Bit advice please!

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marinitagsd

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www.marinita-sportshorses.com
I normally ride my girl in a loose ring copper losenge but have been having one or two problems at the faster paces and when jumping. She has a fairly soft mouth with a fleshy tongue and can get a bit excited when out with others but if I have to use more pressure on my reins she fights me, throwing her head down and totally draining me of my strength that I don't have alot of due to my illness. Could you please suggest something that would give me that little bit extra control when I need it, any advice would be gratefully received. Someone recommended a dutch gag but I'm not too sure if this would be too harsh.
Thanks
xx
 
Mabe you could try one of these, i gives a little more leaverage and is usefull for horses a bit strong in an ordinary snaffle, but do like strong bits.
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or try a kimblewick, these are very good on strong horses depending on where you put the rein, you can make it stronger, if shes geed up.

211896-kimberwick-bit by tinkandlily, on Flickr
 
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I used to jump and xc Bonnie in a French link Dutch gag, and it seemed to stop her well and I didn't get any of the head-throwing that I did trying to stop her in milder bits... so I can only assume she was more comfortable with the gag :) Could you borrow one to give it a try?
 
I had a mare that was like this - I changed to a crank noseband as it didn't really matter what bit I had in she would still pull like heck, but with a crank on, properly fitted and tight enough she was ok.

I used to hack with it fairly loose then tighten it up if we went SJ'ing.
 
I def wouldn't use a single link. It will jab her in the roof of her mouth, and it looks like you use a flash (sorry, assuming that is you in your sig?), so she wouldn't be able to open her mouth to get away from the pressure. My mare can really lean as the french link gave too much tongue pressure (she has a big tongue), so she is in a cotswold sport tongue saver now (v similar to the neue schule but gives more tongue relief and is a bit cheaper too) which she is much more comfortable and responsive in. Occationally she does still have a bit of a lean, you will never pull harder than her as she is alot heavier and stronger than you! So I just release the rein pressure and then ask again, responsiveness returned! When she leans she totally ignores rein pressure, so releasing makes the world of a difference! If you still need a bit more say then the baucher or wilkie are really good steps up. If you go with a baucher then it is dressage legal too - if that is important to you? Personaly wouldn't go straight from what you are in to a dutch gag, it is a big step, esp as you say she is nice and soft in her mouth.
 
Depending on whether she is more sensitive around her ears or in her mouth you may find a conventional gag encourages her to bring her head down- not up.

There are three solutions I can think of-

1. Try her in the same bit but with a narrower mouthpiece- this will give her tongue more room and may stop her trying to evade the contact- and it will also give a slightly 'sharper' contact, hopefully meaning she will listen to you more.

2. You could also try something with a curb- a kimblewick if you are old fashioned or a neue schule universal if you want something a bit more modern ;) :p :D These bits apply pressure to the groove of the chin when a stronger contact is taken, thus encouraging the horse to lift their head

3. (if it is the horse in your siggy) it might be worth tightening the headstall of the noseband, so the noseband sits higher up her face- just under the cheekbone (or perhaps try a drop or grackle instead?) This is because (in the middle picture in particular) she looks like she may open her mouth to evade the contact and strapping it shut is an alternative to option 1 above :)
 
Trying not to be contentious so please don't have a go! (the forum has been a bit mad recently!)
Cliqmo, I'm afraid I disagree with you. Please don't think that strapping the mouth shut is a solution! The flash looks like it fits nicely (good 'ole pony club two finger widths below the cheekbone!), not too tight but just right! If the horse is opening its mouth to evade the contact then you are being given a message - most often of discomfort. Although strapping the mouth shut removes the action, it doesn't remedy the situation at all.
 
glosgirl said:
Trying not to be contentious so please don't have a go! (the forum has been a bit mad recently!)
Cliqmo, I'm afraid I disagree with you. Please don't think that strapping the mouth shut is a solution! The flash looks like it fits nicely (good 'ole pony club two finger widths below the cheekbone!), not too tight but just right! If the horse is opening its mouth to evade the contact then you are being given a message - most often of discomfort. Although strapping the mouth shut removes the action, it doesn't remedy the situation at all.
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I totally agree that strapping the mouth shut is not a 'solution' (the only real solution is hard work and schooling afterall) but if it is a naughty habit the horse has learned (rather than being an evasion to pain, which I tackled in option 1) then it will provide an alternative answer to changing the bit umpteen times :)
 
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Thanks so much for your replies. I only put the flash on when jumping and faster paces out with other horses. Do you think this is why she is shaking her head and fighting me? I once tried a myler bit at camp and she was good but don't know if it was the bit or she was tired from the previous day's work!
x
 
Shaking her head and fighting certainly sounds like a discomfort/pain reaction- I would try a similar bit with a narrower mouthpiece in the first instance, as it is likely to do the job :D
 
Cliqmo said:
I totally agree that strapping the mouth shut is not a 'solution' (the only real solution is hard work and schooling afterall) but if it is a naughty habit the horse has learned (rather than being an evasion to pain, which I tackled in option 1) then it will provide an alternative answer to changing the bit umpteen times :)
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Fair doos, didn't want to offend. It is one of my pet peeves, so I do tend to over react to suggestions like that!!!
 
Have you considered putting roundings on. I've found them very beneficial with my hackney x, gives me more control and better brakes!!!, and has meant I dont have to use a more severe bit.
 
mandyrawl said:
Have you considered putting roundings on. I've found them very beneficial with my hackney x, gives me more control and better brakes!!!, and has meant I dont have to use a more severe bit.
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Putting roundings on what? Roundings give you less control of a Pelham/Dutch gag as it bulnts the message completely. Both bits should only ever be used with two reins.

Agree with most of what has been said. Try a narrower mouthpiece or one with a port to give more tongue room. Cheeks I would suggest something with a little poll action - hanging cheek or Kimblewick maybe.
 
I have a happy mouth Dutch gag I'm sure that would be fine for your horse especially if you had it on the middle ring, give it a try it worked well for my pony
 
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