Flash, Figure 8, or Micklem???

[everafterfarm]

I don’t know what to do with one of my mares. In a regular bridle, she tends to root, pull, or sometimes just lay on your hand.
We put her in a flash, and it really helped with all that, but she doesn’t like it. As in once in a while she will just stop and try and rub it off. Or if riding near the arena fence she will try and rub it off. She’s been in it for a few months now, so it’s not just a reaction to something new.
I took it off for the first time in said few months, and she went right back to rooting, laying on my hands, but was “happier”.
She is super sensitive. She head tosses quite a bit at the canter as well. Trainer thinks it’s a lot to do with her still being a bit off balance, so she kind of gets a pass, however it’s so bad there is concern about the reins ending up on one side of her neck.

Pain has been ruled out. Also I know some of her behaviors will improve as she gets more solid in her work. Trainer does not want her able to root though(open her mouth).

She doesn’t seem to hate the keeping her mouth closed, but really seems to hate the squeezing of her nostril area/lower nose.

So my question to all of you is, would I be better off with a figure 8 as they sit up higher, or would it just give me the same nostril squeezing? Or is she a candidate for a Micklem?

[supershorty628]

This doesn’t strike me as a behavior to use a noseband to fix. (Also, if your flash is squeezing her nostrils, it’s too low).

What bit is she in? How old/broke is she? What does she know so far?

[everafterfarm]

She’s 7 but is still fairly green. Started her for 60 days as a 3yr old, then she was a mom for a while. Got serious with her this past fall. She’s currently going in an oval eggbut(3 piece).
She’s very sensitive but responsive to every tiny thing you do. Have recently found a new trainer who “gets” her and has made me realize her “tantrums” and “outbursts” are not because she’s a demon, which everyone else seems to think, but simply that she is not straight and is unbalanced. Her, the mare, reaction to being unbalanced is to speed up, and if you block that, she goes into rather impressive leaps and twists. This is the most technically difficult horse I have ever sat on in my life! I am so very excited and confident that my new trainer will be able to help us. She says my girl is “delightful” and wants to work, just the usual program of my last trainer did not suit her.

Having said all that, while we work on getting her straight and happy, which will take time, I need to be able to control her in the event of one of her “outbursts”. Which is why it is recommended we keep her mouth closed. My last trainer tried putting her in a harsher bit for more control and it was a disaster. She does not like anything that makes her feel restricted, or closed in. Again, I love the changes I am already seeing in our rides with my new trainer, but we all need to survive through this long, but worthwhile transition.

[supershorty628]

Have you ever tried long-lining her?

[goodmorning]

I know you’ve said pain isn’t an issue but have you had a really good dentist take a look in her mouth & advise you on bits that may work/not work?

Regulate or Depo? I don’t say this as a quick fix but if she’s not in traditional pain, I’m having a hard time believing she’s truly comfortable - it’s an easy enough test. The mouthy-ness and leaping make me this could be a problem.

Playing around with various bridles is worthwhile after you’ve addressed the above concerns. Most people do have flashes too low, so triple check that.

At the end of the day it is likely a contact issue, which will take time and good training, but based in what you’ve said thus far, I think you are likely dealing with multiple issues going on here.

[tbchick84]

The Micklem might work since it helps quiet the bit in the mouth, so less noise for her. That being said, it does have a piece the attaches in the same area as a flash would, except it is designed to stay loose, not tight. They aren’t cheap, but it might be worth while to borrow one and see if she likes it. It does seem to really calm down the horses who just seem to fear that too much is going on.

[everafterfarm]

Teeth has already been ruled out. As far as possible painful cycles, that’s easy enough to check. When we were breeding her she was very consistent and easy, and her insides always looked so good, I guess I never thought about it. Things can change, she could have a cyst or something in there. Will schedule a repro check up on her.

Also have ruled out saddle fit, it was an issue but that was taken care of a few months ago. We both love the new saddle:)

Most of the time she goes really nicely while I work on my “homework” my trainer gives me. It’s just on the occasions she gets set off, I need to be able to get her back under control.

As for the flash being too low, I think it looks low frankly, but if I raise the noseband up any further it will be around her cheek bones, which is why I thought I might have better luck with a figure 8.

[OnDeck]

[QUOTE=everafterfarm;7695363]

As for the flash being too low, I think it looks low frankly, but if I raise the noseband up any further it will be around her cheek bones, which is why I thought I might have better luck with a figure 8.[/QUOTE]

IME when you’re using a flash, you put the noseband up higher than you would normally. Possibly as high as it will go before rubbing the cheekbones. Also if you have a flash attachment it may be putting the flash too low.

I don’t think extra tack is going to solve your problem, but you don’t seem to think that either. If a flash helped but just isn’t quite working on her face, I would go ahead and try a figure 8.

[fatappy]

I have a very bad rooter. She was in a flash and it didn’t help much.

She’s now in a 2-ring and it’s been a game-changer for her. When she takes to rooting, a subtle ‘bump’ is enough to get her to be respectful. I’ve been able to take the flash off with this bit.

Also key is adding leg when they take to rooting.

[Cindyg]

Well, I can tell you just one thing about a Micklem: It’s not very adjustable. The part that goes around their nose is pre-formed and not adjustable. If your horse has a fairly typical thoroughbred or warmblood head, you’re probably fine. I tried too different sizes, and had to send both back.

[Ceylon_Star]

Try a drop instead. It can be adjusted quite loose but still remain effective. Plus I think drops look better than flashes.

[jaybird660]

I would try the Micklem first and then the figure 8. My son’s horse wouldn’t be bridled until we tried that. Very resistant. Now we use one on him and one of our OTTB’s. I also use a figure 8 which also allows more air to pass.

[beowulf]

IME rooting is usually caused by a lack of release in the hand. Maybe you are “holding” onto her because of her outbursts and past tantrums?

I have a rooter too and he is just terrible. I’ve taken the flash off and switched to a figure eight, he’s in the same bit as your girl. He’s always been a bit heavy on the bit (he also has tantrums when unbalanced) and when he came back two weeks ago from a lease trial the issue had been exacerbated. I’ve done away with ring work entirely and right now we are doing trot sets, hill work and intervals training until he is strong enough to keep himself up and balanced without relying on the riders hand.

IME it’s not really a tack fix, it’s a rider error and strengthening fix.

[stb]

I used a Micklem on a very sensitive, over reactive thoroughbred and it was amazing. Sounds like it might be just the thing for your mare. It holds the bit steady and keeps the horse from mouth gaping, but is much less restrictive than a flash.