Does my horse need a flash ?

Question

when ever we hack out he gets very strong and when i ask him to stop he doesn't he opens his mouth so the bit doesnt work on him

is a flash bad or will it help the situation ?

dont say silly things like i shouldnt own him if i cant controll him

Answer 1

LOL! Know how you feel, I have been hacking out on a some of my cousins horses while she's hunting and they are pretty strong. Her big 16.2hh  warmblood keeps doing the same thing. I borrowed a flash bridle from her 16.1hh ex-racer and it seemed to work.

he isn't calm now but he stops opening hos mouth. Also try a running maringtongale.

Answer 2

a flash will help alot as it keeps the horses mouth shut. if this doesnt work i would try a slightly stronger bit. and if you have a riddign instructor i would ask them about their opinon on the bit as i dont know what your horse goes like etc.

good luck

Answer 3

A correctly fitting flash or drop noseband is not 'bad'...without knowing your riding experience and more about your horse,like age, experience and current bit/state of teeth , it's difficult ...but it's worth trying either a flash/grackle or drop....borrow one if you can and see how it goes :o)

Answer 4

a flash sounds like a good idea to me.  we use them on over half our horses - there is nothing wrong with them they are a great bit of kit!!!

Answer 5

Check his teeth, it might be that when you put pressure on to ask him to stop it hurts him and so he opens his mouth to avoid the contact. If his teeth are ok a flash may help as it may just be naughty.

Answer 6

It might work, alternatively you might need a stronger bit. I suggest you get hold of a flash to try once or twice and see how that works for you before you go and buy one

xx

Answer 7

A flash isnt an object that can really do much over all damage. As long as its put on correctly, it wouldnt hurt to try it!!! They are a great tool for horses who open their mouth out of spite to avoid the "contact" but dont allow that to confuse you in that they are not a tool for "contact" purposes.  Simply a small aid to help keep a horses mouth closed while riding.  I would go ahead and try it !!! It might just help you !!! :)

Answer 8

You could try a flash or grackle, just make sure it is high enough not to interfere with breathing and tight enough to shut his mouth without clamping it and giving him no room to chew the bit a little.   It might be all you need.  Plus stronger seat aids.  Whatever pace you are in, try to slow your seat movement to one you would feel comfortable in and the horse will have to accomodate you and come back to a steadier pace.  Practice this in the arena and be aware of your seat at all times.  

Answer 9

A flash wont hurt at all, many horses need them. Make sure you know how to properly fit it (the band should go below the bit, and the noseband should be lowered 1-2 holes.) All a flash does is prevent the horse from opening his mouth so he can get his tongue over the bit and take it from you. Most horses get strong in the field, I would also reccomend getting a good bit for just hacking, like a jointed kimberwick with a curb chain or a twisted snaffle.

Answer 10

A flash should certainly help with stopping your horse opening his mouth to evade the bit.  As others have said please make sure it is correctly fitted as if it is too low or tight it can restrict the horse's breathing.  

The flash is the quick fix answer for you but I recommend that you work on schooling your horse to stop the behaviour going forwards.  If you do not follow it up with schooling then you could end up just continually putting more tack on your horse to eradicate problems as they occur.  

Firstly you need to work on downward transitions at home so that he gets used to slowing and stopping with the minimum use of aids.  Once he is responsive at home then you can start to practise this out hacking.  Make sure that the horse and rider you are with understands what you are trying to achieve and can also stop.  Try it in a contained area such as a field or gated bridleway with your horse in front to start with as most pull less in that position.  Ask for trot and then back to walk to check your control.  If your horse is controlled thn try the canter.  Make it short and ask your horse to come back to trot again, making a fuss of him when he does it right.  Keep this up until you can do it easily and with your horse behind or beside another.

He will probably always be stronger out hacking than at home but if you do the work you will find him easier and you will feel more confident of your control at all times.  

Answer 11

flashes arent bad but i think u need to work on your voice commands them u can use force as a last resort cause horses tend to lik voice better then your not always depended on that bit :] ik my horse works very well for me :] i say hoe and he stops lik THAT! lol so lik maybe try some round pen with lunging first then work on that i hope i helped :] and i bet u can conrtoll him u sound lik a GREAT rider so dont worry I've had my bumbs along the way to dont worry :] I hope i helped :]

♥Can't Stop Riding♥

EDIT: i agree with dracodominia totaly!! do somme pareili!!!

Answer 12

IMO no a flash will NOT work. Stop riding him and work on groundwork. To me it sounds like a dominance issue, that unless you correct will just get worse and worse. Loooooots of groundwork will help. Try doing some Parelli groundwork. My horse is very dominant, but doing the 7 games on him helped alot!

Edit: I disagree totally with cowgirl, there should be NO need to put a harsher  bit in your horse's mouth. If your horse isn't responding to the bit, go back to groundwork...don't just get a harsher bit. Not only is it cruel but it's uncalled for. ANY horse can be ridden in just a halter and lead rope without any issues...just that most people think that a bit solves problems.

No matter what I did, my horse would NOT lower his head...he'd always keep it errect. I tried a western snaffle with shanks, and my eggbutt snaffle...but it did no good. So I randomly put a halter on him and rode him that way, and guess what? He lowed his head and neck the way I wanted it and would keep it there!!

Just don't put a harsh bit in...most horses behave just as well if not better in a simple snaffle than in a harsh bit

Answer 13

seriously dont use a flash

push down your nose then try to swallow, it is the most frustrating thing and no matter what anybody says it is cruel.

my horse is the same, i pull them into a small circle until they will stand  

Answer 14

A flash sounds like what you would need! When I rode my mare with a bit she did the same thing and the flash really helped.  She is still strong so its not a be all end all fix, but it helps! Give it a shot!

Answer 15

I think a flash might help.  

Answer 16

We use flash nosebands on a lot of our horses for schooling purposes. It gives the kids a little more control without having to go to a stronger bit or something like that. Just put it "snug", not tight. Great tool :)