how can i loosen my stiff section d up?

[dreamer]

i have a 5 year old section d...iv tried everything lately to try and get him to loosen up..i had the back lady out the other day and she told me to do lots of work on a loose rain..which i have been doing. but now as i go to pick up my rains he panics and chucks his head up! he is worst on his left rain, he is also really unballenced in canter this is probly due to his age. What could i do to help him..? would lunging help him loosen up and with his ballence?
i also find that hes really stiff when i ask him to bend..
im totally stuck for ansers..HELP

[Milliesmum]

What bit are you using?

[shelleyj]

teeth?

[Milliesmum]

Shelleyj, that's what I thought, could the tension be coming from him being uncomfortable in the mouth. especially in view of his age.

[shelleyj]

its this teeth and back obsession I have!

[halfpass]

this is a tough one as we can't see the horse going and it could be alsorts of things but I would say that he needs riding from behind more, but I would get a good instructor to watch you ride and see if there is a problem, it's best to do it sooner rather than later, so that any problems can be nipped in the bud before they become a habbit.

[ponymum]

I agree with the others....Its got to be his teeth...not the ones at the front, the ones way up at the back, get a really good dentist to come out and dremel then and you won't look back...Promise

[lolly]

teeth done, back done, just booked new instructor

[Milliesmum]

Ask instructor to look at the bit. If it's one with a joint he may have a low roof to his mouth and not like the joint, may be better with a straight mouthpiece. Likewise he might need more room for his tongue etc,

[dreamer]

hes only in a little snaffel...we thought that it might be his teeth but hes all uptodate with it..and he had his back done on monday..could it be somthing im doing? thanks for your ansers

[Milliesmum]

If it's a jointed snaffle try a mullen one, and vice versa. May just be the way he is made. I know of a youngster who won't tolerate any kind of jointed mouthpiece as when you take a contact the joint interferes with the roof of his mouth. Worth a try.

[welshleek]

i have the same problem with my section d 4 yr old. i have had her teeth done recently. i also noticed she was throwing her head so have changed her bit from a simple snaffle to a full cheek french link as it gives her more space for her tongue. instantly she stopped throwing her head. we have a lesson weekly where we practice loosing her up allowing her to stretch and using her cornors without looking like an ironing board. have you considered that the aids you may be giving aren't completely to her. i have discovered my mare is really intelligent and will try everything to avoid doing what i want. good luck with her. hope the lessons go well.

[Hayche.]

you could try a snaffle waterford we've recently had a pony come who has had the same problems but also bucked, back done, teeth done, long rained, side rains, bunggy and alll sorts of bits then last minute tryed the waterford and he was really light in my hands for the first time! it might help you too.

[cyflawn]

Pessoas are great...i know they are quite a lot of money to but but they are great for teaching horses to bend and loosen up as unlike side reins they dont just hold the head in ...it is like a load of ropes and pullys and they make the horse use its backend and when they do so it gives on their head and vica versa...i think they are great...i have used one and after a week i saw a great difference

[halfpass]

we have used a pessoa but if not experianced and not fitted propperly they can make them go on the forehand