best bit for very strong fell pony.....

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sallypops

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My wee fell is very very strong when hacking.....especially when heading home, but he can be bad when out on the open hills i feel like i have no brakes or steering lol! yesterday had my reins bridged trying to stop him but to no response, obviously hes a bit fresh with spring coming but I hate constantly having to pull on him....half halts do nothing either. Hes currently ridden in a full cheek snaffle any ideas?
My highland used to be like this too...I ride her in a pelham which is great, hardly need to use my reins but have the ability to stop her if you kno what I mean?
 
Does your pony tuck his head down when they tank or stick their nose out and set their neck?

If its the former a Pelham wouldn't help, a running gag would be preferable as Pelham is strong poll action.
 
My Dartmoor was like this but then I changed her bit to a neue schule bit (don't think I've spelt it right?) and it stopped her fixing her neck and tanking. Sometimes a stronger bit isn't what's needed it may be the nut cracker action the pony doesn't like.

Hope you find something that works :)
 
He sticks his neck out and runs....hes very hard to get nicely onto the bit. I do like my pelham cause when used properly its not harsh
 
The only bit that stopped my fell gelding years ago was a Sam Marsh Pelham but I don't even know whether you can get them now. VERY severe but he tested it once and totally respected it and thereafter I was able to ride him on a normal rein with light hands. Tried him in a double again, some time after, and he completely reverted to taking off - even with strong OH on board. Fells are lovable little sods and very often it's a matter of time and patience to achieve the best result.
 
I'm tempted just to try him in it? If he hates it or makes him worse I can alsways go back to the snaffle...I just hate havin to pull him all the time
 
Well if he is a stick neck out type a Pelham wouldn't be inappropriate. Though I would ideally want to see it used with 2 reins not roundings as otherwise you are punishing the horse all the time rather than deploying the second rein if or when it's required.
 
Dont bridge the reins it will cause you to lean forward which gives the horse the go faster signal, e.g. Racehorses.

Sit deep in your saddle and sit up straight and clench with your bum whilst giving and taking with the right rein and rewarding (giving the rein and a pat) when the horse relaxes his jaw and stops being strong. A stronger bit just makes for a stronger horse with a sore mouth.

Practice it does work.
 
I disagree that a stonger bit makes for a stronger horse with a sore mouth, Fells typical have a short mouth and large tongue with little palate room. A snaffle can be quite uncomfortable for them. They also tend to be thick necked, built like tanks and can have a very opinionated way of going. A pelham used correctly isn't a harsh bit, it just uses different pressure points which some horses prefer. All the fells I have ridden have been light and comfortable in a pelham.

I'd personally much rather see a horse light and responsive to a 'stronger' bit than hauled about in a snaffle. It is the riders hands that are an issue, not the strength of the bit.
 
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Well i have a cob who can be opinionated and has tanked off before and i have now learnt to ride with my backside, i never said a pelham was a harsh bit, a snaffle is harsher, if anything a pelham with a small mouth and full tongue can be a gob full, however if a horse has a problem 9/10 times a harsher bit just calls for a sore mouth. Use it or dont use it its my opinion.
 
He's got lovely schooling...its just when we're hacking. My wee highland that I put in the pelham rides so beautifully and light she now only ever needs the slightest touch of the reins.....he has a big neck and big shoulder build very strong, thank you for all your opinions
 
My fell went well in a pelham but he wasn't the tanking off type - rather the 'eat all you can' type so we never really had a problem with brakes...

On the other hand, I have had 2 arabs that tanked off. I agree with the sit back and deep and every other stride check the horse. That does work. I also swapped my mare's french link snaffle for a Kimblewick with a martingale and she's like a different horse. The trick is to get her head where you want it, ie down and mouthing the bit, before you ask for canter. That way she stays round and I stay in control.
 
putasocinit said:
Well i have a cob who can be opinionated and has tanked off before and i have now learnt to ride with my backside, i never said a pelham was a harsh bit, a snaffle is harsher, if anything a pelham with a small mouth and full tongue can be a gob full, however if a horse has a problem 9/10 times a harsher bit just calls for a sore mouth. Use it or dont use it its my opinion.
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There's no need to be so defensive putasocinit, I was simply disagreeing with your statement that a stronger bit makes for a stronger horse and a sore mouth. ;) That statement is only true with a heavy handed rider.

If a snaffle is 'harsher' then surely the pony will be better off in a pelham?

Anyway, just my opinion. :)
 
[deleted user] sorry I just meant in general his schooling is generally really good....didn't mean offense...thanks for all ur help guys will just keep wi the snaffle for now
 
Sallypops/ sallyballybee.?

Don't know of it will help but my friend's cob that I ride is like this too. He will put his head down and off he tonks:o I practice lots of halts and walk trot or canter to trot transitions with him when we hack. I like to know where the brakes are :cool: plus friend is not confident on him so it helps if I can reassure her that she can canter him and get him to stop when she wants.
 
putasocinit said:
Dont bridge the reins it will cause you to lean forward which gives the horse the go faster signal, e.g. Racehorses.

Sit deep in your saddle and sit up straight and clench with your bum whilst giving and taking with the right rein and rewarding (giving the rein and a pat) when the horse relaxes his jaw and stops being strong. A stronger bit just makes for a stronger horse with a sore mouth.

Practice it does work.
Click to expand...

At last:D
 
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