Best brakes for a young horse

[AdrianMcBride]

Hi

Hunted my 5 year old 17"2 RID at weekend for first time. Normally a calm mild mannered sleepy horse. He went mad jumped everything in his path but no control or brakes whatsoever. Would sometimes put head down and go. Riding in a snaffle bit with noseflash. Any ideas as to a better bit for breaks and will he calm down with more hunts. Am not a confident jumper so this was not a good expierience.

 

[junior_7178]

I would train rather than just change the bit.
What will you do if you change his bit and he gets used to it and then just does the same?

 

[Rachelsemmens]

I tried a wide range of bits and found a loose ring waterford the best for my young horse out hunting. I also hunt in a grackle as he will cross his jaw.

 

[AdrianMcBride]

Dont think it is a training problem. He is light as a feather when out on his own and will stop from a gallop with lightest of contact in a snaffle. On the hunt field nothing was stopping him.

 

[AdrianMcBride]

What training would you suggest

 

[Springs]

Hi,

If he sticks his head down between his legs then someting along the lines of a Dutch gag would help.

 

[sloulou]

Sorry but even very well schooled horses are nutty out hunting! I can't think how you would train a horse to be calm out hunting - you can't replicate it! You have to train whilst you are out hunting really... And stronger brakes are better than hauling on their mouths - IMHO.

I have same issues myself! I took my 6 yr old for the first time just over a week ago - in a demi anky with cheeks (so basically a snaffle!) and a plain cavesson noseband - and I had rubbish brakes (and he is a very quiet horse normally)

So I went again on Sat and tried a Pelham with two reins - which was actually quite good... I mainly rode on the sbnaffle rein - but a couple of times I used the bottom rein and it did seem to work.

However - next time I am going to try a kimblewick I think - I don't think I need the full pelham thing...

What I am trying to say is - something with two reins gives you options

 

[Nats_uk]

I would train rather than just change the bit.
What will you do if you change his bit and he gets used to it and then just does the same?

I'm sorry, my horse is very well schooled and I SJ in a snaffle but he becomes a bold, bolshy (fun!) horse out hunting.

I first went in a dutch gag but found my horse just stuck his head between his knees when I tried to stop. I have switched to a rubber pelham with roundings and although he is still strong I have much more control and braked. I can also contain him when he tits around!! He does open his mouth/cross his jaw so I use a flash noseband (found it interferes less with the curb action then a grackle)

 

[AdrianMcBride]

What about a myler combination? Any one any expierience of using one and results?

 

[Agent XXX999]

I agree with the above, something like a pelham with 2 reins gives you options.

 

[Karswell]

I have started hunting a 5-y-o this season and was determined to keep him in a snaffle if I possibly could. I did some hound exercising and lots of cubbing and it seems to have paid off. I always ride him with a flash and make sure it's quite tight. He can however be really strong. But what I have really found what works better than anything when I want to stop is sitting deep in the saddle with a straight back so that I can feel my pelvis bones - within in a few strides he comes back onto the bit. It feels brilliant.

If that doesn't work, don't hesitate to use a dutch gag or anything which stops him!