Any bit advice /experts

[motherof2beasts!]

Good evening all,

So my cob is in a full check snaffle with losenge , this is fine in the school where he is less than enthused but out hacking if he is having an idiotic day , like today, it’s no use whatsoever. He enjoys hacking much more than schooling and most of the time he’s pretty good, unless he sees cows, pigs or donkeys .

Other days he is like a pogo stick , trying to yank the reins , locking his neck , doing everything at 100 miles an hour and it’s just not relaxing at best. I don’t want to put him in something that’s going to hurt him , but on the days he feels like a bomb I’d like him to be a bit more responsive to the slow signals. He has a low palette, very big fleshy lips so no loose ring as he gets pinched.

I’m considering getting a bit expert out but they seem to all end up in the bombers happy tongue, no problem if that is great but there aren’t many independent bitters with larger stock.

 

[webble]

I had a bitting lady out and she was great, bought a variety of makes types and sizes with her and tried a few after examining his mouth. Once we found one he liked she suggested I look online for one second hand

 

[Griffin]

I had Horse Bit Fit out and I always recommend them, mine definitely didn't end up with a Bomber Happy Tongue! The appointment was about two hours and we tried probably 4-5 different bits, although we found the one that was best quite quickly. The bits were at all different price points, from £12 to £120 and the fitter wrote a sort of 'prescription' so I could find it online somewhere myself.

 

[saddlesore]

I use a Myler low port comfort barrel kimblewick. I’ve swapped the metal curb chain for a leather one. Means I can school in it on the ‘snaffle’ setting and drop it down a place for exciting things lol. This gives a lot of tongue relief.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I’d love to get a bit fit person out but my horse gets naughtier each time I get off and on, eg saddle fitting. It’s really hard to know if he is happy or not with something because I know it’s something he does.
My saddle was the last we tried after quite a few and he took off bucking in it whereas he had been fine in number one (which was awful!)
He’s been great in it since purchasing though so I figure he likes it, just gets hacked off with trying new stuff one after another. Awkward!

 

[webble]

I’d love to get a bit fit person out but my horse gets naughtier each time I get off and on, eg saddle fitting. It’s really hard to know if he is happy or not with something because I know it’s something he does.
My saddle was the last we tried after quite a few and he took off bucking in it whereas he had been fine in number one (which was awful!)
He’s been great in it since purchasing though so I figure he likes it, just gets hacked off with trying new stuff one after another. Awkward!

You could probably stay on and the fitter just switch the bit over?

 

[motherof2beasts!]

I had Horse Bit Fit out and I always recommend them, mine definitely didn't end up with a Bomber Happy Tongue! The appointment was about two hours and we tried probably 4-5 different bits, although we found the one that was best quite quickly. The bits were at all different price points, from £12 to £120 and the fitter wrote a sort of 'prescription' so I could find it online somewhere myself.

This is exactly what I’d like to find , I have tried a couple of local fitters and they only stock bombers.

 

[motherof2beasts!]

I’d love to get a bit fit person out but my horse gets naughtier each time I get off and on, eg saddle fitting. It’s really hard to know if he is happy or not with something because I know it’s something he does.
My saddle was the last we tried after quite a few and he took off bucking in it whereas he had been fine in number one (which was awful!)
He’s been great in it since purchasing though so I figure he likes it, just gets hacked off with trying new stuff one after another. Awkward!

Mine also does this his work hat kind of comes off once I’ve dismounted once

 

[poiuytrewq]

You could probably stay on and the fitter just switch the bit over?

Maybe yes, that might work. He’s an awkward soul!

 

[Bobthecob15]

Contact Expert bits, they have a free online consultation thingy. They are fab and recommended a bit for our pony which he went really well in x

 

[Griffin]

It has been a few years but I am pretty sure that the fitter changed the bits with me still on board.

 

[Cortez]

In my experience the majority of heavy, thick-necked, on-the-forehand type cobs that I have ridden have been much happier in a mild curb bit such as a pelham or kimblewick. This requires the rider to understand how such things are used and to take the time to educate the cobs likewise.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

I had Horse Bit Fit out and I always recommend them, mine definitely didn't end up with a Bomber Happy Tongue! The appointment was about two hours and we tried probably 4-5 different bits, although we found the one that was best quite quickly. The bits were at all different price points, from £12 to £120 and the fitter wrote a sort of 'prescription' so I could find it online somewhere myself.

this, I have had these out and mine ended up in a NS Team Up. A friends ended up in a £20 odd bit.

 

[tda]

In my experience the majority of heavy, thick-necked, on-the-forehand type cobs that I have ridden have been much happier in a mild curb bit such as a pelham or kimblewick. This requires the rider to understand how such things are used and to take the time to educate the cobs likewise.

Definitely try a Pelham, it's not hard to hold two reins and you have the curb if you need it

 

[blitznbobs]

Id stick him in a cheltneham gag with the same mouth piece. Ride with two reins and in he is being interesting utilise the gag otherwise uou are essentially in his normal snaffle… usually teaches respect without the nervousness about the contact that pelhams / kimblewicks can cause especially in a horse that is not forward the majority of the time. Also teaching a cob to sit behind the bit which is usuallly what happens when a combined bit is used is not great for future school work or control

 

[maya2008]

Keep the mouthpiece, change the cheeks. Anything stronger except kimblewick/Pelham will have loose ring so use bit guards (I grew up calling them biscuits) to stop that. I would use a Dutch gag in your situation or universal - down one ring to hack, main ring to school. My fleshy lipped mare usually hacks in one as I am often riding one handed while leading something else.

 

[motherof2beasts!]

Keep the mouthpiece, change the cheeks. Anything stronger except kimblewick/Pelham will have loose ring so use bit guards (I grew up calling them biscuits) to stop that. I would use a Dutch gag in your situation or universal - down one ring to hack, main ring to school. My fleshy lipped mare usually hacks in one as I am often riding one handed while leading something else.

So many universals do you have one in particular you recommend ? He was full of the joys again today , not sure if flush of grass, change in temp , coat changing …. Who knows but it’s not relaxing !

 

[motherof2beasts!]

Thanks all , he seems to get worse the stronger he is which is counter productive to the weight loss . At the moment he’s acting as if he’s just been given a bag of sweets , locks his neck , desperate for an inch to seize the opportunity to go fast. Trotting is the most uncomfortable when he’s managing trotting speeds of 12 mph and he’s only small ! Wish he exerted the same exuberance schooling

 

[maya2008]

So many universals do you have one in particular you recommend ? He was full of the joys again today , not sure if flush of grass, change in temp , coat changing …. Who knows but it’s not relaxing !

I have a bog standard shires Dutch gag with a French link (they do a lozenge and a single joint too). It’s been through a few horses/ponies. First ring down is just enough that brakes exist or that she is light in my hand if I only have one hand to use. Big ring is the same as a snaffle. Second ring is more leverage but I don’t usually use it. Has toned down many a pony’s antics when young or coming back into work.

 

[bubsqueaks]

We used the neue schule universal bit with our strong cob which has the option to just use as snaffle or more leverage - with a full check as its fixed its my understanding they can just hand onto the bit

 

[motherof2beasts!]

I have gone for this one

Comfy Barrel Universal | Expert Bits

expertbits.co.uk

 

[tda]

I have gone for this one

Comfy Barrel Universal | Expert Bits

expertbits.co.uk

What is the reason for the top of the bit rings to be different at each side, or is it just design?

 

[Cortez]

What is the reason for the top of the bit rings to be different at each side, or is it just design?

They are not different, it's just the way the photograph is taken - the small ring is offset.

 

[hollyandivy123]

schooling........... cob types tend to work on their forehand, its the way they are built, which means they can easily become hand heavy and lock. try to work on being on the back end not the front end, the more they have self carriage the lighter they are,

i also agree with Cortez, from experience Pelham and kimblewicks are really useful tool for these types. i also rate the kimblewick for pinging ponies and training the rider to be lighter in the hands (goes for both adults and kids)

 

[Bobthecob15]

I have gone for this one

Comfy Barrel Universal | Expert Bits

expertbits.co.uk

Those are good bits, lots of people rave about them! We've got an expert bits loose ring comfy barrel and our pony goes great in it! Hope it helps!

 

[motherof2beasts!]

schooling........... cob types tend to work on their forehand, its the way they are built, which means they can easily become hand heavy and lock. try to work on being on the back end not the front end, the more they have self carriage the lighter they are,

i also agree with Cortez, from experience Pelham and kimblewicks are really useful tool for these types. i also rate the kimblewick for pinging ponies and training the rider to be lighter in the hands (goes for both adults and kids)

He hates schooling but does now work really well in there but doesn’t display the same behaviours out …. He was used for driving in the past and took ages to be balanced in canter and did a real choppy driving trot, that’s now gone but take him out and he’s like a really annoying exuberant lab puppy.

 

[motherof2beasts!]

Those are good bits, lots of people rave about them! We've got an expert bits loose ring comfy barrel and our pony goes great in it! Hope it helps!

I hope so too , for schooling can just use as snaffle but got the curb chains for the super exciting times.

 

[Bobthecob15]

I hope so too , for schooling can just use as snaffle but got the curb chains for the super exciting times.

Fingers crossed lots of eventers use their universal bits which makes me think they are decent brakes

 

[motherof2beasts!]

Fingers crossed lots of eventers use their universal bits which makes me think they are decent brakes

Well If it’s good enough for them it’s good enough for my turbo pig.

 

[Cortez]

Fingers crossed lots of eventers use their universal bits which makes me think they are decent brakes

This will no doubt be a boring reply, but bits are not brakes. And unfortunately the equipment is only as good as the operator (that's the rider). It's training the cob needs, not ever more elaborate hardware. Best of luck.