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  Discussion on Bit suggestions for very stiff neck?
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Posted on Wednesday, Apr 11, 2001 - 11:57 am:

At the end of January I purchased a 9-year-old TB mare (sight unseen from an Internet ad--how crazy was that?) to be used for trails and ringwork. The former owner assured me she was "well-schooled." To make a long story short, she was half-starved and pitiful looking when she got off the trailer. We have brought her back to normal weight and she is now spunky with a winning personality. I have hired a trainer to work on basics with her. She rode her to see what she knew--and her overall assessment was "nice mare, very willing, good attitude, but stiffest neck I've ever seen and a very hard mouth." She will not give at the poll AT ALL. (And yes, she did race as a youngster).

She has always gone with a full-cheek snaffle (according to former owner) and has been ridden Western quite a bit. She grabs the bit and fights your hands the whole time. Stiff backed and stiff necked.

Question: I know that bitting will not CORRECT a problem. But does anyone have a suggestion for one that might be helpful in retraining with this type of problem? I would like to be a little knowledgeable about this when discussing it with the trainer. Thanks!

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 11, 2001 - 1:31 pm:

I'd be tempted to try Dr. Cook's bitless bridle for awhile.

When I was ready to use a bit, I'd probably try a loose ring, French snaffle, medium thichness.

With such a horse, I'd probably spend some time lunging with side reins lightly attached.

I'd also do TTEAM body work and some gentle side to side stretches - almost a bit like Baucher's flexions.

Finally, I'd do some carrot stretches.

I'd have the vet check for "teeth" and "mouth" problems and any other physical limitations that might be helped with some chiropractic/improved by saddle fit or placement.

Sounds like this horse is lucky to have found you!

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 11, 2001 - 2:43 pm:

Chris--
Thanks very much for the input. I have read your posts and you always have great advice backed by lots of experience. We had already discussed the lunging and side reins--I will add the other suggestions to it. Yes, she is a lucky girl. I don't know if I would have bought her if I'd traveled to see her, she was such a sight. But when she unloaded my heart just went out to her. She certainly has her moments, but she is with us to stay! Where can I find a Cook's bitless bridle? Can you briefly give me the pros and cons?

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 17, 2001 - 11:21 pm:

Dr. Cook's site is www.bitlessbridle.com

We own one and the only "cons" we can determine are that you do have to "sissor" a lot harder than you would ever dream of doing if your horse had a bit in the mouth. You will understand more when reading his info on the site. My husband has only had to do this once out on a trail ride when all the horses were excited. Take the time to read the directions and start off as you would with trying any new device.

Also, since the noseband is tighter and placed lower, you want to make sure your horse does not have any ulcers in the mouth. Have your vet show you if you don't know how to look.

As for the pros, read the info on the site. We and the people we know who have used it will have a hard time going back to a bit-if we ever do.

Posted on Thursday, Apr 12, 2001 - 10:37 am:

Terri-
Lucky horse - I'm sure you're going to be rewarded - I think Throughbreds are great for physically giving you a faster return on conditioning and training and they love to work. They tease you with those traits while they hold onto their tension which is showing up in her stiffening. Be patient, they have long memories. Keep giving her lots non-threatening work and she'll become more giving in her body. I would try to fix the neck inflexibility last after building up strength in the back. I think that if you rush the neck and mouth relaxation, you might wind up with a horse that lands in a false frame unwilling to reach forward to the bit. Working with Christine's great suggestions, give her every opportunity to be softer in the neck and mouth, but I wouldn't insist on anything in the neck or mouth for a long time.

Once she's learned her carrot stretches, I'd start giving her treats while sitting in the saddle. It's a great way to relax her and let her know that she can move around while she's under saddle. If she shows restriction reaching for treats with the saddle on that she doesn't show naked, it may tell you something.

If she's stressfree and comfortable lunging with side reins, I recommend sliding side reins, sometimes called vienna side reins. The go from D ring on the saddle to the bit and then back to the saddle at the girth (I loved going between the front legs to the girth but you could attach on the sides). The snap at the bit allows the reins to slide so the horse has more flexibility and can choose several good head and neck positions. The reason I love these is that thoroughbreds especially hate being held in everywhere. They always need to feel they have an escape route, and when given one remain calmer and more giving. The same reason that when T-Birds get guick or bolt, pulling on both reins only generates a bigger flight response. These side reins really help with encouraging roundness, strengthening the back which will help with the stiffening problems. You can see these in the Dressage Extensions catalog. If she's real cozy with lunging, you can lunge or ride over ground poles or cavaletti, which also encourages topline stretching. The more reason she has to use her neck on her own, the more she'll start moving it around.

Tons of relaxed trail miles will also help - and cost a lot less than all the equipment we suggest. If you do try Dr. Cook's bridle - please keep us posted on your reaction.

Enjoy her and keep in touch.

Posted on Monday, Jul 9, 2001 - 6:45 pm:

A few comments that I would throw in is that I used to have an Arab mare who would stick her head up and refuse to put it down-she was very fussy. One thing is that when lunging-use two lines instead of one. When using one line it distorts the horses center of gravity which snowballs into a very awkward position and so on. It takes some practice but may help overall with back problems. I would also highly reccomend a bit that applies poll pressure-such as a Bowsher ( I use a Waterford Bowsher and it has worked wonders) as it encourages them to lower their heads when aids are applied. Good Luck!

Posted on Friday, Jul 19, 2002 - 2:38 pm:

Something people forget is horses have allergies too. Your mare might be allergic to the metal-usually nickel- in the bit. Try a copper or aurigan or even a happy mouth. If she's not comfortable in her mouth she won't be comfortable anywhere in her body.

Posted on Friday, Jul 19, 2002 - 9:28 pm:

Terri,

A horse will learn to give to the bit pressure if the pressure is applied with a steady holding and then is released immediately following the correct response by the horse. A snaffle bit that is adjusted properly so that it doesn't slide through the mouth of an unresponsive horse (full-cheeks really are best and you don't have to worry about using a cavesson)really is best. There is no magic bit. A stiff, hard mouthed (which only really means that the horse has learned to accept the pain of the bit pressure) horse can be made soft to the lightest touch of pressure on its bars with consistent, patient, training. I recommend the AUDIO TAPE set by John Lyons. I have seen his method work on many of my older, rescue horses who are considered "hard mouthed" horses. The audio tapes are great because I don't have to park myself in front of the TV as I do with a video tape. I can listen in the car or shower or while doing dishes or cleaning the barn, etc., and I can listen over and over until the lesson plans are solid in my understanding.

If I must longe a horse in side reins, I follow Dominique Barbier's recommendaton of using just one side rein, lightly adjusted, on the inside. The horses will usually respond more quickly and willingly if they don't feel trapped by two side reins. The result is a softer give.

Holly
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