bit advice please

[jensheff26]

my big cob is currently rode in a pelham with roundings she was in this when i bought her 3 weeks ago she is incredibly strong and as shes not been out on her own for 2 years we are having a few issues with this, she will be ok for a while but then suddenly turns for the field and canters home, iv tried everything she dosent respond to the bit at all its as tho its not there, iv tried circles etc but nothing she will ride out with others fine but its just the issue on her own am just glad we dont have any roads to cross. i can ride for a hour or so with her completely listening to me before this happens,would changing her bit work for the control if so to what? any ideas

 

[tinkandlily]

Have a got at a full cheek snaffle, then you'll be more able to turn her, sometimes with strong horses, people put them in stronger bits thinking they'll have more brakes, not so, a lot of the time it makes them worse, they just need schooling right. My mare used to be ridden by a girl, who put her in a pelham, as she felt she would have more control, but the last time she rode her, my mare ran away with her, and she just could not stop her.
I now ride her in a eggbutt snaffle, with a flash, and she's perfect,


Though, i think is more pushing the boundries, if you can ride her for an hour without any problems, then its more her saying she's had enough, could you get off and lead untill she calms down?

 

[scatty_mare]

To be honest it doesn't sound like a change of bit will solve your problem.

If you have only had her 3 weeks give her a chance! Some horses take a long time to settle, especially mares.
She obviously isn't confident to be ridden out by herself just yet, although if you say it only happens after an hour why not just stick to shorter rides by yourself for a few weeks?
Spend lots of time with her at the stables, grooming and doing ground work etc so that she gets to know and trust you, and to understand you're her leader.
Schooling will also really help, and maybe get some lessons from a good instructor? The more you can do the better, she will become more responsive and you will get to know her better and probably learn to stop her spinning round before she has thought about it.
I absolutely don't think you should change her bit to anything stronger.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Try getting rid of the roundings and using 2 reins instead. The curb rein only needs to come into play when you want to stop and the horse isn't keen on the idea. A friend of mine changed her tack and the horse nearly sat down the first time she used the 2 reins, she hadn't realised just how effective her aid would be.
I agree, though, that you haven't had her for very long. I would stick to hour long hacks max, until you get to know and trust each other properly.