bit advice

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Zobaby

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my 16.2hh, 8 year old IDxTB can get strong in the school, especially when jumping and is also very heavy on the forehand and leans. I do lots of transitions with him, gridwork etc. to improve his lightness and am getting lessons. However i was wondering if anyone could suggest a bit to give me a touch more brakes and maybe lighten him up a bit too?
The only problem is, he rears - generally only whenever he is alone, but recently has started when he gets excited or frustrated, but only very occasionally. also maybe because my hands are heavy due to his leaning! anyway, i can't use a very strong bit as this could pull him up. he is currently ridden in a plain single jointed eggbutt snaffle, and sometimes i even feel that is a bit sharp, as i feel him about to rear sometimes when i ask him to slow down. for his rearing i would put him in a rubber or plastic bit, only this would give me less brakes! any help appreciated
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i have always been taught to let go of the contact when they are getting heavy in the hand. I found it quite scary as a previous instructor told me to shove both hands up towards the ears. New intructor tells me to just to throw one hand up, usually inside rein. I can't believe the diffference , it works a treat he instantly carries his own head. i would try that and lots of transitions before looking for a sronger bit.
 
ok thanks
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i'll try that - thats a new one!

i've had this problem for a while, and have done lots of schooling with him and had lessons, but he seems to be getting slowly lighter, but quickly stronger, if you know what i mean?! he carries himself better, but when i jump he charges at it, whcih he didn't used to do. its frustrating!

but i'll try more schooling and only change his bit as a last resort!
 
Maybe get rid of the eggbut and go for a hollow mouth loose ring? Actually I ride everything in a hollow mouth loose ring unless it's certifiable, so I probably am not the best person to ask!
 
Thing is, a single jointed eggbutt isn't that mild as it has a nutcracker action which many horses dislike (unless it's a curved one). I would try a loose ring lozenge linked bit or a waterford. Waterfords are good for horses that lean and they are not strong bits (unless you have strong hands of course).
 
or a happy mouth? a bit like what has been said already transitions and giving and taking with the reins, liturally pushe 1 or both hands forward for a stride or 2,

in regards to jumping, id go back to basics, poles with a cross and olnly in trot, if you feel the rush coming on before you get to the poles walk circle and represent, maybe your horse needs a bit of time out from ridden jumping, could you free school over a grid ect whilst getting the schooling and bit sorted?
 
I would agree with trying different styles of bit. People are under the illusion that an eggbutt snaffle is a 'gentle bit' but this isn't necessarily true - some horses mouths just aren't suited to the nutcracker action due to their individual mouth shape and tongue size and the nutcracker action is in fact very painful for them hence why the horse's reaction maybe to rear or rush fences etc when pressure is applied.

I have a horse who is heavy in his mouth but really suits the 3 ring gag (dutch gag I think it's called?) with a nutcracker action. My old pony however is more sensitive and jumped a lot better in a rubber pelham but without a curb chain (with a curb chain you could stop him dead at full gallop - not much fun ending up on his neck!). My sister's young horse is not keen on the nutcracker and we have him in a straight bar happy mouth with fulmer cheek pieces and he seems a lot more comfortable.

Think it may be worthwhile you trying to borrow bits from friends or instructors to give them a try out before purchasing one - or try a bit bank maybe?!

Another bit of advice would be to have your horses back checked by a physio just to rule out any soreness.
 
cool thanks for everyone's advice
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i was holding off getting the teeth/tack/back checks done, since his rearing shows a pattern - when he's alone!
but i think i'll get him checked out just in case anything shows up.
And i'll try links and things - never thought about the nutcracker action.

xxx
 
I have a VERY on the forehand cob x and I have to reglarly have to swap between bits. I mainly prefer a loose ring NS lozenge which he goes well in but he soon starts evading and leaning on, my other 2 options are a waterford, which contrerary to belief I have a horse that DOES lean on this bit. so just be warned, it worked brill for 3 months hence why I have to change reg. The other is a tom thumb lozenge again gets him off the forehand but with you may make him rear, but can be used with 2 reins.
 
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