BIT ADVICE for an irish cob??

[mickeyblue]

hi all,
I wondered if any of you could give me some advice.
I own a 10 yr old 15.2hh,med-heavy weight irish cob.
I'v pretty much only ever used snaffles on him, tried a 3 ring gag once a few years ago-we both hated it! mainly due to the fact that he dosen't cope well with poll pressure.
He is currently in a straight forward copper roller D snaffle,and a flash noseband. i can just about get him on the bit in walk,but he tends to lean when in trott and canter if i try to maintain contact,all most as if he's relying on my arms for balance! i know schooling is needed here,i was thinking maybe a copper french link might suit us better for flatwork/schooling? also when he's out hunting/at shows he gets sooo strong and i have no brakes at all!he's been better since iv used the flash on him but someone suggested a full cheek waterford?

 

[mudmonkey17]

Hi,

i have used the kk ultra loose ring snaffle and the ns verbinend with good results as my cob seems to like the metal and accepts the bit easier. Currently use the ns universal for brakes.
As you say though nothing can substitute the schooling

 

[ThePony]

Cob types often have large tongues, so to get a responsive ride you need something comfortable in his mouth. I would get a shaped NS loose ring lozenge or a cotswold sport tongesaver loose ring. http://cotswoldsport.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=467
This will give him space for his tongue, won't give poll pressure or a jab in the roof of his mouth. I think you would have a much improved horse in one of those!! Also loose the flash, it will just serve to shut his mouth against the jabbing. Fixing the symptom not the cause. For the horse to maintain a soft contact (as well as the pre-requisite of working well from behind) they need to be soft and relaxed through their jaw, you will never achieve this by strapping the mouth shut. Comfort is the way forward to help you get on with schooling with a happy horse - will result in a more sensitive ride and give you a fab starting point to get him off his forehand.

 

[LauraPD]

It may not be a matter of changing his bit, but just working with what you've got. If he's happy in the bit, then it may just be a few schooling sessions and lessons to improve you both. Cobs find it hard to hold their head properly, and work from behind, so you may just need to supple him up, and get him holding himself rather than relying on you all the time. On nearly every dressage test I used to get was 'needs to be more supple' or 'needs to engage hindquarters more' as although he tucks his nose in, he finds it hard to hold himself correctly. We're working on it, and he's getting there.

 

[alicep]

i find that finding a bit that suits both you and your horse for a certain discipline can be very much trial and error. in this situation i would be inclided to try a waterford in some form as because they are not one solid piece, the horse will find it very difficult taking hold and leaning on this sort of bit. i find some horses love a waterford and feel very fluid but i think you need to be careful as this bit can pinch and some people may class it as a severe bit when used in the wrong hands. i agree with the other posts in that a flash is just strapping your horses mouth shut. you should address if hes comfortable in the bit -is there room for all mouth anatomy? is it rubbing or placing pressure somewhere? look at your horses mouth conformation. because of cobs fleshy mouths you might even want to consider something slightly ported for a bit of room for the tounge (if he does have a fleshy mouth)? i really liked the myler comfort snaffle with a port for horses that needed some tounge room plus on some you can add a curb chain for added brakes
again like others have said it is important to not neglect your schooling and keeping his suppleness up!

 

[Kat]

There are two issues here, the hunting and the schooling.

For schooling i'd be inclined to do as some of the others say and stick with a snaffle, and a dressage legal one if possible too. Go for a french link, and a thin mouthpiece to give him tongue room. Some people like mylers, I don't particularly, especially not for horses who tend to lean as they seem to be able to lock them out. A lot incorporate a bit of poll pressure too so if you fancy one go for the dressage legal one as that doesn't have any slots or hooks. Ditch the flash too and get lots of lessons. Cobs tend to find it easier to pull along on their shoulder than really engage their quarters so it will take lots of work to get him sitting and using his hocks. If he is very stuck in the habit of opening his mouth even when he is definitely comfortable in his mouth use a drop noseband or mexican grackle instead of teh flash.

For hunting, I would also ditch the flash (unless you use a standing martingale) but I would use a mexican grackle or drop as he has probably learnt that opening his mouth is a good way to evade pressure on the bit, these nosebands tend to be more comfortable for the horse whilst stopping the horse from opening his mouth. I would tend to go for something with stopping power, as he leans look at waterford, copper roller or twisted mouthpieces. As he doesn't like poll pressure avoid gags. You could try something like a waterford full cheek if he isn't too strong as long as he can't get a hold but I suspect that you probably need a bit more. I'd try a curb bit.

If you don't fancy riding with two reins try a kimblewick first, get one without slots to avoid any poll pressure at all. They are often really good for horses that are strong in fast work.

Lots of cobs go nicely in pelhams or double bridles. A double might be best as it gives flexibility in that you can change the curb bit and the bradoon independantly of eachother, on the otherhand a pelham takes up less space in the mouth.

 

[Britestar]

Much as the other really.My home bred cob always had very string opinions of how she went.

I found a loosering waterford with a flash was best for fast work, and a frenchlink for schooling.

She also went very nicely in a pelham with roundings and a flash (leather curb only). This is the combo I use when she taking others out for a ride.

 

[hairycob]

Try a loose ring french link instead of a D ring - harder to lean. As they are quite a popular bit you can usually find someone to lend you one to try.

 

[vicksey]

I have the same problems with my med weight irish cob. I always try to use a snaffle where possible, sometimes its rather scary and we have a difference of opinion but Im not a fan of bitting up. I use NS verbident loose ring snaffle most of the time.

We have been through all the issues with brakage and steering you can think of, so if Im having problems, I put either my full cheek waterford or full cheek french link in (With flash if needed), just for a week or 2, do some work with him and go back to the NS snaffle. The waterford I find just teaching him a few lessons with the leaning and the french link is great for steering!