Bit advice - sorry!

LaurenM

LaurenM

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What's the next step up from a snaffle (dummy question)?

I don't know the technical name for the one he currently has but it's covered by rubber (might be happy mouth?). It came with him - haven't seen many on the internet. Think it's 5 1/2 but is too big and he has a smallish mouth. The next previous owner had him in a full cheek.

My friend has suggested a weymouth but I wasn't sure if an eggbutt would be better or go back to the full cheek?

I only want to increase as he can be very strong and stubborn (cob) when he wants to be!
 
maybe try a thinner bit, like a loose ring french link (i have the mark todd one which is quite thin), or a baucher (half cheek snaffle)?? Weymouth is part of a double bridle and is quite harsh (in the curb family). I would stick to snaffles, maybe dr.bristol or waterford, cherry roller if he is very strong.
 
Preferably use a french link if you are not already.
My friend has a strong and stubborn cob type pony who was in a plain snaffle, I suggested a 3 ring (Dutch gag). She has had a lot of success in controlling him now. http://www.dragonflysaddlery.co.uk/addtocart.asp?itemid=1021
Obviously different for every horse, I used to use a baucher (half cheek) which was useful with my horse.
 
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can you give some more about his mouth confirmation? Often a more comfortable bit (instead of just amping up the strength) for the horse results in a more responsive and sensitive ride for the rider. When he is strong, do you mean he tanks off with you, leans on you, comes behind the bit or is just unresponsive? All of those can be a result of being uncomfortble in the mouth.
 
QR
I've know a lot of horses that lean on a straight bar so might be worth trying a french link or lozenge. An eggbutt is nice and simple, or a loose ring is preferable if they are inclined to lean. A full cheek will help you with your steering and can come with either eggbutt or loose rings. A hanging cheek will help to keep the bit more stable in the mouth and exerts some poll pressure, however others will disagree with statement.

A weymouth is designed to be used as part of a double, does your friend use it on it's own, or does she mean a pelham?
 
He will put his head down and speed up when hacking with others, when I lunge him he plays with it (used to be alot worse i.e. half out of his mouth as previous owner didn't have it fitting correctly) and when ridden alone he's not strong just stroppy as he'll plant his hooves in the ground.

The bit is quite big so wouldn't imagine that it is comfortable for him. I'm going to the tack shop later to look at some french link snaffles.
 
Monkeybum13 - Think she uses it on it's own. I like the sound of the lozenge - will have to have a good nosey when I'm at the shop! He doesn't lean luckily but does hold his head quite high - will the bit make a difference with his head carriage?

Thanks for the help!
 
if he is a typical cob you might find he has quite a large tongue, in which case a rubber bit would be quite uncomfortable as he just won't have the room in his mouth to accomadate it. I would try a french link with lozenge, or something forward ported to help give his tongue space. Loose rings are sometimes suggested for horses that lean, though ime if the bit is comfy and the horse is working forwards well then the horse rarely leans. To encorage a consistent contact eggbutt cheeks work quite well as the french link already has plenty of movement, and the eggbutt just helps it to be steady for the horse.
Would recommend speaking to a bit bank, these are good with advice http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/
this is a fab bit http://cotswoldsport.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=467
 
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