Bit advice for a strong pony

[bkneil]

Looking for advice on our hill pony. We’ve owned him 11 years. He’s in a full cheek snaffle. I’ve never found him strong but haven’t ridden him in some years as I power lift and am too heavy. A friend who rides him thinks he is. My 10 year old daughter does find him to be strong. Personally I think she’s over gentle , I’ve overdone the explaining how a bit works and how harsh they can be in the wrong hands. I’m thinking of trying a kimblewick as he also tends to chuck his head up and fly buck when excited and I’ve read they encourage the head down? Can someone explain what influences choice of ported/single/double jointed? I was thinking single jointed as it’s closer to what he’s in now. But I’ve read opinions that jointed are useless and if you want a kimblewick get ported. Also, whether to get a slotted one with choice of rein positioning. My worry is the curb chain - when we used to ride him in a flash, my friend tightened it one day, he acted up for half the ride till I suggested loosening it back off then he was fine. I’m thinking the curb chain may cause a similar reaction unless perhaps I start with it loose and very gradually tighten it. Grass reins have been suggested but I’m not wanting to strap him down. Just need to keep my daughter safe - we’ve had trouble with him and illness (lami, foot soreness) for a long time, he’s been in and out of work. He now has a Cushings diagnosis (previously tested negative), is settled on pergolide and feels so well he’s like a different pony to her and it’s jogged her confidence. He’s not bad just keen. Sorry for essay

 

[Kaylum]

The more you strap him down the more uncomfortable he will become. Take off his noseband and see what he is like. Also does his bridle fit properly?

 

[bkneil]

Yes, bridle fits, bit fits, just in a regular noseband and snaffle at the moment. I’m not an extra gear and strap down kind of person, just need my daughter to be able to stop him safely

 

[Barton Bounty]

I would give a 3 ring gag a try that way you can start off soft and ramp it up if you need to

 

[dreamcometrue]

A ported kimblewick is a great bit for some strong ponies. I use one with slots on my Connemara for hacking in the summer because she pulls the reins through my hands to dive for grass on the verges. ( I have weak shoulders and she is starving!). She respects it and remains light in the contact so all is good.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Have you tried a wilkie or a universal? Can play with the rings a bit. I'd be concerned about a kimblewick in younger hands unless they are very experienced...our instructor suggested the same for our previous strong pony but I wasn't happy with it so went to the wilkie. None of these are dressage legal though if she does any dressage x

 

[bkneil]

I was leaning towards a kimblewick as it encourages them to lower the head. I have a 3 ring gag but read they encourage the head up as I guess a Wilkie might with its mild gag action. He does put his nose in the air when he’s strong or putting in a cheeky fly buck. I don’t think she’d use it harshly him as she’s almost too gentle and worries about his mouth- she is quite balanced and has steady hands so doesn’t hang off the mouth.

 

[bkneil]

It’s just I’m not sure whether to use ported or jointed and why you’d choose one over the other

 

[SpeedyPony]

It might be a case of suck it and see- the ported will have a clearer curb action, but the pony might be happier with something more similar to the mouthpiece you have now.
Places like the bit bank will let you order both and trial them- you can then send back the one (or both) that doesn't suit.
As for slotted cheeks- they can be handy for the stronger types, but they do limit how you can alter the action of the curb- with a traditional kimblewick the height of your hands will, to an extent, influence how much curb action there is.

 

[dreamcometrue]

It’s just I’m not sure whether to use ported or jointed and why you’d choose one over the other

The ported mouthpiece is kind and simple. It allows a better action for the curb. I use a lozenge snaffle for schooling and winter riding but she’s perfectly happy with the ported kimblewick. IMHO jointed mouthpiece plus curb and rein slots would have too much going on. Keep it simple.

 

[bkneil]

Thanks for your replies. The issues started when we finally got a Cushings diagnosis (2nd test a year after the first and constant lami struggles) and got him settled on pergolide- he was so happy and very forward which unnerved her as she wasn’t used to him being normal. I’ve decided to keep him in his snaffle for now. My daughter loves hacking so we aren’t worrying about schoolwork for now just increasing her confidence so I’m back on foot running alongside and getting her to do lots of transitions to see how she goes slowing him. Have also popped a neck strap on for confidence. It’s working so far, she’s remembered she does know how to ride using her body and that she loves that pony. It gave her a bit of a boost when I told her she’d basically brought him back into work by herself and she’s over the hardest bit, he’s more settled too x

 

[maya2008]

My ‘next step’ for kids is a 3 ring gag short term - get control back, add more schooling and/or more exercise, then swap back out.

 

[bkneil]

Just to update I didn’t put any gear on him in the end. I rode him and he’s really sensitive, could ride him on the buckle and he’d still come back to walk when I used my seat and said the word walk gently. I reasoned that he was feeling fresh after being poorly for so long and he’d bucked her off (very deliberately which is not like him) due to her nerves and holding too tightly whilst asking him to trot - after 30mins in a lesson he’d had enough.
Went back to basics, she loves hacks so no schooling, I led him out to start and talked through constantly what she should be doing and checking her contact. I’m still running alongside but she’s back off the lead now and was very surprised how easy he is to stop when he does his super speedy trots. I was very surprised how fast I can run . So we are getting there and she’s fallen back in love with him. Thanks all