Big strong horse - Bit advice please - I know you love these!

[arwenplusone]

I need to find a good bit for my big grey.
Basically, I need brakes for jumping, particularly on grass!

He is ridden in a loose ring snaffle on the flat but at the moment I have to jump him in a 3 ring gag (on the bottom ring). He is super at jumping, never stops & will fly round a course, but at the moment I feel a bit like a passenger. Now the tracks are getting bigger, I need to be able to get him to listen to me more & I need to be calling the shots.

He is 16.3 and has a massive shoulder. Riding from my seat more helps a lot but to be honest, when he's enjoying himself he barely feels me.

I would say that he pulls rather than leans. He does not have a hard mouth.

I have tried a waterford (he pissed off with me in it out on a hack so no good)
I have tried a hanging cheek (basically ignored it)
I have tried a pelham (he works beautifully in it BUT he's pretty sensitive in it & I don't want to jump with two reins)
The 3 ring gag works but I don't like using it with just one rein.
I hate roundings.

So what else can I use? I thought a cheltenham gag but would I need 2 reins? Or should I try a myler combination or something

Thanks. 4 finger kitkats to you for getting this far...

 

[AmyMay]

Never mind about the bloomin horse - what about the Cat Tail survey results????

 

[china]

[ QUOTE ]
Never mind about the bloomin horse - what about the Cat Tail survey results????

[/ QUOTE ]
ditto!!

 

[arwenplusone]

PMSL you two!

I am trying to work out a way to publish results on the web - will get to it soon - I promise!

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
will get to it soon - I promise

[/ QUOTE ]

Promises, schmomises. The suspense is killing my three!

 

[KatB]

Try a universal with a curb strap. Similar to a pelham, but very acceptable with one rein, and a more direct action to the gag.

 

[Gingerbird]

And back to the subject of biting!

Have you thought about a traditional english gag (you know the one where the cheek piece runs through the bit ring). Not an overly harsh bit and it will give you leverage which may just give you the edge you need?

 

[TequilaMist]

Knew a few folk that had great success with one of the myler combination bits.Said the only thing she found was to remember not to check him as much as she had to previously(gee does that make sense)she used it x crountry.

 

[nobbster]

could you not use roundings on the bits u need two reins for. x

 

[nobbster]

sorry just read the roundings bit hehe

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

nobbster she said in the OP that she hates roundings.

 

[Persephone]

I found the Universal to be excellent for my mare, she is happy in it but respects it too. She also bas a huge shoulder and gets a bit low and heavy SJ but I found the Universal really "lifted" her front end.

On the other hand how about a slotted Kimblewick with the same mouthpiece as the successful pelham?

 

[arwenplusone]

[ QUOTE ]
Try a universal with a curb strap. Similar to a pelham, but very acceptable with one rein, and a more direct action to the gag.

[/ QUOTE ]

That sounds like a good idea. ('scuse my ignorance but is that a KK universal you mean?)

 

[arwenplusone]

[ QUOTE ]
And back to the subject of biting!

Have you thought about a traditional english gag (you know the one where the cheek piece runs through the bit ring). Not an overly harsh bit and it will give you leverage which may just give you the edge you need?

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Gingerbird, I will add that to my list.
Think I will become a one woman bit bank soon! lol.

 

[arwenplusone]

[ QUOTE ]
Knew a few folk that had great success with one of the myler combination bits.Said the only thing she found was to remember not to check him as much as she had to previously(gee does that make sense)she used it x crountry.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you. I did wonder about these - never used one before though - will do a bit of research.

 

[KatB]

Yep, like the KK one, but try a Neue schule one, FAR cheaper

 

[_Rach_]

a tom thumb gag! you can use it both ways it has copper rings round the middle and copper lumps on the inside.
http://www.bitworld.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1955
i put mil in it whens she getting keen works a treat
x

 

[Marchtime]

I had the same problem and tried a 3 ring, pelham and various other bits. Found the best bit was a Kimblewick (although being difficult he liked it without the port). Took some tracking down but was by far the best.

 

[MissGem]

Totally agree about the Universal - excellent bit.

 

[Silverspring]

Scourier?