Vosal Question

[Cheryl Newbanks <horsetrails@inficad.com>]

Hi group!  Well I've got a training question that I think is endurance
related because it is with regards to the vosal.  My new horse can not
tolerate a bit, he goes ok in a vosal but tosses his head a lot in either.
With a bit no matter what type, broken, low port, no port, thick, thin,
etc.. his head is in constant motion the whole time you are riding him.  I
am going to get his teeth checked first.  But with a vosal it cuts back to
about 1/2 the time your out on him, on a 10 miler he is still tossing and
throwing his head at the end too.  With the vosal it is only when you check
him to rate his speed or try to stop.  He listens but throws his head way
up.  He also has a habit thing going where he'll stretch his neck way out
that is the first que that he is next going to throw it way up in your
face.  I can stop him from throwing it way up if I catch him on the first
que by half halting him on one rein.  My instincts tell me if I put a
standing martingale on him for a short period of time say a couple months,
and not for competition only for conditioning, that this may get him over
this habit.  But can I do this with a vosal?  I love the vosal on him cept
for the tossing thing.  I bought a real thin nose band and head stall that
I could rig higher then where the vosal contacts him.  Has anyone every
rigged a standing martingale with their vosal?  If so please write and tell
me how it worked.  Other then Kodi's head toss habit he is a wonderful
horse, so I think I really lucked out this time!  Thanks!
   
                                  Cheryl Newbanks 
~~~           ~~ ^ ^        SW Region
~~~\      _ ~~/ /\ /        Buckeye, AZ
       (   ) __    ) ' '        horsetrails@inficad.com
       //          \\ 
      //            \\
    **             **