Bit Advice

[Neddies]

I ride my ID/TB in either a myler low port comfort snaffle or a french link, at the moment I'm finding him really strong and a couple of times had hairy moments when i've been unable to pull him up. He's really leaning on my hands, so much so my arm muscles were killing me after riding him the other day. I put a flash noseband on him as he was opening his mouth but this has made little difference to the lack of brakes! I'm thinking about changing his bit but I don't like the thought of putting something severe on him, would a hanging cheek snaffle be effective do you think? He is generally a well schooled horse who's just a bit too enthusiastic at the moment.

 

[_Libby_]

i had similar problems to this and tried a waterford to help with the leaning.

 

[Zobaby]

Have you checked the fit of the bridle? My IDxTB was very heavy and leaned, and my instructor changed his bridle. He made sure the cavesson noseband sat just below the bone that runs along the side of their face (i don't know the name for it!). Its kind of like the end of their cheek bone! The noseband has to be quite tight too. That means the flash won't pull the cavesson part down. This really helped my horse and he's much lighter now.
Does your horse put his head down and lean? If he does, then a 3 ring gag might help and these help to raise their head.
Also, maybe consider changing his feed? If he's a bit enthusiastic, consider giving him less high energy feed, or maybe use a calmer? And more turnout if possible.

Hope this helps

xx

 

[Breezesbenefactor]

You had results with the noseband work on that then remove the noseband & see how you go. If you have problems put the band on again amd repeat don't go sticking a beastly bit in its mouth, also I'd look at the diet and see if the naswer is there as to why he is fizzed up

 

[Twilight]

When my boy needed a little breaks reminder I briefly swpped him to a 3 ring gag - with a happy mouth mouth piece. So the bit wasn't severe but I had a little more control. It only took a few rides to remind him that he needed to stop when I asked him. Then we swapped back into our normal snaffle.

 

[hunteress]

Yes I used the happy mouth but with 2 rings as didn't need 3rd and the 2 looks better also the waterford 2 ring was great but get a 1/2 size bigger than your usual I'm normally a 5 1/2 so got a 6" its not the mouth piece for brakes its the cheeks !!