AboutMaura Expertise I can also answer questions related to Hunter/Jumper, Dressage and Eventing. I can't answer questions related to any types of Western rinding.
Experience I have had 13 years in dealing with all types of horses. I currently own and ride 1 horse. I have trained him for 2 years.
Expert: Maura Date: 2/9/2008 Subject: does not like contact
Question My 7 yr old gelding has started to throw his head and fight the bit
when ever i try to get him to bend, even with light contact. Its not
the
bit, ive tried many different kinds, I have a hunter dee ring on him
now. I used to seesaw but i learned that was bad so I started to use
my
legs to push him into the bit and I half halt with the outside rein.
Even if I just barely half halt or have contact he tries to pull the
bit
from my hands and shakes his head. I try pushing him forward but it
does
not work. The only thing that works is giving him the reins and having
no contact but then he puts his head straight in the air. He doesnt
stretch this way and im trying to teach him to bend so this isnt good"
Answer hi...im sorry about that
It sounds like you're doing the right things. Have you had his teeth checked by a vet? They may need to be floated. It could be that something in his mouth is awry.
Otherwise, be sure that when you ask him to bend, you are sitting quietly with a gentle pressure on your inside leg and a squeeze/release on the outside rein - try it at the walk first. That's your half halt, but make sure you are asking him to move into the bend with your inside leg while using the gentle half halt on the outside rein. Remember to let go of that inside rein - most of us instinctively use the inside rein to turn to the inside. But really, it's your body that is asking for the turn, not your hands.
If this doesn't work, ask your trainer. Make sure he isn't sore through his back. Sometimes, this causes the behavior of which you speak. Work over ground poles to loosen his back..a minimum of six ground poles at the walk before your work begins. They should be spaced far enough apart so that he will stretch and be energetic at the walk. 10 times each direction. It can be a tedious exercise, but you will see the benefit.
