Bit advice

[Lauren_abigail]

Hi all,

I currently jump my boy in a 3 ring gag, but he tends to curl his neck in with it and feels like he is about to fall on his face!

I've been told that these bits do encourage this so does anyone have any ideas on what else I can try him in?

I've always had horses that jump in a snaffle so I'm a bit lost!

I don't need anything horrendously strong (flat work is done in a hanging cheek snaffle) but just something with a bit more hold than a snaffle.

 

[Shay]

Curling the neck under sounds like he is trying to evade your contact by dropping behind it. That can be a sign that the bit is too sharp, or that there are issues with the mouth / teeth. You will want to get his teeth checked if they have not already been.

You don't say what the joint on the bit is - french link / single / waterford etc. Or if this matches the joint on his hanging cheek? If not - that might be an obvious switch.

You also don't say what ring you are on with the gag - but if you are on the bottom ring have you tried moving the reins up to the middle or snaffle ring?

Outside of those rather obvious bits (no pun intended!) bitting is very complex these days. It would be worth asking your regular instructor for their view. It all depends on the type of mouth and the reason you have for wanting to step up a bit for SJ. Everyone has their personal preferences - and probably so does every horse!

 

[Lauren_abigail]

Curling the neck under sounds like he is trying to evade your contact by dropping behind it. That can be a sign that the bit is too sharp, or that there are issues with the mouth / teeth. You will want to get his teeth checked if they have not already been.

You don't say what the joint on the bit is - french link / single / waterford etc. Or if this matches the joint on his hanging cheek? If not - that might be an obvious switch.

You also don't say what ring you are on with the gag - but if you are on the bottom ring have you tried moving the reins up to the middle or snaffle ring?

Outside of those rather obvious bits (no pun intended!) bitting is very complex these days. It would be worth asking your regular instructor for their view. It all depends on the type of mouth and the reason you have for wanting to step up a bit for SJ. Everyone has their personal preferences - and probably so does every horse!

Sorry, I haven't really given a huge amount of info have I! The joint on the gag is a French link (He goes in a lozenge in the hanging cheek) The gag is on the middle ring, I'll try popping it up to the snaffle option. Teeth are all fine, only done about a month ago so I'm not worried re: teeth.

I'm not a huge fan of gags myself, however previous owner had always jumped him in one so I suppose I just kept up with that!

 

[Llee94]

I use a Myler combination bit on my mare. These are technically snaffles and work on various points on the head and not just the mouth. I love mine (I have the long shank version) and my mare goes brilliantly in it but I do put a fluffy nose cover over the hard nose piece though as otherwise I worry it would bruise her face.
She used to be ridden in a 3 ring gag but it didn't really suit her as she did the same as yours and just curled up to try and avoid it.
They are a little expensive to buy new but if you keep an eye on ebay, you can get some bargains. I got mine for £30 barely used when they are normally around £130 mark.
http://horsebitbank.com/myler-combination-bit.shtml - this page explains how it works much better than my explanation!