Bit advice

[mudmonkey17]

I ride my cob in a loose ring snaffle with a lozenge that he seems to like and schools well in but lacks brakes when doing fast work or when we go to shows etc.
Can anybody suggest another bit that is not severe but that he may respect more? Have had a pelham suggestes but never used one so no idae what they are like.
Thanks

 

[Peacelily]

hanging snaffle...has a bit more poll pressure but still not too bad on the mouth,
I find with pelhams, once you've used one then its difficult to get them to go without, and they do tend to lean on them, and if he's going ok in a snaffle then thats a good thing

and you should try and preserve that!!

 

[mudmonkey17]

Thanks for that, have tried the hanging snaffle and he was awful in it. Also tried a dutch gag that was better but don't really like using this.

 

[hendry]

Hi, Just thought I'd throw in my two pense worth. The dutch gag is not all that severe really. People tend to make a big deal in my opinion but having alot of nags about and a large selection of bits, I find most horses go well in them and you have it on the milder ring if you find that enough so it doesn't have to be that severe.
In an ideal world every horse would ride in a snaffle and we wouldn't have all these problems but in reallity whatever works for you is a good bit and you have to be able to steer and stop afterall!
Hope you get sorted!

 

[aidybex]

I found with my cob x a crank noseband helped. It just stopped her tanking with me at times as she couldn't get hold of the bit or evade it. I also used to use a 3 ring dutch gag with a lozenge for showjumping as she could become very strong and almost dangerous! I found this a good combination with the crank noseband.

 

[Kat]

To work out what to use you need to examine why you lack breaks.

Is your horse opening his mouth to evade the aids, or crossing his jaw, or leaning, or taking hold of the bit, or putting his head up, or down or just plain old ignoring it???

You could try a narrower mounthpiece snaffle, I tried this with a big IDx mare who was a bit rude and it was enough just to give me some extra stopping power.

If he is opening his mouth, crossinng his jaw or setting his jaw a change of noseband might be best.

If he sticks his head in the air then a martingale might be better than a bit change. I would certainly avoid a dutch gag if he does this as the leverage often makes them do this even more.

I'd be inclined to try a kimblewick for fast work.

Other things to try are a cherry roller or twisted mouthpiece if your horse tries to lean. Works a treat in your normal snaffle cheeks and is not severe.

If the gag seemed to do the job but was more than you needed, then I'd experiment with a wilkie or hanging cheek snaffle as a milder bit with a similar action.