Any more suggestions on a bit for Finn? and saddle makes *pictures*

[charleysummer]

when I tried him he was ridden in a rubber mullen mouth dutch gag, although I moved it to the snaffle ring and he was no different- since I have ridden him twice in a bauchner french link snaffle and a loose ring lozenge snaffle- he was not too bad in the bauchner but crunched it and seemed to be unhappy with it moving around his mouth, the loose ring was terrible he really didn't like the movement of the bit- although he was responsive to it he was crunching and backing off the contact, also going BTV and messing with his head in transitions.

I am going to buy a mullen mouth rubber eggbutt snaffle next weekend and put him in that as it will have little movement - he shows common signs of being forced in by draw reins which is going to be fun to sort, whether he's had them on or not!... clearly not had him long so not jumping to conclusions or expecting too much- just want to make a good start and get him comfortable to start his education so getting a saddle fitted over the next couple of weeks (had him in the saddle that fits him best with pads- getting him fattened up a bit over next few weeks) and until then going to lunge him- without a whip as he is terrified of them.

Any suggestions for a bit? I want something dressage legal, I did want a double jointed bit to help aid his flexion but don't think he will settle in one.

And also any suggestions for saddle makes? I will just find a picture of his back.. he is quite high withered!

This is the saddle which doesn't fit too well- was just tacking him up to pose, and realise my half pad is too big so i have to swap it again !

thanks for reading, my posts do get long haha

ETA- the pictures do his weight incredible justice! he is much skinnier in real life and weigh tapes at 400kg at 15.2hh

 

[VickyP]

I don't have anything very intelligent add about bits or saddles! Bits are so trial and error but for mine who is gobby with loose rings and very movable bits, he settles better in a single jointed full cheek snaffle.

Saddles I wouldn't dare comment but what I did want to say is that your chap does have something about him! I like very much.

 

[mandwhy]

I am riding one at the moment who just looooves to chew everything, obviously chews the bit, he even tries to get the reins in his mouth?! He is in a single joint full cheek snaffle too, but will be curious about other suggestions.

He looks like a lovely chap though, he does need more muscle but doesn't look mega skinny so that camera must pile on the pounds, keep it away from me haha!

 

[Kallibear]

Borrow a couple of bits to try. I use a NS bit (transangle lozenge) for a very sensitive horse and it's brill, but not cheap.

He has a classic trotter back (he def looks like he's got a large spalsh of trotter in him!). Very flat front to back (no curve) but not particularly wide, and a fair bit of wither. He's not high withered though, just lacking muscle. I found cob saddle fitter my standardbred really well, at narrower fittings. Most of the 'standard horse' saddles were too curved for him. Maybe try a Thorowgood cob saddle: good depth of rear gusset to balance his higher withers, very flat tree.