I have no brakes!

[chocolatecakeystuff]

I've had to hoss for a while, but she'd been unsound pretty much since I got her - she's now sound and in work, I have her in a eggbutt snaffle, however the fitter she's getting - the less brakes I have. I know she's excitable at the best of times, but it's really starting to effect our schooling. I daren't do anything more than walking on hacks because I know we wont be able to stop. Any ideas? I've got my first lesson booked on her for next week, do I try a stronger bit or just more schooling? She's been back in work for a few months so its not just being fresh iyswim

[Pixel]

Well you'd better report back or I'll worry I've killed you! .

[Pixel]

That thing you said about the poles (her rushing over them and then running off), do you think she is getting anxious at all rather than excitable? It's just that rushing over poles and fences can sometimes be a sign of anxiety rather than keenness. They are too genuine to refuse but want to get the scary thing over with as soon as possible.

[chocolatecakeystuff]

Pmsl pixel don't worry I'm insured! They're getting the showjumps out at the yard tomorrow - I'm sooo totally jealous that she's not ready to jump at the moment as well!

[chocolatecakeystuff]

I'm alive -however I don't think I shall be repeating the exercise! Never knew she could get her arse end for far off the ground!

[chocolatecakeystuff]

No Pixel she glides over them gracefully THEN tanks off haha

[Pixel]

Glad you are ok! Oh well, it was worth a try I suppose, at least now you know not to take advice from me in future...

Well personally I'd be changing the bit, at least for hacking, safety first and all that. There's no reason why you can't persevere with your snaffle for schooling and use something stronger when out is there? If you feel more in control and therefore able to take longer hacks she might settle enough for you to go back to the snaffle anyway.

[catinbootz]

Try a loose ring instead of an eggbutt. Eggbutts have a 'dead' feel in the mouth. I hate them unless for totally unbalanced, novice riders.

Keep her mind occupied - don't get caught up in repetition. Try lots of transitions, school shapes, poles. Direct transitions. She is probably very bright and bored easily. Always stay one step ahead - don't let her predict what you're hoping to do. Don't always canter at the corner, use half 20m circles across the schools and make the canter transition on the centre line. Incorporate basic lateral work.

A good instructor should be able to help. Good luck!

[catinbootz]

Oh - and re the polework. Incorporate them in your schooling. Poles followed by immediate downward transitions. She will more than likely resist/pull/shoot backwards at first. Try poles then immediately into a leg yield or something as simple as weaving between cones.

[goodasitgets]

Oops just realised this is a late post but I will post anyway as interested to how you are getting on
I've found there seems to be two types of horses. The first type settle by repetition, so trotting a serpentine repeatedly calms them because they know what to expect
The second type anticipates and needs change to challenge and settle them, so trot a serpentine, then add 10m circles each time you hit the track.
My mare loves to anticipate so if I canter then trot and change the rein she's a bit "canter? Canter? Canter?!" I basically can't tighten up on her at all, she wants me to grab at her and I totally refuse to
Unless she's being pig ignorant say I ask for a downwards transition and don't get it, I ask more strongly, if she still refuses I use the fence or put her on a 10m circle and really say "NO". Then loads of praise and back to chilled again
It's just figuring what YOUR horse needs, is it repetition to calm the brain or change to challenge?