  You can lighten a horse's face with a snaffle just as easily as the tougher bit.

Also, practice some bending/flexing exercises when she gets tough in the face.  If she doesn't want to flex, pull one rein to the side, and hold it there (so her nose is tipped way to the side, and she'll probably be walking in a circle), as soon as she gives and you feel the tension off the rein, let her walk out of it.  Practice it both sides, and do it every time when you first get on...it will limber her up and help soften her face to your hands.  After she's really good at the walk, you can practice similar stuff at the trot, and it will alll help your canter.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Sometimes you may want one bit for ring/lesson work that is milder like a ring snaffle, but a little more for riding at home.  You could try using the snaffle for lessons and maybe arena work, and the Myler when you need more in other places where you ride, or when your horse is more energetic.  But, if you don't want to bit back up (good for you, you're on the right track and also glad you specified this), here are a couple suggestions:  Try a bitless bridle so she has nose pressure instead, for riding other than at lessons.  Also, try a different ring snaffle; ie. if you're using an O-ring, try a Dee ring or eggbutt, etc, sometimes a subtle difference in the weight (millimeters) diameter or metals will help.  Your horse might prefer a loose-ring snaffle instead of a hinged one or a fixed one (you didn't say which snaffle you're using).  The great thing is, you can try several snaffle types without changing the main function of the bit, and probably be acceptable to your instructor.  Next, think about your reactions when your horse does not respond to your snaffle.  Often its not the bit.  If the horse is bolting through the bit, can you bring her nose around to one side with a direct leading rein using soft intermittent pull and release to bend and circle her to slow to a canter?  Perhaps practice in an arena until you can, then try it at home.  Use your legs for secondary aid cues, and once she bends, continue to apply your "go forward" leg cues to disengage her hindquarter to the side, in order to bend her body to follow her head.  Finally, think about what causes her to bolt or ignore the bit.  Is she too energetic/excited?  Can you do some ground work before riding to help this?  Is your feed too "hot" adding to this?  Try bending her at a halt, then from a walk, then from trot, before trying it at canter, do these in both directions before moving up to the next gait.  Hang in there, she sounds like a lovely pony and you sound like you're doing a nice job with her.  Best of luck!