Bit/brakes advice

Hels_Bells

Hels_Bells

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Am currently riding my boy in a french link snaffle. For cross country and SJ I add a running martingale and a flash noseband which works really well for XC but I still struggle to keep control when doing SJ as he's very enthusiastic.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I could do to get a bit more control back in SJ. It's not a critical case but a bit more prescision and control of the pace from my point of view would be nice!! He came with a rubber pelham but it just freaks out when I use it in SJ as I think it's too harsh for him.

Am wondering if a different noseband or an old fashioned single link snaffle might give a bit extra control than the french link and flash? I am also tempted to try one of the nueue schule bits or something in that line but i don't know a lot about them/where to start and from what I have seen they seem v expensive for my bit budget!!
 
Tbh I don't think the single joint will give you any more brakes, just more uncomfortable for the horse.
What snaffle is he in at the moment?? also when you say enthusiastic what does he do, lean, raise head, cross jaw etc???
I'm guessing you've tried lots of schooling to sort the problem out. Sorry for all the questions.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Tbh
What snaffle is he in at the moment?? also when you say enthusiastic what does he do, lean, raise head, cross jaw etc???
I'm guessing you've tried lots of schooling to sort the problem out. Sorry for all the questions.

[/ QUOTE ]

No probs for all the questions and sorry I haven't got back sooner - a busy week!!

He came with lots of problems so there has been lots of schooling (a whole year!) and he is now an all round lovely person, but he was an affiliated showjumper in a past life and it is literally a case of he is so powerful when showjumping and goes so fast that I feel I can't moderate the speed as much as I'd like. Maybe I shouldn't complain, he goes like a rocket and is super careful, but I'd like to be able to go a bit steadier, especially if we're going to start tackling anything a bit more technical.

He doesn't lean or cross his jaw or totally resist the bit and I guess maybe if he does anything evasive it's getting his head up high. It's not critical, but I'd just really like to be able to have him in a nice roundish canter tackling SJ. This is how it starts out but he gathers speed so much it's almost a gallop by then end and I struggle to steady him up between fences!!!!

Current bit is a Korsteel gold french link snaffle. 3 up from the bottom at this link.
http://www.eclipse-equestrian.com/acatalog/Korsteel_J.P._Bits.html
 
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