Bit advice again!!

Bettyboo1976

Bettyboo1976

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ok so 14'2 large strong hafflinger.. was in dutch gag but not going well and leans lots.. after trying various bits i've settled on D ring with rollers = no leaning.. however we still have breaking issues... .. so any ideas? woman in tack shop advised trying him sweet iron tom tumb what do you gues think? was also advised cherry roller.. but concered cos this looks rather thick and pony has large tongue.

Pony has better breaks with me riding but when daughter on she really struggles cos he is big and strong..

I'd also not like to have to fight when asking for breaks.

Schooling wise.. he is very good at listening untill you up the pace to canter.. even when doing lots of transitions he just seems to know that once he has cantered on one rein the next rein he likes to anticipate. and thats when the trouble starts.. help?

Daughter wants to do xc in spring and reluctant for her to do it as she will have no brakes.

thanks in advance
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A cherry roller didn't stop my pony when he was strong (in fact he cantered right out of the school when some one left the gate open
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) although a friend used it on her cob who was a bit of a stresshead and she loved it as playing with it kept her occupied!

How about a pelham/kimblewick? My pony loves, and respects, his pelham.
 
Try a mullen pelham or a flash/grackle nose band if you want to keep the existing bit.

I would also school him so he does not anticipate canter all the time and vary your schooling programme. Keep him guessing as to what you will ask him to do next.
 
Try a mullen mouth or ported pelham, the jointed pelham gives confusing signals and many don't like it.

And use two reins, with practice you can jump with two reins, this enables you to use the top rein most of the time and just use the kerb when you actually need the breaks so you don't need to worry about hurting him. It is good practice for showing etc too.

Some horses stop leaning with a twisted snaffle, the principle is similar to a cherry roler, they can't keep hold as the twist makes it slide away.

You might be better with loose rings rather than a D-ring on a snaffle too as this makes it more difficult for the horse to fix on. A mexican grackle will help if he is opening his mouth to evade.
 
A pelham and kimblewick are designed to be used with a single mouthpiece. A jointed mouthpiece sends conflicting instructions and the curb action does not work.

If yours is anything like the haffy I knew, they have low pallets and thick fleshing tongues which means that the nutcracker action of a single jointed bit will bruise the tongue and pallet with contact.

A french linked or lozenged bit or a mullen/cambridge mouth with a port will be more comfortable for your haffy.
 
ddon't know about grackle (I'd imagine not but could be wrong...) - but I'd defo try it without the grackle anyway so if you have extra brakes you know it's because of the bit.
I use a metal chain, with a rubber guard. Make sure the chain is not too tight, but also not too loose or it shakes around and can trap beardy hairs etc.
 
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Also concered slightly that he will lean on the mullen? as he can grab hold of it? hmm...

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Murphy doesn't lean on his...I think mainly because he finds it really comfy and is happy in it. Maybe see if someone you know has one you can borrow for a few weeks to try it out?
 
I wouldnt use a grackle with a curb bit, it is considered incorrect and is too much for the horse to have in his curb area. Saying that some people find this works.

I would not try this initially, but see how things go. A leather curb is a softer option than a metal curb, but most horses are quite happy in either, its really how tight the curb is fitted which makes the difference. Some horses such as TBs have thin sensitive skin and it makes sense to use a leather one.

If your haffy is a typical haffy, they are pretty thick skinned and robust.
 
I had my leaner horse in a pelham and it made him worse, the curb action lowers the head and the head is lowered when they lean, therefore it helped him!

He goes better in a NS universal which raises his head up.

Saying that there are always exceptions to the rules. All horses are different and its a matter of trial and error.

I also think schooling would help. Haffys are very strong and intelligent ponies and use this to their advantage.
 
Your daughter would quickly learn to ride with two reins, little children often use double bridles in the show ring. She could start by using the two reins for lessons and schooling then roundings for XC, but she will quickly get used to two reins and appreciate how much better they work.

I saw an 11 year old hunting with two reins the other day.
 
I swear by my tom thumb, I have a very large, heavy cob x who leans and when he decides to go you have no chance. I use a tom thumb with double reins and when he either gets too heavy on the forehand or a little to much pull, I give him a reminder of the lower ring and it lifts him. I have the lozenge mouth peiece and it is brilliant.

Tried a pelham on him and he hated it - threw himself inside out

I plan shortly to have him in normal snaffle again, but with me not riding for 7 months it helps me re-educate him
 
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Roundings

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Roundings : totally negate the action of a Pelham, which is designed to be used with two reins.
A Kimblewick only has one rein - but can be quite severe in the wrong hands.
 
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I swear by my tom thumb,

- and me. Out hunting, I can ride off my two little fingers all day with a TT. Anything else and he leans, sometimes falls onto the fore-hand and can tink off in serious style. Better to wear something rather more severe than to have a war all day - which is no fun for either of you.
 
i use a waterford gag like a dutch gag but waterford in ther middle its brill my mare diddnt like a pelham and headshaked with it but doesnt with the gag i love for jumping as i have brakes and also your horse is used to the way the gag feels
 
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