[JBandRio]

Are you sure you have the bit high enough in his mouth? Or do you have it too high?

[jacksydneyellen]

Originally Posted by Dawn

Did he do this last year when you first introduced the bit?

Yes he did. It didn't seems as bad last year as I only rode him five times and didn't really ask much of him. He was riding around a track following another horse so I didn't really have to touch the reins much. This year I am working in the sand ring as I am starting to work him properly now that he is a three year old.Mind you he did the shaking head thing whether I had a loose rein or a contact.

Originally Posted by JBandRio

Are you sure you have the bit high enough in his mouth? Or do you have it too high?

I am pretty sure that the bit is in the correct place. The only thing that maybe not be right is that maybe it is a little too wide and with it being double jointed, that is causing the centre of the bit to hang too low in his mouth although it is correct at the sides (if you get what I mean).

Anyway as an update, I tried him with my copper single jointed eggbutt and the head shaking has stopped. He was a little more resistant to start with but it was a new bit so I just ignored him and let him get used to it. After about 10 mins, he was walking around with no problems. It was very refreshing to ride him and not feel that he was distracted all the time by the bit. He never felt unsafe before but I never felt as though I had his attention.

[Dawn]

Having a bit that's either too wide or too narrow can cause a lot of problems and be quite uncomfortable for the horse.