Posted 2014-04-15 1:06 PM Subject: Need advice please! Bit for a nervous horse
Veteran
Posts: 256
I recently got a ten year-old broodmare who was never really competed on. She had been run at barrel races, but never rodeos or competitions with the loud atmosphere. This mare was too much for her rider and she gets really bossy. I have been trail riding her and working her on cattle (no barrel work) just to calm her down and get her to listen. She is very light mouthed and stops just when I sit and say "whoa." Sometimes she gets bossy and tries to take off back home or go where she wants to go. At competitions she gets very bossy and nervous, and when we go to the first barrel she takes off with me and throws her head up, not even looking at the barrel. I noticed that she tends to chew at her bit like crazy and likes to throw her head up when she is upset or nervous. When we got her she was running in a Sherry Cervi short shank three piece dogbone, which we kept her in. Any suggestions on what to try on her? I am looking for a bit that will help calm her down, be light on her mouth, help keep her from throwing her head up, but keep her under control if she decides to take off and be bossy.
*On a side note, she works very well with the bit she has now in trail riding and practice runs. In competition she changes.
Posted 2014-04-15 5:43 PM Subject: RE: Need advice please! Bit for a nervous horse
Elite Veteran
Posts: 999 Location: Sunny So Cal
Have you thought about giving her some THE calming powder or THE calming cookies? She may just need a little help directing her focus and keeping a good sense of well-being. In my opinion, I like the bit and it is just going to take retraining and time.
Need advice please! Bit for a nervous horse
