Bit Advice Needed!

[pinkcauliflowercat]

I’m looking for some advice. I’ve had my pony for just over a month, and he’s a wonderful 5 year old Welsh X and he's good as gold. The only issue is that he gets quite speedy which isn't necessarily a bad thing but, both in the arena and when we’re out hacking. He’s amazing in walk and trot and will happily do this without rushing off, but as soon as I ask for canter, he tends to lift his head up and really go for it, which makes it hard for me to bring him back if I needed too. He will stop soon after but I don't want him to get into bad habits of thinging he can keep going. We don't always canter and I always canter in a different place on our hack.

He’s currently got a Wilkie Bevel Bit Horse Bit Snaffle with Lozenge bit as recommended by his previous owner and embarrassingly I’m not very knowledgeable about bits and don’t want anything too harsh. Does anyone have suggestions for something that could give me a bit more control without being too harsh? Thanks in advance!

 

[FitzyFitz]

The obvious step up from a wilkie is a universal bit/2 ring gag as it;s basically the same thing but bigger.

However, they lift the mouthpiece when the reins comes into action and can often contribute to them flinging their heads up. I'd be inclined to try something with curb pressure, either a kimblewick or a small butterfly pelham.

Also, how often do you canter? I find it tends to be more exciting if you don't do it very often, but appreciate it's scary if you aren't confident of stopping. Once the bit is sorted, try doing a lot more canter (calmly, sensibly, we don't want adrenaline highs) and see if it becomes less YEEHAW

 

[pinkcauliflowercat]

The obvious step up from a wilkie is a universal bit/2 ring gag as it;s basically the same thing but bigger.

However, they lift the mouthpiece when the reins comes into action and can often contribute to them flinging their heads up. I'd be inclined to try something with curb pressure, either a kimblewick or a small butterfly pelham.

Also, how often do you canter? I find it tends to be more exciting if you don't do it very often, but appreciate it's scary if you aren't confident of stopping. Once the bit is sorted, try doing a lot more canter (calmly, sensibly, we don't want adrenaline highs) and see if it becomes less YEEHAW

I’ve hacked him out 3 times in the field and cantered him twice and I canter him every time we school as well. He is very excited and he seems to just enjoy it a lot as do I! but I don’t want it to turn into a bad habit of him going off and only stopping when he wants too. As I really don’t want to pull on his mouth, as the bit doesn’t seem to be doing much for stopping control . I think once the bit is sorted that sounds like a good idea and I would feel comfortable to do so, but need some help on what to try him with.

 

[dorsetladette]

Can you get some help from an instructor? Welsh mature very slowly. t could easily be that he is just not balanced enough for the transition rather than 'running off'

Sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs.

Does he react the same way if asked to canter on the lunge? Is this a new trick?

 

[pinkcauliflowercat]

Can you get some help from an instructor? Welsh mature very slowly. t could easily be that he is just not balanced enough for the transition rather than 'running off'

Sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs.

Does he react the same way if asked to canter on the lunge? Is this a new trick?

That could well be the case! although my instructor did say he was pretty well balanced for his age. That’s okay - I am just taking whatever advice I can get although I’m definitely considering getting a bit fitter out. He usually does it for the first canter mainly on the right rein and after that he doesn’t really do it but it’s worse out hacking as I think it could be from the excitement

 

[silv]

Can you get some help from an instructor? Welsh mature very slowly. t could easily be that he is just not balanced enough for the transition rather than 'running off'

Sorry if I'm teaching you to suck eggs.

Does he react the same way if asked to canter on the lunge? Is this a new trick?

This, it could well be a balance issue, have been through this with my mare, after a few weeks schooling in the arena working on this she no longer rushes off on a circle and can hold a frame. Her go to was sticking her head in the air and rushing off, I have an elevator bit I use for hunting so used that a few times and it helped, she is now back in a snaffle. If you are unsure get some help from a decent trainer. Also make sure she is going nicely in the trot before you ask for canter and when she get strong bring her back to trot and settle her down with 10 meter circles etc.