Heavy on the bit?

Question

My horse is heavy on the bit and has a hard time keeping his balance when riding and so far we have fell twice because of it. Any ideas on how to make him stop??

Thanks! :)

Answer 1

it could also be neurological, EPM. I would get a complete vet physical and blood work drawn, stumbling and being uncoordinated are not normal,  horses can have balance problems, thats normal,  but falling down is serious call a vet.

Answer 2

First of all get him checked for back and teeth to ensure that he is not in pain at all.  You haven't given details of the falls but it sounds as if he is very unbalanced.  This cannot be in a remedied with changing tack, bits, etc but only with good schooling.  He needs to learn to carry himself in a regular rhythm and be responsive to the aids.  

Do lots of transitions focusing on walk and trot to start with.  Use half halts to steady him up and rebalance him.  To get him more responsive to your downward transitions do trot to halt transitions so he learns that he has to come back to you quickly.  Make sure you use all the aids to ask him to slow down not just your reins and rewards him with a scratch when he does it right.  Schooling takes a while but it really will work in the long run whereas changing to stronger tack can work for while and then the horse can need something stronger still.  

Good luck

Answer 3

it mite just be his legs.  Try a hackamore bit.  it's a bit with no bit and it puts pressure on the nose and they stop.  Works very well!!

Answer 4

This could be a problem with his teeth or his feet. Check the last time he had his teeth floated and the blacksmith out. If they have been cared for, then you could try changing the bit and make sure you are not riding too far on the fore.

Answer 5

my horse was really fast and unbalaned we put a bubble bit in put it on the 2 bubble aand turned her i put 1 of my rains tight near my nee and keep hold of the rain that is left i would try it because it worcked with my horse good luck take my advise

Answer 6

If you have ruled out all medical/foot problems I would say you need to get him to respect the bit. Don't use a more severe bit, or yank on his mouth etc. I've seen this done to make the horse lighter on the bit and it always has a negative result. What you need to do is both explain to your horse that he shouldn't lean on the bit and also get him off his forehand to help him be lighter. Do lots of lateral work such as leg yieldings, turns on the forehand, turns on the haunches, etc. If you don't know how to do these you can ask an instructor or look in your favorite training book. Keep his gaits nice and forward and do lots of bending, circles, etc. Once you get him moving off your leg well and he's still heavy, just push one or both of your hands forward for a brief second so that you don't have that weight in your hand(s). This shows him that you won't support him with your hands and that he needs to carry himself. I like to just pust one hand forward at a time as you can keep the connection and a frame with the other hand. Don't do this to excessively, use it in moderation with the other work. Good luck!

Answer 7

it may be a problem with his teeth, or you could try a bitless bridle which is good for heavy headed horses

try this site for more information.....

http://www.bitlessbridle.com/cat/Benefit...

it's says about how horses become lighter on the bit, try it!

Answer 8

Yes, this horse needs to be gathered up and his attention kept on what he is doing...he is lumbering along, pulling himself along with his front end when his impulsion should be originating from his hind end.  I imagine it is a combination of both of these situations...he needs to be collected and taught to use his body effectively so that he doesn't wear out so quickly...he should be pushing himself, instead of pulling himself along...and the rider should keep this horse's attention on his business...I would guess that this horse does not have his muscles in good tone either and should be conditioned to do what he is being asked to do..I doubt that it is his feet...you would be surprised what a horse can and does compensate for when it comes to shoes, etc when he is in condition and collected.