Alternatives to harsher bits to slow a horse down?

That_midgit_equestrian

That_midgit_equestrian

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Hi all,
I have little cob who can be quite strong at times, I personally don’t have an issue anymore definitely not on hacks and only slightly in the school- due to me having a 3 ring gag on him which I am very gentle with him and considerate (I know a lot of you won’t agree with the bit at all and I understand that however that’s what works for us at the minute) I have a loaner and she is a lovely girl but has not been riding to long I really don’t want her using the gag as I’m scared of him going mouth dead so she just rides in a Wilkie which she is finding him very strong in I’m looking for a soloution that maybe will make him less strong that’s not going to make him mouth dead just help her a little bit
 
Depending on what you read a 3 ring gag actually doesn’t do much at all unless you have a curb strap, it doesn’t use as much poll pressure as people used to think it did.

A universal might be worth a try x
 
I wouldn’t further bit up a horse that doesn’t sound absolutely suitable for a novice.

This is also probably more a training issue than the horse being genuinely strong - especially being a “little cob”. So few horses really do need stronger bits; and most times it’s more advanced horses doing more technical things 🧐.
 
Good schooling - but that takes time. Lessons for the sharer?

For someone with unbalanced hands, my ponies have always preferred a 3 ring gag on the middle ring, to a plain snaffle. The slight play allowed by the leverage option means that the unsteadiness of the hands doesn’t jar the mouth the same way. I got cross ponies with novice sharers in a snaffle and patient ponies with the arrangement above. So I let it be - it’s not my mouth after all!
 
Every horse is different. And I am no expert, but in answer to your question, I used to hunt my mums heavy cob. The Kineton nose band was a wonderful tool...for us. So much depends on skill of rider, and level of training for horse. Edited to add. Just re read, maybe a bit of one on one training for rider?
 
That_midgit_equestrian said:
Hi all,
I have little cob who can be quite strong at times, I personally don’t have an issue anymore definitely not on hacks and only slightly in the school- due to me having a 3 ring gag on him which I am very gentle with him and considerate (I know a lot of you won’t agree with the bit at all and I understand that however that’s what works for us at the minute) I have a loaner and she is a lovely girl but has not been riding to long I really don’t want her using the gag as I’m scared of him going mouth dead so she just rides in a Wilkie which she is finding him very strong in I’m looking for a soloution that maybe will make him less strong that’s not going to make him mouth dead just help her a little bit
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I like Berris bits
 
teddy_ said:
I wouldn’t further bit up a horse that doesn’t sound absolutely suitable for a novice.

This is also probably more a training issue than the horse being genuinely strong - especially being a “little cob”. So few horses really do need stronger bits; and most times it’s more advanced horses doing more technical things 🧐.
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No I agree that’s why I don’t want to bit him further, I don’t ride him in the gag all the time mainly just to school and jump him just as this is what my instructor advised
 
maya2008 said:
Good schooling - but that takes time. Lessons for the sharer?

For someone with unbalanced hands, my ponies have always preferred a 3 ring gag on the middle ring, to a plain snaffle. The slight play allowed by the leverage option means that the unsteadiness of the hands doesn’t jar the mouth the same way. I got cross ponies with novice sharers in a snaffle and patient ponies with the arrangement above. So I let it be - it’s not my mouth after all!
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That’s very interesting! Not what I expected, I’ve been riding in a 3 ring gag since WAY to young and with WAY to little experience to be doing so I’m Just very cautious that I don’t do that to my boy
 
What mouth piece you using?

And I agree without a curb strap its pretty useless as they just slip through.
 
I wouldn’t worry about the bit, it sounds as though you need to spend more time focussing on ensuring your horse understands a half halt, and then using that to keep the balance
 
We have a lot of different aids when we ride and not just the bit. Voice, body, legs etc all that we can use. The worst thing you can do with a strong horse is keep pulling. You need to let go and teach them to wait and find their own balance. Essentially it’s schooling and getting them to wait and listen. Voice and body probably work best. A good trainer can help you start sticking in the understanding
 
Does the horse object to the gag?

I’ve found mine will quickly tell me if they don’t like a bit and the gag is the one my mare objects to the least.

Someone hanging on a Wikie for dear life is going to be more uncomfortable than a bit that works.
 
Barlow said:
I wouldn’t worry about the bit, it sounds as though you need to spend more time focussing on ensuring your horse understands a half halt, and then using that to keep the balance
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He does it with me I’ve had him for some years now and we get along just fine I have great breaks on him and could pull him to a halt from gallop if needs be, I think he’s currently testing her atm so hopefully he settles down and rides like he does with me
 
HopOnTrot said:
Does the horse object to the gag?

I’ve found mine will quickly tell me if they don’t like a bit and the gag is the one my mare objects to the least.

Someone hanging on a Wikie for dear life is going to be more uncomfortable than a bit that works.
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No not at all! If anything when I used to ride him in the Wilkie he objected to that more than he does the gag he doesn’t seem to mind the Wilkie anymore tho
 
a big hill?

better balance?

a lightweight, novice rider is always going to be disadvantaged on a big strong horse, simple physics I'm afraid. No easy answer

She's possibly asking him to go faster with her body while trying to stop him with her hands
 
If you want her to ride him, it is not fair to either of them not to give her the tools to do so effectively, imho. So I would put him in the gag with a curb strap, or there's no.point and let her get on with it. If the reins are on the middle ring and the mouth piece is a French link, it's not really a harsh bit.
 
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My cob can be strong but will normally slow / stop when the rider shuts him down by engaging their own core quite firmly and closing their knees slightly.
However, the key has been in his schooling by an amazing trainer over many years.
Having said that he seems to go best in a strong bit with very gentle rein contact out hacking and schooling which I hope is nicer for him.
 
AppyLover1996 said:
How is he if ridden in just a headcollar? Maybe it is worth trying him bitless if it is safe to do so? Then you could look at reintroducing the bit once you're happy that your loaner won't accidentally cause any problems x
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I’m not sure! I imagine he would be fine I might try him in that I haven’t really ridden him without a bridle before but he does somewhat listen to vocal commands so. Will try that thanks!
 
Pearlsasinger said:
If you want her to ride him, it is not fair to either of them not to give her the tools to do so effectively, imho. So I would put him in the gag with a curb strap, or there's no.point and let her get on with it. If the reins are on the middle ring and the mouth piece is a French link, it's not really a harsh bit.
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I am starting to lean towards this idea as much as I am against it I will speak to my instructor about it and see what she thinks and then have a talk to the loaner
 
I would say more schooling and working together. Go bitless and see how it goes. My girl is super strong when ridden with a bridle and perfect with just a neck rope
 
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