Best bit for a youngster that leans?

haejilnyeok

haejilnyeok

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Hi guys just looking for advice as I'm not too familiar with bitting horses. I've a little 6yo gelding who's a very sweet little boy but my only problem I'm having with him is that he leans and runs downhill when you push him forward, particularly when we're jumping. I currently have him in a eggbutt snaffle and he's not exactly strong but he just gets so heavy in your hands even though he's not pulling. I really don't want to put him in something strong since he's only a baby and he's not pulling but I've no idea what to do when it comes to leaning.
 
Would that not be too strong? I've heard of waterfords being good for ones that lean but I've heard they're quite harsh and I really don't want to harden his mouth
 
its a cliche, bu bits are only as harsh as the hands that use them. I usually find it a nice gentle bit that just collapses when you give forward contact when the horse leans. It's only a harsh bit that doesn't work properly if the rider pulls and makes the bit solid instead of collapsing it. If you have soft hands and a feel for contact then they aren't harsh at all. I usually only use them a few times and then the horse establishes that it can't lean,
 
I tried a few different bits for my leaner, like you did not want to put him in a Waterford unless I had exhausted other options as with him it was a schooling issue and I knew he would not stay heavy in my hands. He hated loose rings so I put him in a Cotswold Sports Eggbutt Tongue Saver Lozenge, which is essentially a much cheaper dupe of the Neue Schule Verbindend - but the NS only comes in a loose ring.
 
It's more likely that a horse will develop a "hard" mouth in a mild bit, used strongly. A stronger bit (or think of it as a more effective bit) will enable the rider to have softer hands, and make sure that the horse never learns to lean.
 
I've thought about a loose ring snaffle as I know it wouldn't have the same stability as the eggbutt but I don't know how sizing would work as I'd use rubber bit rings so it wouldn't nip him. All I know he's been ridden in the past is an eggbut snaffle and a copper roller so I've no idea what's gonna work for him.
 
I like a loose ring snaffle with a lozenge - possibly a copper mix. Something that moves every time they take a hold. I would not personally go for a waterford straight off the bat
 
First port of call would be a loose ring and some lessons. Sounds more a schooling issue than a bitting issue.
 
I'd agree with Queenbee. Loose ring with a lozenge. My 6yo goes really well in a copper mix. I don't think it's appropriate to suggest something stronger without knowing the horse and rider, tbh.
 
If he's 6 years old, chances are he's just green and unbalanced.

Personally, I'd keep him in what he is in & work on improving his schooling & balance.
 
My youngster went through a phase of getting on his forehand and being heavy in front when I was asking for a bit more forwardness than he was able to balance. Trainer advised a rapid halt and rein back and then carry on with what we were doing. Then you can make it more subtle until you are getting the response you want to a half halt. Worked for us. The hardest thing for me was learning to be quicker to feel when it was just starting to go wrong and making a small correction at that point rather than letting him get really heavy before I noticed and did something about it. My boy is in a loose ring lozenge snaffle.
 
Just a thought - have you tried a Micklem bridle? My boy leaned a lot but was transformed by a Micklem bridle. I thought they were just a gimmick and didn't try one for years, then felt very guilty when it made a big difference! They seem to work for some but not all horses. If they do work they seem to make a huge difference.
 
Thanks guys I think I'll get him a loose ring snaffle and see if that makes a difference with him :) I'm currently saving up for a Micklem so hopefully he'll like it! I've heard such good things about them so hopefully it'll work for him :D
 
The young horses I have had who leaned invariably did it because they were weak/growing so downhill/unbalanced. While having a soft bit which collapsed, putting work in to strengthen them up gradually behind was what made the difference. So somewhat old fashioned it seems, but walk to canter, reinback, moving forward at a good pace then lateral work, all helps build up the strength behind. I never expected an overnight fix, I was always aware that I must be sure not to make them sore but fixing the front without working behind won't work.
 
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