UPDATE POST 14–kissing spine. Recommend me a bit and exercises

[MaiTai]

Hi All,

I’ve posted here before about my (relatively) new horse, a 13 yr old OTTB turned eventer who I bought with the goal of the 1m (maybe 1.10) jumpers. He’s been a great horse for me–knows his job, not spooky, and just really funny to ride.

I’ve had him since the fall and we’ve spent most of our time in the indoor flatting OR outside on the trails at a walk, but now that the weather is (finally) getting nicer, I’ve been taking him outside more and working more “at speed.” And, well–he’s getting VERY up in the field and the canter is getting rushy. Not a bolt, but leaning heavily and it’s taking me some time to get him back.

I know 99% of answer is transitions (and lots of them), and stopping him (as much as possible) with my seat. This works inside, but when we have wide open spaces, he gets -very- excited. I don’t want to punish him for this exuberance. And I know that this is my fault, too; I’m regaining fitness, and I’m doing my best to avoid getting handsy–bridging my reins for a consistent contact, etc–but I’ve definitely made the mistake of getting the pulls. (And that doesn’t work. And he hates it, justifiably.).

Right now, I have him in a D-ring Nathe flexi Mullen mouth, and it’s perfect most of the time. Until suddenly it’s not and he pops behind the vertical and tries to take off. I’m not looking to solve a training (or really, riding) problem with gear, but I’m wondering if you had any recommendations for something just a smidge up that might give me an emergency break, if needed. I’ve tried a lozenge bit and French link, and the moving parts seemed to bother him (kept opening his mouth). He goes in a standard cavesson that’s been fitted by a bridle fitter.

FWIW, when he went cross country, he was in a running martingale, figure 8, and full cheek happy mouth lozenge–according to previous owner, he could get strong, but this set up typically worked. I have a running martingale, so could start there?

Also, what are your favorite exercises for dealing with an exuberant, powerful horse? He anticipates and gets excited–frankly, I think I’m boring him a bit right now, but I want to sort out the flat work (and my own stuff) before we start jumping.

TIA!!

[CBoylen]

Running martingale and some nice serpentines in that field to use your outside breaks.

[Rumorhasit93]

It took me years (literally) to find the perfect bit for my selle francais (the “French thoroughbred”) chestnut mare. And also years to learn how to ride her. We now successfully compete in the 1.10s and school higher home after years of…not being able to steer and galloping on our forehand.

That being said, the “magical” bit we landed on was a full cheek waterford snaffle for flatting and the same but a gag for jumping.

Exercises: poles (I like bounces or one strides or just random patterns around the ring to do at W/T/C), circles! Lots of circles. And also LOTS of half-halting. As soon as they give, you give. Then go for a few strides and half halt again. You can do this at any gate. I also like to do several speeds at the walk I.e getting them to take the slowest steps possible and working up to an extended walk and back. It’s a great warm up.

Good luck!!

[Fiesta01]

@Rumorhasit93

It took me years (literally) to find the perfect bit for my selle francais (the “French thoroughbred”) chestnut mare.

I’m confused by the description “French thoroughbred.” They’re wonderful horses, but they aren’t Thoroughbreds. Am I missing something?

[Rumorhasit93]

They’ve been dubbed the “French thoroughbred”. A cross between a French trotter and a thoroughbred somewhere down the line. Definitely not your typical kick-ride WB!

[Rumorhasit93]

Here’s a great example. Galoubet is the sire of Baloubet du Rouet - this is my horse’s lineage. She is spicy and quirky. Also has more heart and drive than any horse. Very much like a TB Part of what makes them delightfully challenging. Hence I understand exactly where you’re coming from. Hope those tips help!!

[Fiesta01]

Trying to read the pedigree. (Sorry, mine were OTTBs so I’m unsure of some of the abbreviations). Is DS a German Sport Horse? What is TF? Thanks in advance for the education.

[Rumorhasit93]

Yes DS is German sport horse and TF is French trotter. There’s a TB hidden in there. Of course, this is just one example. Selle francais typically have similar build to TBs - lean, light, and fast.

[Fiesta01]

Thanks for the clarification!

[PNWjumper]

I will often find the same mouthpiece as the bit that works in calm times, but with a gag or 3-ring (or in the case of the horses I have in Mylers, I’ll add a curb chain to the at-home bit when I need “extra”). Then you have the main rein to ride off of “normally” and a curb rein as your backup. Gives you the “pick up” without having to change anything else.

[foursocks]

Not to further derail, but…interesting stuff, rumorhasit! Both of my current guys have a lot of Selle Francais- one is a ton of SF on top, the other has it on both sides. And while they have the jump, one is super mellow and the other is spooky but actually pretty laid back, too. They also both look like tubes, not lean, mean racing machines. I always see these SF grand prix horses zipping around and think: where is that button on mine, lol!

OP: great advice from everyone. One thing I would add is simply to keep up with the personal fitness and definitely bridge when he starts to really go. My last TB was supposed to be a jumper but he ended up wanting to event, so he spent the last chunk of his riding career doing that with a gutsy kid. I learned how to truly gallop in a field on him- it was terrifying and really, really fun at the same time. I basically would just let him go, with a quick, strong half halt on one rein to check every now and then and see where his brain was at and to make sure he knew I was there. When he was ready, he’d soften into a great medium canter instead of a hand gallop. Lots of circles, lots of making sure I could move him around and not just travel in a straight line, move the bit around in his mouth, and eventually he always settled in and that wonderful TB brain would be more available!

We rode him in a Herm Sprenger Duo and that was it- he couldn’t tolerate metal bits- but his kid evented him in a running for extra brakes on XC. Sometimes I would start out my ride letting him canter if he felt too up himself- your guy might just need to go a bit now and then, too. Good luck and have fun- there’s really nothing like a TB. I adore my two boys and wouldn’t trade them but whenever I get a chance to hop on a TB I take it.

[IPEsq]

You can get the Nathe in a 3 ring or 2.5 ring or a similar mouthpiece with Trust with more options including a Pelham, I think. I would also try something using 2 reins with a bit that otherwise works.

Are you doing all your outside flatting in a big field? Based on the horse’s background, he might think he’s supposed to gallop out there. Does he get worked up as you go, or could you bridge your reins and go for a gallop and then find an area to work on some flatwork (with lots of bending lines and changes of direction) after?

If he won’t settle and focus, then I might keep the field for conditioning at speed versus focused flatwork. Gallops and forward trots. And the arena for focused work.

[Atlas_Shrugged]

Running martingale helps me with my 4yo wb gelding in the field- Or outside sometimes a rubber gag or western tom thumb used judiciously - and ear plugs perhaps ? Or draw reins (not too tight) on the bottom finger for safety - When my young horses are quiet indoors and fresh outdoors i find going back and forth to the indoor then outside gets them quiet - worked on every one of them cuz they get sick of it lol

[MaiTai]

All,

Thank you so much for all of your thoughtful responses and ideas! A bit of a sad update:

Unfortunately, the poor guy started to get even worse outside (bucking, etc) which progressed to head shaking and a general anxiety and sad attitude while being groomed/in crossties. At this point, I stopped riding and off we went to a sport horse specialist in hospital. Turns out, he has severe kissing spines (T15-L1) as well being hugely vitamin E deficient. Interestingly, he never once palpated as sore over the back, based on previous vet exam and chiro, saddle fitter, etc. However, given the behavior (the anxiety with grooming and bucking), plus his violent reaction (kicking out and shaking ) when the vet asked him to do an abdominal lift, she recommended Xraying the back, and we found it. All in all, knowing this makes so much sense.

A month of shockwave, Robaxin, Elevate WS, and in hand work with the Equiband later, I have my happy, calm horse back. Happy to be groomed, stands quietly, works well on the longe, etc. The head tossing/shaking has also completely stopped.

He will be reevaluated in another 2 weeks to discuss the possibility of restarting under saddle work. The vet mentioned surgery as an option given how much impingement there is, but we are starting with conservative measures first. I’ll post another post in the Horse Care forum, but looking for kissing spine success stories/surgery experiences?

[SweetestDownfall]

No suggestions but just offering support. I’m going through the same thing with my gelding right now!

[MaiTai]

Thank you!! It’s so awful to see them struggle. I’m just glad to know what’s going on so we can (hopefully) formulate a plan to get him back feeling better. Sending jingles for your guy