Advice with bit please.....clueless!

Have to disagree here

hanging snaffle produces downwards poll pressure on the lever action

It gives better brakes

It doesnt hang in the mouth its in the same please just the leverage is different on the hanging part ie the rings at the bottom on the outside....
 
Im on the poll pressure side of the fence.....my Arab hates them. If yours sticks his head up to evade and needs a flash, then he possibly doesnt like the mouthpiece. I would possibly try a mullen mouth hanging cheek if you could get one on trial?
 
Right ladies and gents,

I've had a looksie at the Mullen mouth hanging cheek. Forgive me if I'm wrong but isn't that straight bar just like a Pelham and quite severe??

Xxx
 
Right ladies and gents,

I've had a looksie at the Mullen mouth hanging cheek. Forgive me if I'm wrong but isn't that straight bar just like a Pelham and quite severe??

Xxx

nope. You're only comparing the mouthpieces there.

Pelhams have a definite poll action to a greater or lesser extent depending on whether you're using it with 2 reins or roundings (a C shaped piece of leather that goes from the 'snaffle' ring to the smaller curb ring further down the shank then 1 rein attached to that ) and also act on the curb groove when used as most are with a curb chain

I dont think a rubber mullen mouth pelham is severe at all and know several people that use them and double bridles for flat work especially on cobs as they tend to lighten the forehand.
all bits depend on the hands holding them on how severe they are just remember that.

Id go for the mullen mouth hanging snaffle. But try one out before you purchase it first.
 
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I'd say you really need someone there to actually see what & why its happening, & what if any tack changes are needed. I'd agree a mullen mouth might suit him more, but really I think a good instructor is the key to finding out exactly which is best. I'd also ditch the flash. Lots of perfectly well schooled horses dislike flashes, just because they object to having their mouths shut. If you really aren't keen on removing the flash right now, try a drop noseband instead. It stops the horse opening its mouth fully, but unlike a flash its presence isn't felt 100% of the time, only when the horse opens its mouth wide. And echo others, not a waterford, or wilkie for that matter. Neither are at all mild, & how a wilkie was ever named a snaffle is beyond me.
 
It won't provide any extra breaks in that sense you are right (i'm the no poll action brigade ;)) however they do sit quite different and in my experience do have a different effect on horses to the looserings/eggbutts.

My little mare won't take a contact forward at all in a hanging cheek, she hates the action where it "hangs" in the mouth rather than sitting over the bars the same :)


this is very true. I used to be fascinated by the various bits and their actions on the different parts of the horse's mouth and used to try and educate myself about their workings. Im a bit rusty now!
 
Right ladies and gents,

I've had a looksie at the Mullen mouth hanging cheek. Forgive me if I'm wrong but isn't that straight bar just like a Pelham and quite severe??

Xxx
No, a mullen mouthed bit is curved gently, while a straight bar bit is indeed straight. Go to your local tack shop tomorrow and ask them to show you the difference. I doubt that you really need a stronger bit, just a different one. And I would certainly remove the flash asap. Your horse will stop fighting the noseband then.
Incidentally, although I doubt that your horse needs one, a pelham is not particularly severe, it just suits some horses better than other bits, especially when used with 2 reins.
 
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