Re: Help! Runaway!

[vanhove@unavco.ucar.edu (Teresa Van Hove)]

Debbie,

There have been some good (sometimes passionate) discussions on bits and
bitting in the ridecamp archives so you might want to try a search of the
archives.  I'm not an expert trainer or anything myself but this sounds 
like your horse has learned how to avoid the curb action of the grazing bit,
so one possible solution might be trying a snaffle bit (eggbut or dee-ring.)
You can use a sawing action to get the horses attention when they are 
running through the bit, but they are an extremely mild bit otherwise.  
The snaffle would also allow you to flex your horses head to one side
and the other easily (just a little bit is all that is needed.) This is
a good exercise to keep your horse yielding to the bit.  

Teresa 
> 
> From: debbie 
> Email: mrwallet@key-net.net
> 
> This is the first horse I have owned that I couldn't control. As he is very fit right now when he is with other horses he thinks he he is in a race. The weird way he gets control is by arching his neck and drawing it in as far as he can. He doesn't open his mouth like some horses do. I was told to tie a can under his throatlatch, but that seems drastic. I use a mild grazing bit that seems to fit well. He only does this getaway thing when he thinks he is competing or when we are heading home sometimes. He isn't sore anywhere that I can find..Suggestions welcome..Thanks
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