Bit/ Calmer advice

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thehorsediva

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Hi,
I have been riding my 16h cob for ages in a French Mouth full cheek snaffle but i'm finding this is just not strong enough so i'd like to try something else. However I don't have a clue what to try him in? Any recommendations?
He is really excitable out hacking (and always full of energy no matter how much I ride!) and i'm also thinking about putting him on a calmer. However he is extremely dopey around the yard...is the calmer a good idea and has anyone had any good/ bad experiences?
Thanks!
 
Hi!
The calmer that I've been recommended is Nupafeed. It's not cheap but I'm told it works - I'm about to put my tb on it tomorrow.

With regards to bits why not try a 3 ring gag with a french link? That would give you a bit more leverage through the poll without the bit actually being harsher.
 
Thanks I will try that. Am I right in thinking I can attach the reins to any of the 3 rings? And is it okay to use with a flash noseband still? My friend at the yard has also got her Shire X in a 3 ring gag. Thanks for advice on the calmer- will give it a try. Hope you get on okay with it!
 
You could use either of those bits, with one rein or two; if you feel comfortable with double reins. The advantage of using it with double reins is that with one rein on the larger ring, it acts in a similar way to the hanging cheek snaffle you already have, and then you can use the second rein, on a lower ring, when he starts getting strong.

Having said that, it might not be the right bit for him. In what way is he strong? For example does he grab hold of the bit and lean?
In which situations other than hacking does he become strong? Have you tried the appropriate schooling before deciding to change his bit?
Sorry if you've already been through this!! It just helps alot when tring to work out which bit as there are so many! I know how you feel though, my boy is really hard to bit for hunting and it's no longer fun when they get like that!
 
Personally really dislike dutch gags (3ring gags) and have gone back to trying them on occasions just to give them benefit of the doubt, and remember how most horses go much better in another type of bit, even if they do ok in the 3 ring gag!!

Try something like a kimblewick or pelham. It gives you some additional breaking without the woolly action you get from the gag.
 
Maybe I need to try out both. Yes I have done lots of schooling with him and he's an absolute angel to school and I continue with this regularly. I try and impliment some schooling out hacking as well and when i'm on my own he's responsive. Plus it's not like I ever just hit a track and bomb off. He is fine to hack on his own its just out hacking in company. I have tried doing just walk trot rides, ridden him at front, middle and back at all paces, i'm always out with safe horses who don't wind him up, nothing makes any difference. Fairly recently when we had a canter he just stuck his head down and totally bombed off and nothing I did made any difference which really scared me. As soon as we hit a track (come off the roads) it feels like he just leans on the bit and really pulls me. The pulling seems to get stronger and stronger and i'm never going to win that fight! I need to get some control back for my safety and confidence and also this currently makes riding out with my friends a total nightmare :-(
 
Nupafeed is a good calmer as is nutricalm
Also Magic by naf is a good magensium calmer to add to feeds in powder form

As for bits i personally cannot stand 3 ring dutch gags ! :) i would try a D ring copper roller snaffle (good for leaners) :) or maybe a wilkie bit (lifts bit up in mouth to aid control) :)
 
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I know exactly how you feel, my boy got just like that after we'd been hunting a few times. If he's leaning maybe try something with a waterford mouthpiece which would stop him taking hold as well. When my boy started doing this, he was originally in a waterford dutch gag with two reins. He was alot better with the waterford mouthpiece and alot lighter in the hand but because the poll pressure is severe on a dutch gag, it encourages a lower head carriage and so it felt like he was trying to duck away from it. He now just in a waterford snaffle and very polite hacking and hunts in Cheltenham gag, which is another one that might be worth a try as it has a lifting action! :)

Definately try a few and see what works best! Maybe use a bit bank as you can just give it back if it's not right, I did that and used:
http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/
Good luck! I hope you find something that works :)
 
as he is quiet around the stable I would try mag ox first, its very cheap and very good!

I just put my lad in a sweet iron, cherry roller tom thumb with great results :D
 
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