Off the track racer horse breaking habits

Question
HI Ed!

Three weeks ago I purchased a horse off the track who had spent the past 10 months in his stall (more or less). He was not making the money so they decided to sell him. His last race was May 2003. I purchased him as a potential hunter/jumper. Upon purchasing him, I have tried to keep it simple; I take him for walks, groom him, graze him etc. I decided to sit on him over the weekend and he was VERY quiet. He is a wonderful horse willing to learn, but has a BAD HABIT! As soon as I shorten my reins he has that bit. From there he elongates his neck and cocks his head. That, as well as getting totally under the bit, are his "moves." I feel like I have no say in what is going on.
I have trained many Warmblood babies, but this is a totally new experience. He has all of these weird mannerisms and I am not sure how to take them. or how to correct them.
He also does a very bazaar skip-up or hop with his hind end while I trot. I have not idea why he is doing this either. I tried a canter just to test the waters and he did it even more at the canter, (I decided he is not ready to canter...not for some time-it was a test). I had him completely vetted upon purchase and he passed all facets of the testing with flying colors, so I am assuming that it is not a medical issue, I am just wondering if he is OK, or if this is common.
I have him in a rubber D and I am not sure if that is the bit for him.
I really want him to reach his potential, but need some guidance with his head issues. I would also love any other advice that you would like to give as far as owning an OTT TB.
Please advise me. I look forward to your response!
Best Regards,
Abbie

Answer
hi  well the cocking of his head sounds to me like a tooth or teth problem. i alwyas have te too ferry  do my horses every 6 months, because of caps, wolf teeth etc. he may have a bad tooth , or very sharp teeth that are hurting him  when the bit is near them. a rubber bit is easy on his mouth, but you have to have your tooth ferry check his mouth for you. the hop--skip behind may be a hock or stifel problem. try backing him up and see where his feet go . if he wings way out with one hind leg  check for the hock or stifel problem. i would also hardly take any hold of his mouth with the reins. now the final thing to do if all else fails!!!!! is contact a psychic to come to see the horse and she or he can tell you what the problem is, please take me very serious on my last advice to you as i have ued that method more then once and have had great success thanks ED