Horse tanking when excited

[Greyhorses]

What would you do in this situation please?

Normally lovely horse gets very excited doing fast work or hacking in groups.
Head gets gradually higher and higher until I loose control and can’t seem to get it back down to the point of control very easily.

Once calm is resumed all goes back to normal.

Normal tack, no issues and just a loose ring snaffle at the moment.

Are there any tricks to regain a bit of control at times like this?

[Arjunsummer]

I'd go back to hacking in walk and only walk.

[Greyhorses]

Thanks Arjun.

We have tried that already but as soon as faster work crops back up the little pocket rocket decides to get silly rather than listen.

I do need to trot and canter at some point although we normally need a good 15-20mins walk to calm back down again!

[HebeJeeby]

We have a new pony which has being tanking a lot both with me and dd. We had chiro out, new saddle etc... and she still did it. Basically she was testing us and we realised we needed to be much more firm with her and.... we got a stronger bit. She was in a snaffle too. I rang the bit bank and discussed the issues - head raising and tossing etc... they recommended a medium port Universal bit which we’ve put on the stronger hole. She still tried to tank off with us but a combination of a stronger bit and us being more confident with her has fixed the problem (touch wood) so far. Is it worth trying a different bit until your horse starts listening to you? Also, have you tried a martingale? I know they’re not everyone’s cup of tea but it might stop her putting her head up and avoiding the bit?

[Gaspodethetalkingdog]

Back issues? Have her checked by proper equine vet perhaps

[Greyhorses]

I don’t think so gaspo as she’s just had a full Mot, vet check, dental and physio after the last round of broncing we had

Instructor thinks it’s pure excitement and she knows how to evade the contact in order to make sure she gets where she wants to go sadly!

[DraughtyWindow]

Try a Neue Schule Universal with a grackle and a running martingale. Does she get worse the more you pull? Separation anxiety? Either that or stay at the front and send her forwards. When she’s tired, send her forwards again.

[Barbaro]

Probably just pure excitement. I can't hack my gelding with other geldings as he just sees it as a challenge to race. He's fine if we go on a hack with a single, sensible mare though, just sticks to her like glue.

Mares and geldings are a no go too, he goes to attack the geldings if they go near the mares. Only bites but still..

[Booboostwo]

Running martingale and/or different bit, but make sure you try new tack out in a safe environment, e.g. arena.

Also try cantering on a really uphill track and make sure he's first so not competing with other horses.

Can the instructor come with you on a hack to make sure you're sitting up and half halting?

[Cariadxx]

I'd try a standing martingale for the head raising. I find running ones can inhibit turning their head sideways if you need to stop and turn them in any emergency as they're restricting the reins.