Bit Bother....

[Mellymoo1]

Ok - need some advice from you lovely bit experts!!

My boy is 17hh, with a huge neck, pretty strong and because hes a Gelderlander, he also has a high head carriage. I currently use a straight bar Pelham with a curb chain on him and he goes well in it whilst hacking. However, when I'm having a lesson or schooling, he seems to be backing off from it slightly and I need him to have a bit more impulsion.

I've tried a snaffle and a dutch gag on the first and second rings but hes defo not happy in those. I had the gag on last night in my lesson and he was just tanking around with his head in the air ignoring me.

Any ideas on something in the middle that I could try?

 

[flyingfeet]

Could be worth trying a baucher, either mullen or lozenge

You didn't say what snaffle you tried - there are a huge variety. If you use a single joint, he may have objected to having his tongue pinched.

 

[maisie]

I have this prob with my cob - I normally ride in a pelham with a curb which he goes brilliantly in, but when schooling he starts to back off. Last night I tried him in a fulmer with a french link and he went brilliantly - lighter on the forehand, on the bit instantly instead of leaning and poking his nose - completely different horse - not too expensive to buy and try either!!!

 

[Janette]

What about changing the curb chain to a leather or elastic one?