Over bent cob

[lilly]

Does anyone have any ideas- I've recently acquired a little cob. He's in a loose ring snaffle , when schooling he's totally over bent and behind the leg.

I seem to spend ages kicking him forward , but I'm struggling to stop him from balling up in front. He's far too behind the vertical

Any ideas or advice please

[catkin]

I would stop schooling him altogether and let him enjoy/relax into working forward into his bridle. So, hacking out, or walking round a field (if you can find one dry enough) are probably going to help massively. A loose ring snaffle does help stop leaning on a bit, so perhaps something even softer and more still in its movement such as an eggbut snaffle might help. Is he forward going or lazy? If he is lazy, this is probably a form of resistance to avoid working. If he is forward going, then perhaps more of a tense evasion. Either way, the hacking will help.

[sageandonionagain]

Very much depends on his age and his fitness. If you didn't have him vetted, get him looked at by the vet, particularly his hocks and his teeth, his saddle must be checked of course. That way of going can sometimes be defensive. If everything is fine, agree come out of the school, go hacking and jumping.

[gillwales]

go hunting, assuming he is fit enough. When you do go back to schooling go for long and low, give a rein and hold the contact with the other. Change to a french link, I am a great advocat of this bit as you can work each side totally independantly , for a few strides across the diagonal give both reins and see if he maintains his shape and self carriage. Do lots of walk and canter work rather than trot. I would get his teeth checked as it might be discomfort that makes him evade the bit.

The main thing is to have fun and for him to enjoy his work.

[sageandonionagain]

Teeth, back, fitness. What does your trainer say?