Advice please

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marinitagsd

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Hi everyone, I posted the other day but didn't get any replies so thought I would try again. I have owned and ridden horses for the past 38yrs and always really ridden in a snaffle. My youngster is now proving a bit of a handful at the faster paces and feel maybe a change of bit would help, she is currently in a loose ring copper losenge snaffle. She is working in an outline at trot but her canter has alot to be desired! lol Its getting a battle as she takes a good hold, sticks her nose in the air and just wants to go faster! She sometimes opens her mouth and flicks her tongue out, probably because she doesn't like the intermitent pressure I am having to put on to slow her down. Everything has been checked, saddle etc. I know a bit is only really as strong as the riders hands and now thinking maybe a stronger bit would help but have no idea where to start in my search!
Also I think maybe a sweet/black iron one.
Any suggestions would be gratefully received. Thanks x
 
I would imagine it is a balance issue rather than a strength issue? Sounds like your hands are a way for her to prop herself up while she rushes on as her balance isn't sorted in canter yet.
I would just concentrate on trot - canter transitions on a circle with only a short canter on a very soft inside rein with gentle half halts with your outside before bringing her back to trot. It is hard to improve a canter just using canter (iyswim!) but lots of transitions to encorage her to bring her weight back will help her to balance herself.
If you are still finding no improvement then how about a hanging cheek with the same mouthpeice as you have already? A tiny bit more help than what your currently have, but I don't think you consider it strong or harsh so shouldn't have your mare backing off it.
 
Thanks for your reply "Pony", I have already done what you mentioned and don't seem to be getting anywhere hence my post. I certainly don't want a strong bit, just one that she feels more comfortable in. I'm quite light with my hands so know its not that. Think she may have got into a habit now. She will be 6yrs in May.
xx
 
Do you have the same issue in the school and on hacks or is it limited to just the one place?

I have found that most of our youngsters tend to canter with their heads in the air for quite a while (hence we don't canter them on hacks) which is largely a balance issue.

Over time they tend to correct themselves.

With a youngster I wouldn't go down the stronger bit route as my first stop.
 
Does she have a large tonge? Mine does and nose pokes quite alarmingly in anything that presses on her tongue - even 'kind' bits like a french link lozenge! A shaped french link helped alot - I had this http://cotswoldsport.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_66&products_id=467
and she is hugely better in it. Her nose poking was worse in canter - I wonder if it was because I took a tiny bit more of a contact so she reacted negatively to it?
I wonder if this might affect your girl? So many options as to what could be causing it though!!
 
I haven't come across one shaped in sweet iron I'm afraid! The metal used is still a nice taste one, so should be pleasing to your mare. Our two are fussy old sods and are v happy in theirs! (I have the loose ring and baucher in the tongue saver mouthpiece).
 
I'd try a loose ring waterford, IMO it's less severe than a snaffle as it collapses as it has lots of joints but prevents a horse from grabbing it so good for youngsters and exracers when schooling.
 
ThePony said:
I would imagine it is a balance issue rather than a strength issue? Sounds like your hands are a way for her to prop herself up while she rushes on as her balance isn't sorted in canter yet.
I would just concentrate on trot -.
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Agree with this. She's taking hold of the bit and running because she's unbalanced.
Try lengthening the contact and keep it there so she can find her own balance and seek the contact herself. Self preservation may tell you this is the last thing you want to do, but if she is able to go forward and find her own balance, she'll have nothing to rush against and will have to hold herself up. Sure, like you, she doesn't want to fall on her face but would rather stay on all 4 feet.
 
If it was me? Myler short shank combination (carefully fitted and carefully introduced too) with either the comfort snaffle or low port mouthpieces depending on how much space I thought she needed for her tongue. If that's a big leap for you yet, try the Myler snaffles, they are designed to give more space for the tongue, hanging cheek might do her.

Edit: We cross posted! If you can get to Rodbaston mid April have a look at this http://belstane.com/news.aspx?news=103&type=horse. I went to one of these days with Dale Myler a couple of years ago and was really taken away with his knowledge and the bitting concepts
 
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I had a myler on mine (not the hanging cheek though) and we didn't really get on with it, I found that she really fixed on it and it was very hard to ride her forwards into a nice light contact. Something with more movement happened to suit us. If you can borrow one though then I rekon it would def be worth a go.
 
I've always used a loose ring french link snaffle, and always found my horses go better in it, apart from my littlun! He, for some reason, really hates loose rings, gets all snatchy and annoying, have put him in a fixed full cheek with a single joint and he is so much better. I would try a different snaffle first (sweet iron eggbut?) before resorting to a stronger bit.
 
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