Bit advice for very strong Highlad

[cliche]

currently ridden in a 3 ring gag with a lozenge on a single rein.  He is a very big strong pony and my biggest issue is he is so nosey he is forever gawping to the left and right and just not paying attention.  I end up having to really haul his head about and I dont like doing it.  He has never taken off with me, athough he does tend to rush in trot a bit and gets unbalanced, I am setting myself against him a bit to pull him up and he isnt in the nicest outline.  So ideas please, I dont really need a mouthful of ironwork as I never feel unsafe or in danger or ending up in the next county, we are happy hackers so it doesnt need to be a "legal" bit for anything. I am happy to use 2 reins if that is the way forward, we dont use a martingale, he doesnt throw his head up, if anything he sometimes tucks it in too far and does silly little mini bucks!  His manners on the ground are good and he is reasonably responsive to my voice from the saddle, particularly when schooling in the field.  Its just when we are out and about and hes too busy gawping.  I would like to feel I have a slightly softer pony.

[BettyBo]

I'm sorry I don't understand if your a happy hacker why does he need to be going in a outline or allowed to look around?

[cliche]

He doesnt need to be in a proper dressagey outline but he is so busy not listening to me that he trips because hes not looking where hes putting his feet and I dont feel I have his full attention.  I just would like to feel he is a bit more with me, Im quite happy to be pottering along in general but there are occasions when I do need him to be looking where we're going and not putting his hoof down a rabbit or badger hole because he just wont turn when I ask.  Its a bit difficut to explain exactly, he just has a way of setting his neck in one direction and hauling on his mouth is not really the answer I want.  Is there a bit or combination of bit and riding technique that will allow me to keep him a bit straighter.  I canstop him and ask him to turn but again its not really the answer and he will stand for a minute before he turns willingly.

[lulah]

As she doesnt ever tank off or act unsafe then I would actually try going with a milder bit on as long a rein as possible. She needs to learn to balance herself and it sounds as if the stronger you pull the stronger she gets.
As she is a happy hacker let her have a nosey around. As long as you are in control dont worry about where her head is.
Mine is very nosey when hacking alone.

[lulah]

Sorry I used "she" alot! Just re read and relised its a boy!

In complete contrast to what I just said I do like a bit called a tom thumb (uk version) with a lozenge. They are great for softening and sit the horse back. Also good for steering . But it is a bit thats moderatley strong and cant be "hauled " on. You can ride it in 1 rein or 2

[Guestless]

Is he setting his neck and loading one shoulder? I've got a mare who I am just managing to school out of that and it has taken a while. First and foremost, has he had his teeth checked? My mare had problem wolf teeth which caused her issue in the first place, but it's taken ages for her to accept the problem is no longer there, lol. I have had to develop a very strong right leg to try to counteract her loading - hard work but it's worth it when it starts to go right.

[sarahp]

For me schooling would be the answer - do you have any lessons? RCs sometimes offer good instruction at cheaper rates and are fun too if there is one near you. The point of dressage is to encourage correct schooling for ALL disciplines, including giving a better, more comfortable and safer ride out hacking. How old is he? If a youngster or one who has not done much hacking he can be excused wanting to look about a bit, but should still be obedient to you for safety's sake.

[kirtonian]

I use a waterford on one of mine, not too severe, only one rein needed ( if snaffle). They tend not too lean on them too much, although I save mine for at shows when she gets stronger lol.,

[cliche]

Thanks everyone, Lulah, no offence taken .  If I let him have too much rein he spends the whole time trying to stick his nose in a hedge to eat or reach for the grass below.  I do try to school  without using too much contact but riding with my seat and core to try and help him to carry himself.  He is quite nicely schooled actually, its just when we're out he is so d**n nosey and inquisitive he just doesnt look where he's walking and when he sets his neck to look one way or t'other he just fixes himself.  I dont think hes trying to use his strength against me as such, he  just likes to admire the view.  I would just like to be able to keep him walking forwards in a straight line without the risk of putting his foot down a rabbit hole (we do most of our hacking in the woods and there are lots of holes) whilst trying to gawp at something in the next field.  Ill try the Tom Thumb and Waterford for starters and see how he reacts.  As I said, I dont need more powerful brakes, just a slightly more reactive steering wheel!!

[sarahp]

Are you using your legs to steer him with as well as the bit? If not he should learn to react to them for steering and moving sideways, not just meaning go.

[cliche]

Yes I do. I try to use our hacks as mini schooling sessions as Im not a fan of going round in circles.  We usually hack for about an hour, the first few minutes at a briskish walk, then half an hour really thinking about what we're doing, then finish with a nice relaxed free walk, although as I said, we do need to watch where our feet are because of the amount of rabbit holes and badger setts we come across.  So although in principal I dont mind him having a look about him whilst we're cooling down I do still need to be able to steer him without a tussle.  If the tracks were wider I could in theory let him go where hes looking and push him onto a circle, but they are too narrow in most places.

[foxyt]

Not an expert, but I'm hacking a pony for a friend and have just tried him in a fulmer (full cheek) snaffle for similar reasons, I'm surprised others haven suggested this? What do you all think about that as a suggestion horse gossipers?

[Milliesmum]

Do you have access to off road hacking? I've always found it useful to ask for a bit of leg yielding from one side of the track to the other, just so they understand how to move away from your leg.

[cliche]

We only hack off road now, got so fed up with the volume of traffic near our yard I invested in transport so I can drive to the woods and tracks.  I think thats part of the problem, Murry so loves getting out and about and every day there is something new to look at, he is such a nosey pony by nature, as I said, I dont mind in principal but I do need to know I can have him listening when I need him too and actually respond to my instruction.  Sometimes when we are riding a circle he will be going to the right and looking to the left,quite a good trick but not what Im actually asking him for

[onlyapony]

I used a Fulmer snaffle on my Highland gelding, as he used to open his mouth with an ordinary eggbutt. The side pieces stopped this, and they also press onto the sides of his face when you use the reins, to reinforce the turning of his head.

[fanfarefan]

Basic schooling is always a must even if you do just hacking ,ie , gateways , moving for an obstacle , hoole etc , and i certainly understand were you are coming from , when you say that you need more response , from a hedge gazing horse , you feel that you dont have their full attention, i personally would try a good old fashioned kimblewick