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My horse keeps his head near the ground while he moves in a snaffle bit Wont go in straight lines2007-11-24 21:18:34

Now he just stetches his neck out and almost drags his head. The bit isn't too narrow. He has been ridden in a hackamore for the last couple of years. I know the girl I bought him from, ran barrels with him and used a bit.

Answers:

First - have his teeth checked and floated if needed

That's usually the cause of bit problems - evading the pain

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Is the bit a heavy one? I am not extremely experienced in bits (i too ride with a Hack) but you may want to try using the Hackamore and see if you get a different response from him. Did he "fight" the bit when you put it in his mouth? If so, you may want to check his teeth.

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As always, first get his teeth checked out if they haven't been in the last 6 months or so. If that checks out or gets floated and he is still doing it, it is probably just a training issue. What kind of snaffle bit? There are plenty of snaffles...some people's idea is that a thin twisted wire is still a snaffle, but it is far different from a smooth french link snaffle. Also, not to bash the GOOD barrel racers, but a lot of so-called "barrel racers" that I see are sorely lacking basics(both themselves and the horse). He may just need to be reschooled to accept the bit...maybe the previous owner liked to haul on his mouth with a severe bit and he tries to evade the pressure. Tons of possibilities. If it turns out to be a training issue, have your trainer evaluate him and see what they think would help and give you exercises to do...we on the internet cannot see exactly what he does, so cannot advise you on exactly what to do. But going back to a simple, smooth snaffle and doing lots of basic work(with him working off your seat and legs) to help him accept the bit again.