[smrobs]

Chuck the twisted wonder bit forever and forget about headset for the time being. She is nowhere near ready for anything much past the bare basics of riding. I would start her over as if she had never been ridden and go back to groundwork. Get her bending and listening to you on the ground and work your way back up into the saddle. I can't say for certain, but I am willing to bet there is more going on in her mind than just being herd bound because for a supposedly well trained horse her age to suddenly develop such a serious issue as rearing (if it was sudden and she wasn't doing it before), there has been something wrong with the way she was handled before being turned out.

I really like your idea of going back to a regular snaffle and that's what this horse needs. Depending on her temperament and how long she's been turned out, you may not be able to expect her to just get right back into the swing of things. She'll need time to build up her stamina and her muscles again as if she had never been ridden.

Just start back at 1 and take your time. Work with her one day at a time and go at her pace, don't make a plan or a timeline because those never work. She'll progress as quickly as she is ready to progress and no more.

I won't say anything about side reins because I don't use them and never have.

Welcome to the forum .

 

[tinyliny]

Dear Jordin,
If you have spent any time on this forum you will find that there are many threads which are quite similar to yours; horse holds head like giraff , very uptight and wanting to know best bit or side rein/martingale to get head down.
Then you'll read that very few persons on the forum approve of the use of martingales in any form They are a stopgap measure that untilmately will create misdeveloped muscleing on the horse's neck and may teach them to come behind the bit, which is an even worse habit to overcome than when a horse comes over the bit.

I think your idea of the full cheek snaffle might be a good choice for her. working with her in a round pen to build her responsiveness to YOU, and to get her to let go of her mental obsession with the herd will help you a lot.
Little by little. As she lets go of that mental link and becomes more linked to you, it will become easier to get her to move forward without her giraffing.

Also, if the saddle causes any pain or discomfort, she will try to "run out from under it", so that should be carefully analysed (fit, back shape/strength).

When you are working with her and she giraffes up, pick up ONE rein and ask for her to give a little in her jaw while also asking her to move forward and put a bit more Umph! into her hind end. This will naturally encourage her to lower her head. when she does, let her coast for a bit and praise and keep hands and legs still for a bit of a reward.