Advice on bits please (sorry long)

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Kayfamily

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I have a 15hh cob who I've only had since July, he came with his bridle and was in a French Link snaffle so I carried on using that.

He goes really well in the snaffle in the school however on a hack I'm having trouble stopping. He's ok most of the time but I know that if he decided to go I wouldn't have a hope of stopping (he has done it before and I ended up on the floor, he headed home without me).

I've tried him in a french link dutch gag (its the only other bit I've got) i've definately got more brakes but he doesn't seem to like it.

In walk he's has his head really low and is constantly pulling forward to try and get a longer rein. In trot he puts his head high, won't go forward into the contact and we end up going sideways down the road with him trying to buck. I haven't tried him in the school with it yet.

What other bits could I try him in to get the quality of work we get with the snaffle but with the brakes I have in the dutch gag?
 
How about a french link pelham? That way you could ride with two reins, mainly using the same action as your french link snaffle, then when he gets strong you could use the rein with the curb action.

I am thinking of taking my cob hunting (she hasn't been before) she gets quite excitable, I normally ride her in a Myler Comfort Snaffle so was thinking of getting the Myler comfort Pelham for her as I am hoping it will feel the same to her unless I use the curb when she is strong.
 
I'm assuming that you have had your saddle checked, along with the back and teeth?

I don't like Dutch Gags. A true gag is a head raiser, whereas the Dutch gag is a head lowerer. It makes it sound like he really doesn't like it, as he is putting his head up still in trot.

I would try something with a little curb pressure. Kimblewick?

Have you got a martingale on him? This might help with stopping him putting his head up. What about noseband? Does he do anything with his mouth to evade the bit? This would tell you if the mouthpiece needs changing, although a Kimblewick has a ported mouthpiece so will allow for extra tongue room.
 
Saddle etc all fine.

He's in a running martingale as he was putting his head in the air. He's in a flash at the minute as he was also opening his mouth, it is on quite loose though so it's only coming in to effect if he tries to evade that way.
 
i would try a neue schule universal, i have one and the horse loves it. The universal is a upgrade from a snaffle but still keeps a very gently mouth piece for the horse, and you can have the option of using it on the snaffle ring which i use for schooling and slower hacks but put the rein on to the other ring for jumping and fast work,

From the website....
The brilliant all rounder, control without severity, a handy piece of kit. The NS Universal offers control without discomfort or severity. It is brilliant for faster work such as jumping etc as you can turn much more easily and it generally eliminates the head toss when asking for a downward transition, or lengthening and shortening in between fences. If you need to upgrade from a snaffle, it is highly recommended as you are staying with a mild mouthpiece but subtly employing other pressure points. There are four rein options including the curb strap and Pelham roundings.
 
You could try a Wilkie Snaffle, which will give you slightly more brakes but without too much leverage. It sounds like he might have a sensitive mouth as he didn't like the Dutch Gag so the Wilkie is a good one to try as it gives you extra brakes but without scaring him.
 
SnowJumping Superstars said:
You could try a Wilkie Snaffle, which will give you slightly more brakes but without too much leverage. It sounds like he might have a sensitive mouth as he didn't like the Dutch Gag so the Wilkie is a good one to try as it gives you extra brakes but without scaring him.
Click to expand...

I've just been looking at this one, may have to give it a go
 
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