Hello…
i got a horse off the race track(hes been off almost two years) he is 6 now and a Tb.and he use 2 have a great pattern(i started him and broke him 2 a bit) i am 15…..he can fly and he loves to turn…..he slides around 1st and 3rd barrel…but 2nd he scotches and then when hes comming out like jumps right….
hes not hurting i just had him check by a vet and a chryopractor and had his teeth floated. i tried switching directions and laying him off doing other stuff and he stil does it…..i ride him in a twisted snaffle and a german martingale bcuz he is very light mouthed….aso he tries 2 suck in2 it with no pocket…..and hes 15.1 1150-1200lbs…..
i havent really ran him anywhere latley and this started about 4 months ago b4 then where ever i took him @ a last lope we won or placed…..i also hs rodeo and i no he could win…but im just out of ideas
IF you are correct in your assessment of your horse’s physical condition and he is truly not sore or hurting anywhere, then I would have to suspect that your hands are probably causing the problem at the second barrel along with the combination of the twisted mouthpiece bit and possibly incorrectly adjusted german martingale.
The martingale should only come in contact with his mouth if he gets his head out of a comfortable position – in other words when your hands are correct and he is still resisting you. You might try a smooth mouthpiece bit – maybe a three piece mouthpiece – for a change and see if there is a different response.
Last but not least, get some videos of your runs and watch to see what you are doing differently at the 2nd and 3rd barrels. They are the same turn but you are getting a different response at them so I would have to be examining hand position.
Martha Wright
