Strong!

[Janette]

Hi, this is my first time on this board.
We have a pony who is beginning to listen and relax when schooling.  However, she is Very strong, heavy in the hand and pulls desperately when we take her out to a show.  So the whole picture is one of tenseness, both on my daughter's part who is 12, and the pony's.  She is ridden with 2 reins on the pelham, when shown, and in a mullen mouthed snaffle when schooled.
If she is relaxing with with the snaffle, what are we doing wrong?   I would prefer to show her in the snaffle, but I just don't dare.
Somebody suggested a Sam MArsh Pelham, as they had the same problem with theirr horse.  
Guess which one is us in the pic. :(  

[nix]

Hi Janette and welcome to EE

I'd guess it's the coloured? You say that the pony is just starting to concentrate and relax down during schooling at home, and that she is getting excited and more forward when at shows where there's lots of excitement and distractions? You say that your daughter is also tense, so it sounds like there is a bit of a vicious circle going on ... one feeding off the other.

How old is the pony? Has she done much in the past? I think I'd leave the bitting alone and perhaps try taking them to shows just to watch and soak up the atmosphere before entering any more classes. Or perhaps an experienced friend who can remain calm and help the pony settle could ride her for you a couple of times at shows?

Just as an aside, although the pony's fine at home, I presume her saddle fit, back, teeth and all the usual have been checked just in case?

Good luck, hope this helps!

[Heather]

Good reply, Nicki. To ad to this, had the pony been ridden in a pelham before? If the rider is pulling back and using the bit as brakes, ithe pony will either tend to overbend to try to avoid the compression of the lower jaw between bit and curb chain, or try to close the jaw on the bit and lean, getting very strong in the process and also avoiding the compression in this way too. Be very careful when using the pelham that this isn't the case. Can you describe in more detail how it feels?

Heather

[Janette]

Like a ton of bricks in your hands,  Despite squeezing the reins and asking politely.  ITs defeinately something cominf through from the rider, very good point, because when we do in'hand classes, things calm down and she goes beautifully.  However, she does feel very forward going, as if, she is waiteing for you to relax, (even in-hand)then she's going to do 'something', or go 'somewhere' very fast!
The schooling is coming along, and we had a much better show at the next show we went to, much more controlled.
Luckily, we do more in-hands, than ridden.
previously, she was owned by a 17 year old boy, who like galloping all over, didn'dt EVER do any schooling, just sat on her bareback and galloped.  Oh and swam in rivers, so she thinks water is fab
obedience and cooperation -  :unsure:
How does the Sam MArsh work - personally I've never heard of one.

[Heather]

Aha! the 17 year old boy would explain an awful lot!!!! A Sam Marsh is named after the famous show rider of a few decades ago- he invented this particular pelham and yes it can be a very good bit to stop them getting strong. The only way you can stop your pony doing this, is to be quicker than her, and as soon as you feel her going to tank, lift your hands up, never backwards, but upwards, quickly, without actually jerking, but enough to make her raise her head sharpish, backk it up instantly with the leg to send her forward- keep the hands high for a few paces as you send her forwards. If she shows no sign of tanking again, lower them. You have to repeat and repeat this until she starts to listen and rebalance herself- lots and  lots of tranistions too to keep the pace under control and also get her up off her shoulders. It is almost impossible for her to tank once she has lighetend her forehand. Try this and let me know how you get on.

Heather

[Janette]

yes When I put my hands up, her head does go  up, but I've been working on getting her to lower it!  When she has it down it feels like she is going to find out what s over the next hill - fast, but when its up, she's not listening to me.  I think I'm as confused as she is. :blink:
Sometimes, when its in the middle , things look ok.