Aldon Report- More Crazy Connie Capers with Pics and biting ideas!

IncaCola

IncaCola

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I haven't worked out how to post photos on the new forum yet (being a bit lazy to be honest), so for report with pics please visit http://me.southwesteventing.com

Does anyone have any idea for bitting a 14.2hh power pack who doesn't back off anything and tends to pull with his head long and low. I have previously tried; pelham, waterford (both made it worse) 3 ring gag, kimblewick and tomb thumb gag. All last 3 bits worked for one or two runs but then he gets immune and the kimble wick for some reason made his mouth sore on one side. By the end of last season we had come to some agreement and he wasn't too bad as long as I resisted the temptation to check him too much. However has renewed vigour this year and do think I need a bit more control if we are going to move up to novice which will look mighty big from a 14.2hh!!!
 
He looks like an ace lilttle pony- very powerfull!! Is he a pure connie or a cross?
What about a waterford american gag- did he not like the waterford mouthpiece at all? was it a fulmer waterford or a loose ring waterford you tried- I find loose ring waterfords absolutely useless but a fulmer one is so much better- especially with the special bit keepers that you attach to the cheekpieces.
Or you could try a nelson gag or a american gag with a french link mouthpiece.
 
you could try a running gag, it should help to sit him up a bit more and mean he cant pull down and tank off.
well done on your result, the piccies are great!
 
I ride one of my boys in a cheltenham gag and have to say it works wonders. He used to tank with his head down, totally on his forehand and i tried all number of bits. I only use one rein on the gag which i know some people dont agree with but i have to say, he hardly ever pulls now and he keeps his head up off the floor. If he does get onward bound i only have to check him lightly and he comes back to me.
It might be worth a try.
 
Incacola, thought I would be helpful and put the pics up and tell you how to do it. hope you dont mind but he is cute :)

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just right click on the image on your website, copy image location paste here and add
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This is exactly the same problem as I have with my pony! We also competed in the BE100 on friday, however I got pulled up when he bolted with me and have now been put on the black list...
I usually ride him in a tom thumb but he gets immune to it after a month! I thought about trying a tom thumb with a kineton noseband as have seen many combinations go successfully in this. I am also hoping to move up to novice later this year.
I can't believe how similar your pony sounds!!
Lovely looking pony too with bags of scope!
 
Thanks for all the advice Stilton, freyaand rogue et al. Think the idea of trying a running gag is good, will try to source one to borrow as it isn't a bit that I have ever used.

Sea Biscuit, I think I tried a loose ring waterford last year and he just ran off in it! As you say a waterford mouthpiece in a gag could be the answer. He is pure connie by GARRYHINCH PRINCE and was bred to show, but found that way too boring! He is a real adrenalin junkie.

Ester, thanks so much you are a star.

Shrek-Eventing, Just seen your report having not had anytime to get on the computer till now. Does sound similar to your boy. I am sure that once you get bitting sorted you will be flying round. I think the key to these types is to try and inerfere as little as possible whilst keeping control, sometimes easier said than done, but atleast we never have to worry about them not being bold enough!
 
I dont have to interfere at all with my boy now whereas before i would be tugging and hauling all the way round, just to get his head off the floor! Mine hated the waterford and three ring gag, also hated roller snaffles and leant on a pelham even more.
My running gag is just a straight forward eggbutt with single joint and im amazed how different he is.
I can actually kick him on now and hardly use any rein. Well worth a try IMO.
 
LizzieJ,

That would be wonderful, you are such a helpful bunch. Are you coming up to Stockland Lovell anyway? I am around most of the time and will PM my mobile
 
I only live down the road - you pass me riding fairly often! I've been up with ester a few times too :) I will be at work during the day but could drop it off any evening or meet you with it :)
 
Lovely pics of a gorgeous little man.

Hope you get the bitting sorted out. I had a welshie who pulled down, and a rubber jointed cheltenham gag worked for him. Later on I could ride him in a pelham, but the gag was the first bit in which I had any control.

Best of luck in trying one out (mine is with my SiL in Hamshire at the moment, so prob too far away for you, but give me a shout if you would like it and I could get it posted).

Fiona
 
I'd also suggest giving a kineton a try, experimenting with some different snaffles.

Myler makes a massive range of bits for all sorts of purposes. I've not found them the best for xc as their not designed for riding on any sort of strong contact but that said, it might be worth consulting their bitting people. Or any of the other bitting help lines as there are unusual options out there (Mikmar in another) that work for specific cases.
 
Your connie is gorgeous! :D As you say complete powerhouse by the looks of him though! Im another cheltenham (running) gag fan, I had my little 15hh connie x steam train in one as he used to just stick his head between his front legs and go with me XC. it was the only bit that i had any control over him in. Also have my mare in it to lift her head and its fantastic. I only ride in it with one rein too as two is just far too much knitting for me XC!! You can also be extremely light with it when your horse isnt running away, yet you have plenty of brakes when necessary! Hope you find a bit that does the trick :D
 
How about a combination noseband, this worked wonders on a ISH we had, which had v similar problems. She went from diving headlong to v controllable and a joy to jump.
We used to ring the changes as well with her, as she would respond for a few weeks, then learn how to get away again! Keep them guessing what you're going to use.
 
Ohhh he is lovely :)

I would suggest a kineton nose band I used to use one on my nf pony she pulled like a tank but this sat her on her bum. I think I still have it somewhere if you would like to borrow it, it is a rather horrid red coloured leather though and a bit olf it was 2nd hand when I bought it but it was a miracle bit of kit. She wore it with a Dr Bristo bit
 
very very nice pony :) defo go with cheltenham gag thoery, if you finds that works for bit i would change snaffle bit for waterford. I would also got for rope cheak piece instead of leather, as you get a quicker action on bit.
 
Hiya I, he is such a dude isn't he? I was parked behind you but not in my wagon, was in disguise all weekend as mine's still in the garage - quite fun to be incognito!!

Bitting wise I agree with those who say try Cheltenham gag (2 reins), also a Controller noseband or Kineton with the Tom Thumb. Finally, I had a very strong horse once and what worked the best with him was to have a small "stable" of bits and ring the changes so he was always in a fresh one...
 
Thanks for all the ideas. I hadn't realised I had more replies as haven't been on for a bit and am I the only one that doesn't get emails now a post is replied to on this new forum? Sorry tabledancer didn't see you. To be honest I am so busy at the moment that Aldon went by in a hazy exhausted blur and I doubt if I would have recognised anyone if they had slapped me in the face! I am going to try the cheltenham and if that is no good I may ask you chloe for the kineton
 
What about a w mouth gag? great for something that tanks, friend used it to school her games pony and used it for polocrosse as well.
http://www.shiresequestrian.co.uk/shop/product.php?productid=699&cat=569&page=1
dont really know why it is upside down!

Also, cant remember, have you used an american gag with him? Very popular bit here for the jumping ponies, gives the riders that extra bit of leverage :)
 
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