The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Not a whole lotta stop..... Need help

2K views 16 replies 7 participants last post by  Sara 
#1 ·
ok so my new guy doesnt have a lot of stop to him.
he neck reins when he wants to. but he is gate sour so I have to direcr rein him away from the gate.

I tried a full cheek snaffle on him this past weekend and I dont have a clue what I am doing wrong. He wont stop with that bit in his mouth. Then when I am trying to stop him or direct rein him, I hear him chomping on the bit. I can see marks on the copper bars of the bit now.

I checked and its behind his tushes teeth and before his premolars There is a slight wrinkle on both sides of him mouth.

Is it the bit? What do you suggest?

Not sure what to do.

Wanted to try a bitless bridle, but with little to no whoaaa on him, I didnt think that would help.
 
#2 ·
Do you have any idea what the previous owner used on him? I know I get yelled at a lot for using a curb bit but with a horse that is supposed to be finished thats what I would use. I think on older finished horses they sometimes don't respect a snaffle.

Sorry I'm adding to this :lol:
I had a horse that when I got her home and put a snaffle in her mouth I had all sorts of problems. I called the gal I bought her from and asked her what to do. She said she had a bit that worked really well for her. I bought the bit and didn't have any more problems. When I sold the horse, I sold her with the bit. It was a Myler shanked (curb) bit.
 
#4 ·
I don't know...What about a simple curb. Ya know the ones that have a solid bit piece with a low port and attach to the shanks without any swivels or anything...just a simple leverage bit? Arrrrgh... I can't get my fingers to type the words in my head!!!!! I'll see if I can get a picture...
 
#8 ·
I'm just wondering if he's used to another method or progression of aids...rein pressure is usually the last aid I use in stopping, so its usually the last place I'll look for a problem as well. The previous owner might be able to help you out more on that front. Also, I'd ask about the tack specifics: is he used to a closer contact saddle? Maybe he's chewing the bit because its not the sweet iron one he likes? It could be any number of things, but I'm guessing you aren't asking him quite like he's used to.
 
#9 ·
The person I bought him from was pretty much a horse trader and had used him as a lesson horse... thats how he got gate sour. From kids stopping at the gate and getting off/on at the gate.

I have found the phone number for someone who owned him back in 2003 - I might give them a call tonight to see what they can tell me, if anything, about him too.
 
#10 ·
Eh...it COULD be something he picked up as a lesson horse. Who knows...there are quite enough sour lesson horses out there to make it a possibility.

I suggest taking it slow; a full cheek snaffle is perfectly fine, you can try another if you'd like, but I'd stick with that level of bit at this point. Work on getting him to flex his neck, to give to the bit smoothly and softly. Do figures, do lateral work. If he doesn't want to stop, don't fret about it, just keep him on a small circle till he does listen. Get rid of the tension and he will be more amenable to the aids. He'll be less likely to lean on the bit and just plow along.

Anyway, that's what we do with the ottb's, so that would be my first strategy. If he's still uncomfortable with the bit after a couple of sessions, I might look into trying something else.
 
#11 ·
i just bought a full cheek snaffle and i switched my horse to it from a tom thumb. OMG...he took off with me and when we tried to stop...well lets just say that he wouldnt. So i put the tom thumb back on him. I dont care for tom thumbs either but he listens better with it the the full cheek snaffle. My aunt told me to use a mylar. so im gonna try that bit.
 
#12 ·
is this new horse the walking horse or is it the QH? curious, because if it's a walking horse you'll want a walking horse bit...?

I think you need to do alot of small circles and alot of whoas. start out doing tiny walk circles and lots of whoas, move on to small trot circles and lots of whoas, he'll start anticipating the stop, he'll slow down and listen more.... curiosu what type of horse he is?
 
#14 ·
lots of little circles and whoas. I wouldnt even canter until he starts understanding the whoa. You could try a slow twist, remember a bit is only as harsh as the hands holding the reigns. I would just circle, serpantine, and whoa... walk/trot only until he remembers how to stop.........
 
#15 ·
I'm not trying to be mean, but it doesn't sound like it's a bit problem, it sounds like it's a training problem. Most lesson horses don't have a lot of finesse (because all kids do is pull and haul on their mouths), but regardless, what you are describing is a training issue.
Put him in a snaffle (doesn't have to be a full-cheek... I usually use full-cheeks for baby's only, but no harm done!) and teach him to CORRECTLY give to bit pressure, and neck rein ALL the time, not just 'when he wants to'. Going to a bigger bit to get more control doesn't mean it's a bit problem, it means the horse doesn't respect a rider until there is physical pain involved--ie, he isn't trained well. It's also the reason why he doesn't stop. You say, 'whoa!' and he says, 'not unless you make me'.
Good luck!
 
#16 ·
very true about it being a training problem. I didnt even think of it that way. He used to be a parade/event horse before the guy sold him and a "ranch" bought him and used him as a lesson horse. I am guessing that they soured him some from all the different people on him pulling him in god knows what direction.

I will work with him on the ground and do the little circles under saddle.
 
#17 ·
I'm sure you'll work it out. If he's sour, just the simple act of going back to one rider should help a lot. You're fortunate to get a horse with such a varied history, I think once you get an understanding you're going to have a lot of fun with him :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top