Bit choices (sorry...) :)

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SarahRicoh

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Well my boy is a 14.3hh irish sports horse... Hes quite a tank & we've had a few issues with him bolting but now hes trusting me theyve decreased a lot.
Out hacking on roads i could ride him in his hanging cheek snaffle (although i dont think.he particularly likes it)
However... Schooling he can be heavy & lean and for jumping/fast hacks i really need to up the brakes as i need the extra control...
Im not asking for schooling advice as we are working on.it & il get him to where we can slow hack/school in a snaffle but i think we'll always need something stronger for other work as hes so forward and excitable...
So when he arrived he had a tom thumb, flash niseband& standing martingale. Flash & martingale off now & tom thumb gone as although he listened in it he didnt respond that well to its action. Hanging cheek isnt strong enough nor does he like it. Currently in a 3 ring gag on 2nd ring & whilst i have breaks he is leaning on.it & he tends to.put his head down & pull.. However saying that he also chucks his head up when he bolts so not sure what action he needs...
I want something that he responds too with a light touch as hes still strong in gag & i dont want to.make him hard mouthed...
Considered waterford? Pelham with 2 reins?
Dont really want a bit with 2 reins as id have to be taught how to use it & it would be a bit much to sj/xc in :/

Any ideas? No idea on tongue thickness,mouth confo etc except he has quite a large mouth for size. 5.5"-6" bits.

Sorry for mega essay!! :o

Massive thanks in advance :)
 
What about a Neue Schule Universal?
They come in a variety of mouthpieces as well.

I got the tranz lozenge version and my girl was very respectful of it.
 
What happens if you put him in a loose ring French link? That would give him less to lean on but not be stronger than the hanging cheek. Use it with a grackle if you think he's opening his mouth or crossing his jaw to evade you.
 
A waterford could be worth a try, my mare stopped leaning immediately and after a few weeks i was able to go back to a french link, it seemed to just get her out the habbit and allow us to progress her schooling
 
I had a lot of success with the waterford with my last horse who had a habit of taking off XC and in SJ would go over a jump and then take off in whatever direction he pleased. 3 months of re-schooling and he was back in a snaffle and jumping really well. With my current lad, he leaned a lot and got very heavy in my hands, he pulled me into jumps and was quite hard work - just changed him to a copper roller and what a difference - he has nothing to grab on to now so we have a much more pleasant jumping experience
 
Meant to say I tried my current lad with a waterford and he absolutely hated it - ran backwards as soon as I picked up a contact and reared - some horses hate them as they are quite strong bits. Just be prepared :)
 
My 13hh traddy is in the same bit (four ring snaffle or dutch gag?) as yours but with no nose band at all , my pony used to lean but he's much better with the French link in my gag as it means that he can't lean on the bit itself. As its always moving and in motion in the mouth, it also encourages him to work the bit a lot more, and before you say it won't neccessarliy hold him- he was in a pelham before and I had a lot more issues with strength and stuff in that bit than I have in this one. Also he's only on ring two so only has an action that equates to that of a slightly stronger snaffle- this solution may mean that you are slightly kinder and he develops more feel in his mouth... Hope it all works out for you xxx
 
i would try a waterford, stopped my boy leaning and he goes really well in it and gave me good breaks for jumping! still use 3 ring for hunting as he gets very impatient queuing for the jumps!
 
I have just got a Waterford from The Horse Bit Shop on trial for £6.50 with a full price of £17.50. I ordered it late one evening and a day and a half later it was here. My heavy cob, who has been leaning heavily even in a french link and chomping it like it is a four course meal, loves it. No more leaning - my shoulders are so grateful :) His brakes are a bit better (he is stubborn and willful rather than of the bolting, excitable sort) but I wouldn't call it a harsh bit. I am going to put bit guards on though as it does seem to pull through when he is having a moment.
 
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