Attn all bit experts pls

Firehorse

Firehorse

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when i bought my gelding, he came with a dutch gag, flash noseband and running martingale. in the 6 weeks i've had him, he's now started to settle down and is no longer madly excitable hacking, i've ditched the martingale. I know nothing about bits really and just wanted some advice on what my boy might need.

his previous owner had always ridden him in it, on the snaffle ring for hacking, first ring for jumping. she said she didnt change it as he seemed happy in it. i have been riding him on the first ring as he can get strong on hacks when we approach canter tracks, i've been trying to teach him we walk sometimes and the message is slowly getting thru. i will soon try him on the snaffle ring, now he is calmer and i'm more confident with him.

now, i know a dutch gag is an elevator bit. without the martingale, i hve noticed he does put his head up if i apply the brakes, so to me, this bit doesnt seem the right thing for him. why have an elevator bit for a horse who puts his head up? and then tie it down with a martingale? i do believe he needs something more than a simple snaffle, because he can have his moments. i dont want to be rushing out buying dozens of bits to try, so any tips and advice would be much appreciated. many thx!
 
What about a Cheltenham Gag with two reins. Then you have a snaffle when he is behaving but if he becomes strong you can use the gag rein. Cheltenham-Gag unlike continental gags as far as I am aware are supposed to help lower the head.
 
maybe a pelham? if you dont want to use 2 reins, add D loops.

If you want a snaffle a hanging cheek snaffle has the same action (sort of) as a gag on the snaffle ring!

Kimblewick might also work as a stronger alternative to a snaffle!
 
I agree the gag is an elevator type of bit and the martingale encourages the head down.

I also agree with Lucy Nottingham, try a bit which encourages head lowering such as a curb or a hanging cheek snaffle and see how you get on.
 
George always used to be in a dutch gag, but I now school hime in a myler mullen mouth hanging cheek, and at the moment for hacking and jumping he is going well in a slotted low port kimblewick with an elastic curb.
 
I was about to suggest a hanging cheek snaffle. If nothing else it's a good transition from a gag to a snaffle, if he goes well in that, you may be able to try a snaffle in a few months' time.

When he gets strong, what does he do? does he snatch at the bit (intermittently), lean on it or nothing in particular other than pull/not stop? Mine leans and a waterford mouthpiece helps to stop him doing it.
 
its hard to describe! to begin with when he knew we were gonna hve a blast he would start jogging and messing about, and wud put his head down briefly. he would do bunny hop rears, that if he didnt hve the martingale on, wud've been higher. on the way home, he would lower his head and snatch at the bit. he doesnt feel excessively strong to me, but then i'd been riding a heavy old cob who would lean very heavily on your hands. now, the rears and excitement hve stopped, but if for example, we have to stop at a road junction, he will side step, backup and generally wont stand still. altho that is getting better. if i put the brakes on, he will raise his head up. however, he will ALWAYS stop from even a flat out gallop. he had been ridden by a young, very good rider. she's done a lot of mounted games and pony club and whizzing about. he is now realising that i take a slower pace! altho we do enjoy a good gallop. i just dont think he needs a mouth of metal for what i do with him.
 
As some one who has a horse who will not stop until the horse in front has and leans constantly even when you let him go as fast as he likes, it doesn't sound like he needs brakes as such, but nice quiet riding. I would definitely go for a hanging cheek and then go down to a loose ring / eggbut snaffle of some sort if he's not too strong in it. You can always go back up if necessary. It doesn't sound like there's any need for a different mouth piece either. Try a bit with a lozenge as these are designed to be more comfortable for the horse but otherwise I'd keep it simple. It sounds like the more he settles and forgets about his old life, the less he'll need.
 
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