Bit advice please!

LaurenM

LaurenM

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As title really!

What would you recommend for a strong horse that tends to avoid the bit?

I've got him in a gag like this at the minute but he tries escaping the contact and although fine for hacking, he gets alot worse when riding out in a group in it as he'll canter off to avoid the contact. - http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product.php?xProd=209&xSec=20

He was in a happy hacker when I bought him but didn't like it. http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product.php?xProd=145&xSec=40

And I was riding him in a full cheek for a few months like this one but he's too strong;
http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product.php?xProd=189&xSec=17

I've been told alot of advice but unsure which to try next i.e. using a flash, trying a pelham etc.
 
I'd try a flash and see how that works before changing, and mabe a martingale to stop him putting his head up high enough to evade the contact

If not a kimblewick, is a good bit, it's not as strong as a pelham, and most have slots in the rings so you can alter the amount of leverage. I find this works well with my mare, when we do fast work it can put the rein on the bottem slot and have more control, but when we're hacking out and she's not so strong, i can put the rein on the ring normaly, and have less leverage, my mare prefers this as i don't have to use a differnt bit for different things


http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://bitsandbootssaddlery.com/images/si-33.jpg&imgrefurl=http://bitsandbootssaddlery.com/index.php%3Fmain_page%3Dproduct_info%26cPath%3D2%26products_id%3D78&usg=__Xnc1QooHlogqYsIu_OvaehG-plM=&h=621&w=1212&sz=301&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=WfV6viJF8UrxRM:&tbnh=84&tbnw=164&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dkimblewick%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox%26biw%3D1001%26bih%3D372%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C5&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=257&vpy=84&dur=2995&hovh=161&hovw=314&tx=126&ty=83&ei=Zn2rTKakJcvqObK6xPIG&oei=Zn2rTKakJcvqObK6xPIG&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=9&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&biw=1001&bih=372
 
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Whats he like in the school? Same thing?

I am really tempted to say that it could be schooling issues. I try to work through issues rather than put stronger bits in, flashes and anything to mask the problem. I presume teeth, back etc are all fine.

Maybe try a myler. These are nice bits and my mare goes very nicely in hers. The shape avoids the nutcraker action and its a sweet iron, so she can mouth on it. Other nice bits are the neue schules.
 
When you say avoid the bit - what is he doing? Head in air, mouth open and tanking off? Chin on chest? Or just not respecting your hand and tanking off?

Definitely agree with saddle/back and teeth checks - do you have a knowledgeable mate who you could ask to help - or seek out a recommended instructor that could help you straighten out your problems? It is very difficult to recommend bits when you can't see the problem firsthand!
 
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He used to put his head low and long and then canter/trot off. Now his head carriage is higher and if everyone is walking, he'll want to trot/canter off, when half halting he won't listen and will slow down when he wants and then go off again.

He did have teeth problems with a previous owner hence why I think he prefers bits that take up less space in his mouth. Teeth, back and tack have all been checked though.

In the school he's fine, he can be strong but it doesn't bother me. It's mainly when he's ridden with mares that he gets especially strong but it's been suggested that one of the mares winds him up.

Thanks for all the answers. I will do more schooling once our riding paddock is free and will try a flash to see if that makes a difference.

Is there any schooling exercises that will encourage him to listen to me more?
 
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