Bit Problems with older horse

Question
Mitzi,

I recently got home from college and when riding my horse, which is a 12 year old Tennessee Walker, I put the snaffle bit in, and he immediately started tossing his head. While riding he won't listen to the bit and I am always fighting him to where I want to go. He wants to go where he wants and when I try to correct it, he throws his head, pulls at the reins and refuses to move. I have also rode him with a hackamore, which he will stop too but when it comes to turning him where I want to, he throws a fit. It's frustrating and I'm not sure whether to keep up with the snaffle bit, use a harsher bit, or keep the hackamore which he doesn't throw his head with but just doesn't listen to. He needs to be retrained and I need to be able to gain his trust back so we can both have a fun experience riding again. Please help! Any suggestions on how I can get my horse to obey me would be great! Thank you so much

Answer
Hello Hanna,

    First of all, DO NOT put a more severe bit in your horse's mouth. That is not the answer. It will just cause him more discomfort and pain and make him more resistant.
    Were you having any of these problems before you went away to college? Has he had his teeth floated lately?
    I think you should ride him in a Dr. Cook Bitless Bridle. It works differently than a hackamore. YOu will have control, but I think he will understand its control better. It controls from the whole head, not just the mouth. It is a kind method...a bit like a "whole head hug". When you first put it on him, put the reins over his head and turn and stop him from the ground before you mount to be certain that he understands it. I have never had a horse that did not understand it but I always like to be safe.
    If you have an enclosed area I think you should work your horse a bit in it. You should make certain that he understands moving away from leg pressure. Make certain that he understands how to do a turn on the forehand and a leg yield. You can teach these from the ground first.You also have to be certain that you are using your body correctly when you ride and not giving him conflicting signals.
    Try not to put either of you in a position where it will lead to the type of battles you have been having. Your body and leg position are th main aids to get him to go where you want him to go...NOT the bit or your hands.

   I will be glad to give you more specific information. You can write to me at EXPERTS or at Summersdressage@aol.com

Mitzi