Bit advice

[maxapple]

My welsh x Arab pony is ridden in a French link hanging cheek which he goes really nicely in schooling and out hacking. However in wide open spaces he is very hard to slow down if we have a canter.

I ride with my seat as much as I can and bridge my reins to keep control when I'm trying to slow down, and have got him listening and reasonably sensible - but I think I may need a different bit when planning a faster hack / hack in company as he just sticks his head down and goes and is hard to stop.

We had a fast canter today and it was hard work stopping - and I can feel my shoulders and neck are very tight now from pulling. I'd rather have a bit that helps me slow him down easier than be yanking at his mouth.

Just to add we do lots and lots of just walking or trotting on hacks and i school when I'm hacking also and he's fine in downward transitions in the school and in the roads - it's just in a few open spaces that he knows I struggle. If also like to do some mini hunter trials this year so need some breaks! When I bought him 3 yrs ago he had been ridden in a 3 ring gag which he wasn't happy in at all (just over bends ) so that's not an option.

 

[spotty_pony]

Does he lean on your hands? If yes then I would suggest a Waterford Snaffle. I am a bit fan of them and ride a big Trakhener in one who used to lean on me and pull like a train but the Waterford solved this and he is now very light in the mouth! Remember, it is all about how you use this bit though rather than what it is - lots of giving and retaking and checking with one rein, then the other keeps the bit moving in the horse's mouth and makes it virtually impossible for them to lean on it. I would suggest you use one with loose rings to avoid him from learning to lean on the side and of it (which he might learn to do with a fixed cheek one as he sounds quite clever!)

Hope this helps

 

[vadzz]

Not a bit expert but have a look at the Neue Schule Universal bit, has the hanging cheek type action i believe with a ring underneath which can be used as a gag if need be.

I used to have my mare in a nutcracker action eggbut, put her in the loose ring french link (Team Up) by NS and she doesnt lean and I do cross country, hack etc with no problem in it.

As i say i am no expert, but NS bits have really helped me, am considering the Universal for when i start eventing more

 

[maxapple]

Hi. He doesn't lean really - only when I ask for canter does he snatch the reins, stick his head down and go! I can stop him but it hurts my neck and shoulders and its a battle. And as you guessed he is a clever little monkey! He used to be ridden by a teenager so part of it is just years of being allowed to bomb around. (And we've actually moved to the yard he used to be stabled at with his old teenage owner which I think is not helping!) I'm working really hard on schooling him on hacks to listen more and it's working - but I need something to help slow him down nicely as I really have to pull! (This is only in really open spaces, I can canter and trot using my seat more on the bridle paths etc)

I'm wondering about a Wilkie bit perhaps?