Lugging out

[Tiz]

My perfectly sound, yet contrary, horse is getting into this bad habit. Will any of you be willing to share your unique ideas for dealing with it? Thanks!

[majxmom]

My first thought was that there is an undiagnosed problem, but if you are sure he is sound, I would try a prong bit, which has a little "tooth" that protrudes inward a bit on the right side. It gives the rider a little more leverage when the jock corrects the horse's head to the left. The horse won't feel it is he is going straight and the reins are even, but if the rider has to pull to the left, the prong on the right side presses into his cheek and encourages him to straighten his head away from it.

[Tucumcari]

An old issue, a mouth issue, a new issue already existing issue coming on and causeing greater discomfort, bleeding galloping or working and racing. Habit.

Horses lug for a reason. It's just a matter of finding out why. My new favorite bit on luggers is the Australian Ring bit with extensions, Works like a charm!

[Tiz]

He had a sore back last year, which helped to start the behavior. Now, it's beginning to be his "go to" move, and needs to be nipped in the bud. I hope it's still the bud, anyway.

I have an Australian ring bit, and I'll try it. I've been holding it back until I could get through to the exercise rider on how I wanted it used. I guess it's going to be more iron for the horse, and hearing aids for the rider, and we'll see how it goes.

Thank you for the prong bit suggestion, too. I'm curious about possible solutions that don't involve equipment, too, so any ideas or experiences are interesting and appreciated.

[yukidragon]

You could try a search on this site on lugging out.
I know I've read about this before somewhere.

[Laurierace]

I haven't heard of an australian ring bit. Can someone explain the difference or perhaps guide me towards a link with more information, it sounds intriguing.

[Tucumcari]

You're a trainer and you don't know what an ausie ring bit is?
This is the harsher version of the Aussie. Note the extensions. A regular Aussie will not have the extensions. For some reason I can't find a picture of that..
http://www.horsephotos.com/watermark.jsp?photoID=34522

[Laurierace]

Nope sorry, never seen one before, thank you.

[Tucumcari]

In that case your tack shop on track will carry them. With or without the extensions. Extensions are abviously more severe. They are leather covered. or rubber covered or just plain steel. I will never again use a james or a prong bit. This is just so much more effective.

[Laurierace]

Well that is part of the problem, there is no tack shop at Pimlico. There is a guy that comes around with a van but 90% of the time I ask him for something, he has never even heard of it. It has gotten to the point where I don't even bother asking anymore.

[Tucumcari]

how do you get tack?

[Laurierace]

Well it depends upon what you mean by tack. I buy my racing bridles from the tack shop at Penn National over the phone. Bandages and such I buy at Dover. I can get the basics like cotton and poultice from the guy in the van. I am low on horses right now so I don't need much, I have buckets and webbings and the like for 10 head with only two in training. I probably have enough blankets for 30 horses with all the various sizes. I have three saddles and about 15 saddle pads so don't need any more there either. Buying isn't as big of a problem as storing is at the moment.

[Tucumcari]

Well Penn National or Dover ought to be able to get you an Aussie ring bit.

[turf]

The problem is not the bit. It's the loose nut at the end of the reigns!

[Tucumcari]

Uummm no. I know where you are coming from, but sometimes it is more than a bad hand on their back.