Advice please..

[katie_southwest]

I bought my mare in October and have ridden her in a french link snaffle (full cheek for steering!) but as she is losing weight now and getting fitter she is getting a lot stronger. Today my friend had to pull out of the way when we were cantering as my mare decided to put in an almighty buck and race off and my friend thought she was going to career into her! Iv always ridden horses in snaffles so not really sure what the next thing to try would be?
Any advice? Shes a 14.1 welsh x
Thank you

 

[debradley]

You could try a waterford

 

[helenhorse]

Try a a 3 ringed gag, you can uggust it to what she is feeling like on the day and it gives poll pressure.

 

[ChocoCornflake]

How about something like a hanging cheek snaffle? With a french link mouthpiece like she has now, but with some more poll pressure/leverage/brakes than a normal snaffle!
A gag is quite a step up from a snaffle id say, but may be nescessary if she sticks her head on the floor and tanks off

or how about something like a kimblewick?
Best bet is to ring one of the bitting companies, and they should probably know what will suit you best!

 

[katie_southwest]

Yeah maybe il ring and see what they say...I dont want anything too drastic but I dont want to have to yank at her to stop. Just something a bit stronger

Doesnt help that she was from a trekking place before so she is used to all sorts of people riding her etc

 

[Natassia]

I changed from an eggbutt snaffle to a 3 ring gag with the horse I used to share as he became stronger out hacking as he got fitter, even if you have the gag on the 1st ring its a little bit stronger than a snaffle, so you might find she goes well in it, and as she gets fitter you can put it on the 2nd ring if you think you need to. As long as you're not constantly pulling on her mouth she should be fine, my horse went really well in it.

 

[Dressagebabe]

Before just sticking more severe bits in her mouth you could try schooling and finding out why she is so strong, loads of transitions, serpentines, increase & decrease of circles, everytime she pulls on you, halt, then ask for rein back then halt and move forwards, if you do this constantly she will soon realise she has to go back because she is pulling, the other thing that really helps is putting a neck strap on her and if she pulls whilst ignoring your aids to stop pulling then take hold of the neck strap, raise it up towards her head just before her throat area and give it a sharp tug, it usually slows them right up, keep doing it until she gets the message, you must back it up with your reins (usually in the other hand!).