Bracing the Bit

[GrungeEquestrian]

So when I bought my mare as a six years old this was what she had been ridden in...
http://www.chicksaddlery.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/87789.JPG
:(:(:(

The bit had followed her through what I know three homes. She was a "barrel horse" although she would not pick up her right lead to save her life when I first worked with her. So it's understandable that she had a hard mouth. She was hard to control, randomly spooked and crow hopped and I naively followed the advice of trying a tom thumb bit with her, being told it was mild :doh:. Although I had taken lessons for years I never knew how flawed the tom thumb bit was. I didn't know a lot about bits in general besides for the snaffle and curb.

Now looking back on it I should have just started from square one with groundwork and an o ring or d ring snaffle...but I can't go back in the past so I just have to learn from my mistakes and carry on.

So after my mistake I've done a lot of groundwork and my mare is very responsive to leg, seat and voice commands. The tom thumb is also gone. I also reintroduced the snaffle as well. She braced against the bit in all gaits and over-all just a mess. We worked more on flexing on the ground and in the saddle as well as some more ground work. I then decided to strip the head gear down to a rope halter and reins when riding her. She responds beautifully and even flexes at the poll and really started to use her butt. I rode her with just a halter for four months. Now after giving her mouth some time off and her doing everything without a bit I decided to reintroduce it again. I'd like to show her and I can't do that bit-less in some of the classes.

Now I ride her in a sweet iron o ring french link. She licks her mouth and accepts the bit wonderfully into her mouth. At the walk she accepts the bit great and turns on all leg cues. She also does quite well at the canter as well. However, when it comes to the trot she is a complete disaster. She will have a nice working trot that I ask for and then after about 10 strides into it braces against the bit and just really agitated. I've tried circles but they don't seem to be helping too much. I can't even seem to get her to give just the slightest bit for me to give her a reward.

I was wondering if you guys had ideas, advice and exercises to help her out.

[cowgirlup@idaho]

I will give it a try:

In an arena, on the straight, keep her collected, on the curve (the ends of the arena) let her relax, that's the reward. Do this wether she does it right, resists, etc, always let her relax on the curve, it's the reward. It will also be your reward as you will find this is tough on your legs and body.

Now, set the reins in your hand where you want them and keep them there, don't adjust to her resisting, hold your hands steady. Then push her up into the bit with your legs and hold her through the straights. Release leg pressure in the curves and give some relief at the bit with your wrists, don't throw her head away.

If she isn't collecting the way you want, more leg, don't touch the rein.

The more you pull on the rein the more she will brace on the bit. She will find relief from that bit pressure by rounding up, collecting, what ever you call it.

[GrungeEquestrian]

Thanks cowgirlup that's very helpful. I'll try that exercise next time I'm out there this week. I know it's going to take a lot of patience and a lot of time. The bit hasn't been my mare's best friend in a long time...if not never.

[zoel_222]

Is she sore at the trot? I hate to be *that person,* but if she works well at all other speeds, but braces at the trot it sounds like something could be bothering her, like maybe her back is out.

But if that's not the case, I second what cowgirlup said. I'd also do a lot of leg yielding and two tracking and forehand turns. Really get her to use her back end and the rest will fall into place.

[GrungeEquestrian]

Is she sore at the trot? I hate to be *that person,* but if she works well at all other speeds, but braces at the trot it sounds like something could be bothering her, like maybe her back is out.

But if that's not the case, I second what cowgirlup said. I'd also do a lot of leg yielding and two tracking and forehand turns. Really get her to use her back end and the rest will fall into place.

I've thought at that. I've actually be considering having a chiropractor out when I take her back home this May. However there apparently is this new thing in Illinois where a vet must be on site in order for the chiropractor to work. For this reason most chiropractors that are certified in Illinois have discontinued their work.

I did find a guy though with great reviews in Indiana that is 30 minutes from my aunt and uncle's place. He travels all over the Midwest and Texas so I'm thinking although he sounds great he is going to be insanely pricey. I'll give him a call though and hope that's not the case.

The thing about my "wonder pony" is that when I lunge her she collects herself naturally using her butt. She is a great mover but a lot of that get's lost at the trot while under saddle. After about ten strides her nose goes straight out and she runs off. Yet, at the canter she rounds her back and has a nice, comfortable canter. :rolleyes:

I'll work on leg yields and pushing her into the bit and see if there is any improvement. I'll also call up the guy to find more information. I already liked his facebook business page :p

[JackieB]

I think you're onto it. This was exactly Buster's problem, too. You couldn't have described it better. We have it about 99% corrected now although it's one of those things that we always have to be careful about so that we don't slip backwards into old habits.

I started from scratch with ground exercises. In a safe enough environment, I used a snaffle. On trail rides, he was still unrideable without a harsh bit. Eventually, we were able to ditch the shanked/curb bits entirely and he has been in a snaffle ever since.

We have done tons of lateral flexion as it looks like you are doing.

While I was ultimately after a soft mouth, I had to find a way to keep him from giving himself the release anytime he wanted. Draw reins gave me what I needed, but I got training on how to use them. They just hang there slightly loose, but if he throws his head forward, he just gets a mouthful of bit.

What you're dealing with, I'm virtually certain, is Trouble not being able to handle the increased speed from walk to trot and still stay soft. Sorry to tell you this, but if the problem is really ingrained, you need to be thinking geologic pace. Buster and I worked on it for years.

Anytime he got stiff, I just shut him down. We weren't going to ride that way. Of course, this meant working in the arena alone most of the time so that we didn't interrupt anyone else or hold up a trail ride or something. But otherwise, I did pretty much what you're doing. Soft and supple. When he braced, I would bring him down to a walk, turn toward the middle of the arena in a circle if necessary, and start over.

One thing that would sometimes get the message across was gently alternating cues through the reins (left, right, left, right) to say "Could you give me your head here and remove this pressure, please?". But if he didn't respond right away, I shut him down.

Lots of trying to ride with my seat and legs like you are doing. That helped.

I think you're onto it. Like you, I found myself thinking "This isn't working". It was, but I was watching a glacier move, so it didn't look like it was working to me. Fortunately, I was patient with no place he and I needed to be training-wise (e.g. dressage), so it slowly improved over the course of a few years until the problem is pretty much gone now with just the need for some refreshing/reminders.

Good luck!

[GrungeEquestrian]

I think you're onto it. This was exactly Buster's problem, too. You couldn't have described it better. We have it about 99% corrected now although it's one of those things that we always have to be careful about so that we don't slip backwards into old habits.

I started from scratch with ground exercises. In a safe enough environment, I used a snaffle. On trail rides, he was still unrideable without a harsh bit. Eventually, we were able to ditch the shanked/curb bits entirely and he has been in a snaffle ever since.

We have done tons of lateral flexion as it looks like you are doing.

While I was ultimately after a soft mouth, I had to find a way to keep him from giving himself the release anytime he wanted. Draw reins gave me what I needed, but I got training on how to use them. They just hang there slightly loose, but if he throws his head forward, he just gets a mouthful of bit.

What you're dealing with, I'm virtually certain, is Trouble not being able to handle the increased speed from walk to trot and still stay soft. Sorry to tell you this, but if the problem is really ingrained, you need to be thinking geologic pace. Buster and I worked on it for years.

Anytime he got stiff, I just shut him down. We weren't going to ride that way. Of course, this meant working in the arena alone most of the time so that we didn't interrupt anyone else or hold up a trail ride or something. But otherwise, I did pretty much what you're doing. Soft and supple. When he braced, I would bring him down to a walk, turn toward the middle of the arena in a circle if necessary, and start over.

One thing that would sometimes get the message across was gently alternating cues through the reins (left, right, left, right) to say "Could you give me your head here and remove this pressure, please?". But if he didn't respond right away, I shut him down.

Lots of trying to ride with my seat and legs like you are doing. That helped.

I think you're onto it. Like you, I found myself thinking "This isn't working". It was, but I was watching a glacier move, so it didn't look like it was working to me. Fortunately, I was patient with no place he and I needed to be training-wise (e.g. dressage), so it slowly improved over the course of a few years until the problem is pretty much gone now with just the need for some refreshing/reminders.

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice JackieB, yup Trouble and Buster sound quite similar. I'm in no rush on things. It is my last year in 4-h but I would be happy to just show her in halter and showmanship and work with her on the grounds. I'm not that huge in showing, and it has taken so long to get where I have her now I don't want to rush things and be back to the very beginning.

When I rode her yesterday every time she was simply out of control I did slow her back to a walk. It's the only thing I could think to do since she would not accept it at the least bit. She listens to voice commands wonderfully now as well as leg for turns, bending, and cues...however we still have a lot to work on. Towards the end yesterday when everything seemed to be going nowhere I would trot her about nine strides and then transition to a walk. She is soft and responsive for about the first ten strides and then she will just brace against and go the speed she wants. So since I was frustrated and knowing that I needed to do more homework to work out this problem I decided to ask the little bit she could do correctly and transition back to the walk before she braced.

We still do a lot of groundwork and it's really paying off. She understands the concept just stubborn and her mouth has been wrecked...so I know it will take time. This summer I'm doing a weekly group, riding clinic lesson thing with a local dressage and reining trainer. I'm looking forward to that as well and hope it really helps.

[cowgirlup@idaho]

This summer I'm doing a weekly group, riding clinic lesson thing with a local dressage and reining trainer. I'm looking forward to that as well and hope it really helps.

Now this sounds fun! I bet you gain some ground with that.

[AUEquine]

So she does everything perfectly fine without a bit, but with the bit she acts up at the trot?

If that's the case, I doubt she's out of allignment anywhere, or it would be the same without the bit. I would check teeth. The trot rhythm is of course different from the walk and lope, and is not as smooth. This may be causing the bit to hit her somewhere she doesn't like.
If not teeth, you may try a rope nose snaffle combo. This will help reinforce the bit cues to the ones you use with the rope halter. You wouldn't have to buy anything, litterally just attach a piece of rope or a curb strap over the nose from the bit.

[Oreos Girl]

I have a different suggestion. If she goes about 10 steps at the trot before bracing, stop or walk at step 8. Do that for a while then slowly work up the number of steps before going back to a walk. Will that teach her the reward is in doing what she asks? I don't train and I am kinda repeating what I have heard from others so if it is a bad idea my feelings won't be hurt.

[cowgirlup@idaho]

I didn't even think about teeth. Good suggestion AUE. I would have her teeth checked and also really examin how the bit fits in her mouth. Is it too loose, tight, small, large...you get the picture. Maybe just an adjustment with the bridle or chin strap is needed?

[GrungeEquestrian]

She does get her floated every year, has had wolf teeth removed, and the vet will be out this spring for all the shots and teeth floating so I'll make sure he takes a close look. I'll take a picture of the bit in her mouth to make sure it's adjusted properly.

[AUEquine]

Have you tried different bits? Both of mine are very picky... Fiddler will only work in a single joint, Cash will only work in a chain mouth (very small mouth, can't handle joints at all).

[GrungeEquestrian]

Have you tried different bits? Both of mine are very picky... Fiddler will only work in a single joint, Cash will only work in a chain mouth (very small mouth, can't handle joints at all).

Yes, we have gone through a circus of bits. Let's see if I remember them all...some were a fail from the beginning, head popping complete and some were used for a month.

At the moment I ride her with a o ring sweet iron french link. She likes this one the best of all the ones we have tried but still braces at the trot.

The others ones have been...
Eggbutt single joint
Full cheek single joint
d ring Waterford
o ring single joint
and that snaffle that looks like a half cheek :p it's typically used for driving...the name escapes me.

She absolutely hated the waterford and the eggbutt was too thick. The o ring jointed and full cheek single joint had better results but over-all from first putting it in her mouth...she has done great with the french link.

[AppyLover]

Perhaps Trouble is not the one having issues with the trot...She does both of the other gaits you said wonderfully and then starts the trot great but slips (am I correct so far?). My thoughts tend to lead me to think perhaps you start to tense or brace and she responds accordingly, perhaps I am wrong, but it is worth some thought since she is doing fine in other areas while you work with her.

[GrungeEquestrian]

Perhaps Trouble is not the one having issues with the trot...She does both of the other gaits you said wonderfully and then starts the trot great but slips (am I correct so far?). My thoughts tend to lead me to think perhaps you start to tense or brace and she responds accordingly, perhaps I am wrong, but it is worth some thought since she is doing fine in other areas while you work with her.

That's a good point AL. I'll keep that fresh in my mind when I work with her today and consciously make sure I don't. Thanks so much :).

Thanks for the advice everyone...it has all been extremely helpful.

[GrungeEquestrian]

:clap::clap::clap:

We had SUCCESS today! Progress is a great feeling...even though I know this is just the break through.

So today before the farrier came out I lunged Trouble to make sure her manners were up to par. Of course she had to be a turd and be perfect except for the canter. The ball of energy did her bronc show and got in HUGE trouble for it. :nono: She kept doing it and I thought this was a sign of a bad ride. The farrier was coming down the drive way so I finally got her to do one full circle around me both directions at the canter without bucking and crowhopping and we ended.

After about 2 hours of the farrier doing all the horses, I saddled Trouble up and put her bridle on with her halter over and lunged her again. She was perfect...no bucking and very responsive. So I clipped on the reins and got on. It was a bit of a fight at the trot but Trouble soon realized she couldn't put her nose out...she wasn't completely bracing with her nose straight out but she wasn't accepting the bit either. I kept the contact and pushed her forward with my seat. When I felt her round up and feel like a locamotive with all the power coming from the rear I gave some slack to the reins. The first two times she tried to brace again so we went back to square one. She then realized if she stayed rounded she got more slack. So we did a lot of just walk to trot transitions and with just the push of my seat and one tiny tug of the reins she rounded herself perfectly and stayed rounded without attempting to brace and run off. Her backing up also improved a hundred percent. She wasn't relying on her front and did very swift response backs on cue with no sass. Of course she doesn't have the muscles yet to stay in frame too long at the trot so we did it for about 25 minutes and ended on a very good note. She got a lot of pats and praise.

Thanks so much cowgirlup, AU, AL, zoel, Oreo and JackieB for all the awesome advice. I'm on cloud nine right now :D. Even my aunt who was watching said what an improvement it was.

[cowgirlup@idaho]

:D :clap: :banana: :greengrin:

[madelequestrian]

Check the teeth! Have a good veterinarian who is experienced in equine dentistry check her out.
all the advice you've gotten here is sound so I won't rehash it all, but another little trick for horses that are abrasive is to lift UP on your reins instead of back. I know this sounds odd and it's going to feel even odder when you are in the saddle but next time you go to touch the bit and she pulls back straighten your elbow holding your arm straight out and lift that rein up! For example, if a horse is dropping his inside shoulder badly I will lift just that inside rein straight up and lift that shoulder back where I want it. This also works with those really sassy mares that will make a fight out of it if you try and pull their head down. Lift both reins straight up and lightly jiggle them a bit (almost like you are asking the horse to put their head in the air) and after a minute or so the horse will think "this sucks" and put his head down. With practice and repetition it will become a habit and with just a tiny lift of the reins they will stop bracing and soften back up. At first you will feel like a monkey but I promise it helps :) Also works great when teaching horses to back that like to brace on you instead.

[GrungeEquestrian]

Check the teeth! Have a good veterinarian who is experienced in equine dentistry check her out.
all the advice you've gotten here is sound so I won't rehash it all, but another little trick for horses that are abrasive is to lift UP on your reins instead of back. I know this sounds odd and it's going to feel even odder when you are in the saddle but next time you go to touch the bit and she pulls back straighten your elbow holding your arm straight out and lift that rein up! For example, if a horse is dropping his inside shoulder badly I will lift just that inside rein straight up and lift that shoulder back where I want it. This also works with those really sassy mares that will make a fight out of it if you try and pull their head down. Lift both reins straight up and lightly jiggle them a bit (almost like you are asking the horse to put their head in the air) and after a minute or so the horse will think "this sucks" and put his head down. With practice and repetition it will become a habit and with just a tiny lift of the reins they will stop bracing and soften back up. At first you will feel like a monkey but I promise it helps :) Also works great when teaching horses to back that like to brace on you instead.

Thanks so much! Your advice along with everyone else's has worked great. She stays in frame so nice and it's easier to keep her on task. She has always been a horse that easily gets distracted but keeping her in frame keeps her concentrated. She has improved so much...I couldn't have gotten this far without you guys thanks :).