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"When I ride her she turns her head up and starts biting the bit"
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Dear Keith...
Thursday, December 14, 2006
My horse is a little over 4 years old and supposedly had alot of training when she was two but not ridden after that.
She is extemely gentle and very smart. The lady that sold her to me said I should use a nothing bit, but she never really explained that. I had a really good person work with her and he uses a snaffle bit but when I ride her she turns her head up and starts biting the bit only on the left side. She has been side tied alot but it doesn't seem to help. I got an oring snaffle with copper bit but that doesn't help either. Would a straight bit with a roller help or even a snaffle wit a rolle in the middle. I have adjusted the head stall alot and it doesn't seem to help.
Can you give me a sugestion please.
Michael G |
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Reply
It has more to do with your hands and release than the bit. It’s difficult to explain in a scant email, but basically you have two choices: ignore it and “stay out of your horse’s mouth” (and eventually it might go away) or work your horse harder when it’s not doing something you want. Horse training is a whole lot of trying one thing if something else didn’t work. The difference between a horse trainer and a plumber who rides on the weekend is that we have more ways to try and get something done.
If experience is any indication (after a ton of clinics with similar situations), I’d bet you’re probably hanging on and not releasing when you should – though you probably are convinced you’re not. Rollers and the like simply keep the horse’s attn on the bit – but, don’t you want the horse thinking about you? Most often when I see this, it’s the hands and the release – which means you should bone up on just that.
Go to my site, and click on “Training by Topic” (after clicking on the Training How-To tab up at the top). Fish around for topics like “Bits,” “Give to Bit,” etc.
Let me know how it goes –
Keith
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Reply
Thank you very much for your info I was getting into her left side a little more than I should. I also left the bit in her mouth all day so she would get used to the bit.
I will be buying your training tapes but it will be after an expensive Christmas lol.
Thank you again,
Michael G
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