Advise on Bits\Nosebands please?

[marmiteontoast]

Hello,

I was hoping you might be able to give me some advise please.

My horse is a 16hh pure Welsh Section D. He's 5 years old in a month or so.

To date, he has always had a full cheeked bit, see this link for best example I can find:

http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/...ted_fulmer_cheek_snaffle_mouth_bit-(435).aspx

He has been schooled in this and hacked in this since he was backed. He has a soft mouth and doesn't give me too much trouble bit wise, he accepts it most days without fuss and hacks/schools nicely. He occasionally chomps at it but more due to haste rather than discomfort I think! All in all, its been a good bit.

Now he's almost 5 I'm thinking it may be a good time to change bits, however I am unsure about best for him. His snaffle as per the picture is without a middle link and quite chunky. I am finding him rather strong when galloping in open spaces or at cross country and as he's a powerful big horse i'd really like a little more control occasionally. However, I would like something comfortable for him and nothing too harsh.

I was thinking about perhaps a drop noseband as he currently has a plain band? Then I thought about getting something with a middle losenge as this seems nice (my horse came with the bit he currently has when I bought him a year ago, it wasn't my initial choice). Then I thought about a rubber Dutch gag, then I thought about a straight forward eggbutt bit....and then thought that that probably wouldn't make much difference!

I've also thought about just letting him keep the bit he's got, which is an option but there is no question i need extra control at cross country/jumping....

So, as you can tell, I'm rather confused! I've always just been a snaffle rider with all my horses but Ive never had to make the initial decision with a young horses first adult bit!

If you could assist in my decision i'd be very grateful.

Thanks

Clare.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I really don't like nosebands which hold a horse's mouth shut. IME they open their mouths when uncomfortable, so if your horse is opening his mouth it's best to find out why he is uncomfortable in that bit. If he's not opening his mouth then a drop nosedband won't have any effect anyway. I'm not keen on single jointed snaffles either because a lot of horses find them uncomfortable as they poke the palate. Although a few horses do go well in them. It would be a good idea to read as much as you can about each of the bits you are considering. Heather Hyde of Neue Schule bits has a good article about bitting on the NS website - not just about NS bits. You could ask your EDT for an opinion as well, as s/he will be able to explain the conformation of your horse's mouth (fleshy tongue? low palate? etc) and how different bits might affect this. Let us know how you get on.

 

[SusieT]

I suspect more schooling may be the way forward, as if you continue to simply increase the horses bit strength as he grows older, you are not addressing the issue which is impoliteness when galloping.
However, a waterford is a good bit for a leaner, or a drop snaffle can give just that extra hold if you need it