Ridecamp: Re: [RC] bits and...

Hi, Cindi,

My guess is you have a training problem, not a bit problem.

I'll tell you my experience. When I got Tanna last year, he had a habit of
tossing his head in the air in that I-don't-want-to-and-you-can't-make-me
fashion.  It was quite irritating. I didn't really have an idea what to do,
but I know why he did it.

Before I got him, he'd been ridden in an S hackamore. The little piece
holding the shanks together broke and the girl didn't fix the problem. So
Tanna discovered that he could toss his head and remove her control. Other
things happened and the girl returned Tanna to the lady she (and I later)
bought him from. So I guess he thought if he threw his head high enough,
he'd lose me, too.

So I took him out of the Little S hackamore and put a french link snaffle in
his mouth. Then we went into a round pen and worked on giving to the bit. I
took up all the slack in the reins, but not tight, just took up the slack.
Then I squeezed my hands together into fists like squeezing sponges. In a
quick fluid motion, squeeze and release, until he dropped his head. Then I
totally dropped the reins (total release), praised, and repeated. Until he
instantly dropped his head when I gathered the reins. When he did that at a
standstill, we graduated to a small arena and did that at a walk. And a
trot. Then a canter. Must note that I didn't drop the reins anymore, when he
gave to the bit, I just made my hands quiet instead of squeezing and
releasing. Couldn't risk losing the reins on a cantering horse known to
buck!

Now I pretty much leave him alone unless he starts to throw his head or
raise it to avoid the bit (or hack). Then we do the give and release again.
It usually just takes a couple of reminders to get him back to listening to
me.

And I finally moved him back to the Little S this month. (I could have done
it sooner, it just didn't cross my mind and I'd left it at my previous
boarding barn and I couldn't find it for awhile.) And you know what? He
gives to the hack, just like he gave to the bit. First time I rode him in
the hack, I put him in the arena to see if he'd respond properly.

You might want to try the above procedure.

The reason I used the French link snaffle was because the middle piece lays
flat on his tongue instead of popping him in the top of the mouth. I just
wanted the bars on the sides of his mouth, not to pop him in the top of his
mouth.

Funny thing is, he LOVES a 5.5". He needs a 4 3/4", but I couldn't convince
him of that. :)

Good luck!

April
Tanna
Serts
Daniel
Nashville, TN

----- Original Message -----
From: "Cindi Hein" <maligatr2@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, July 26, 2002 5:09 PM
Subject: [RC] bits and...


I'm still trying to find something that will work for my horse.  It has been
trial and error to find out what will work.
I have always used just a D-ring snaffle bit for my horses but with this
horse,  he tends to hollow out his back in them.  He also just hates taking
the bit.  So, it's a struggle because I don't want to hit his teeth in the
process of him fighting me.
I got a Tellington-Jones roller bit which - once in his mouth,  he goes
nicely in.
He rounds his back and gives to it great.
But,  I got him a S-Hack  (for those of you that I got private emails from,
you've been of great help - keep the help coming) and thought this would be
the answer.  He could eat and drink and I wouldn't have to fight him to get
a bit in.
Well,  don't think it's going to work.  He's fine with it if we're just out
walking and he's not trotting with other horses.  Otherwise,  he raises his
head up high and I can feel his back all hollowed out.  And he shakes his
head horribly.
So,  finally my question is... What type of bits are all of you using out
there and why?
Cindi

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