Bit clips on the Micklem and strong horse?

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deoni

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Hi this might be a stupid question, but my horse is very strong when cantering and I struggle to stop her in a snaffle. Do the bit clips on the micklem bridle interfere or do they just help steady the bit? She has stopped shaking her head with the bit clips so I would like to keep them! :)
 
Yep as hippona says. Transfers some of the pressure from the bars to the nose. The only thing I found was that the leather was a bit hard on the nose where the ring was. I'm going to sew some padding on mine.
 
So if I took the bit clips off it would help with control? She is just rather strong, I have ordered a wilkie bit to try that, as the bit clips really help so I don't want to remove them! :p
 
It might if your horse doesn't respond to or like the nose pressure. Removing the clips would just make the bit have its own usual action on the bars/tongue. With the Wilkie you are introducing more poll pressure like a slight gag action.
 
I've always had them on the bridle, but removed them a while ago after cleaning it and she started shaking her head again (the reason I bought it). So, whatever they are doing, it works! I just wasn't sure if it was totally interfering with the bit, making it very mild and that's why I had trouble stopping her? I assume when the wilkie comes i can still use the bit clips to stabilise it, but will it still be a bit stronger than the snaffle regardless of the bit clips?
 
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forgot to say she is only strong in faster work, so don't think she doesn't like the nose pressure, she's just strong. :)
 
Only strong in fast work... this doesn't sound like a bit problem to me. Sounds more like a balance issue with rider and horse.

Horses will naturally get faster to compensate for a lack of balance at a steady pace and if the rider is unbalanced or grips up in anticipation, this just perpetuates the situation and you have a "tanking" combo.

Putting in a stronger bit (or making your bit stronger) will only result in other problems like rearing or spinning. I have had this problem myself.

How is your canter? Are you leaning forward? Are you putting pressure through your thighs? Are you taking up too much contact to try and stop the horse going faster (it's a common mistake)? You need to take control of your body and not LET the horse take you for a ride in canter as I imagine is happening.
 
tallyho! said:
Only strong in fast work... this doesn't sound like a bit problem to me. Sounds more like a balance issue with rider and horse.

Horses will naturally get faster to compensate for a lack of balance at a steady pace and if the rider is unbalanced or grips up in anticipation, this just perpetuates the situation and you have a "tanking" combo.

Putting in a stronger bit (or making your bit stronger) will only result in other problems like rearing or spinning. I have had this problem myself.

How is your canter? Are you leaning forward? Are you putting pressure through your thighs? Are you taking up too much contact to try and stop the horse going faster (it's a common mistake)? You need to take control of your body and not LET the horse take you for a ride in canter as I imagine is happening.
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If we are just doing flat work, she is fine and have lessons every week and a new bit was suggested for jumping. It is just when we jump it takes a lap to slow down sometimes and a lot of effort! Only need it for reassurance at shows this summer. it is possible that I am doing those things though thank you, I don't grip the reins though in fact get told off for not having any usually :p but could be doing something else. Though she does it with others when jumping and I wondered if the bit clips were making the bit ineffective. Besides, have only bought a wilkie bit to try! :p
 
deoni said:
If we are just doing flat work, she is fine and have lessons every week and a new bit was suggested for jumping. It is just when we jump it takes a lap to slow down sometimes and a lot of effort! Only need it for reassurance at shows this summer. it is possible that I am doing those things though thank you, I don't grip the reins though in fact get told off for not having any usually :p but could be doing something else. Though she does it with others when jumping and I wondered if the bit clips were making the bit ineffective. Besides, have only bought a wilkie bit to try! :p
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You know, many people say that they need a stronger bit for jumping and I admit that at xc I change to a kimblewick. I need a bit of extra control to jump those skinnies!

However just jumping in an arena I can still do it in a loose ring single jointed plain snaffle. You just have to apply the same mentality as when schooling and dictate the pace with your seat as you would when schooling.

If in an arena with jumps and the horse gets excited, just do a few laps in a nice steady collected canter... actually ASK for it then stride up to a jump and looking well ahead without leaning forward, let the horse jump and then come back to that collected canter - with your seat. Sit into it and use your legs to steady the pace.

I had to work hard at this when I was having the same problem but it's worth it. In fact, sometimes, I would set up jumps and purposely NOT jump them so that the horse didn't automatically think "oh goody! jumping!" and start behaving like a twit. I would just do my schooling in between the jumps and not jump anything at all.
 
tallyho! said:
You know, many people say that they need a stronger bit for jumping and I admit that at xc I change to a kimblewick. I need a bit of extra control to jump those skinnies!

However just jumping in an arena I can still do it in a loose ring single jointed plain snaffle. You just have to apply the same mentality as when schooling and dictate the pace with your seat as you would when schooling.

If in an arena with jumps and the horse gets excited, just do a few laps in a nice steady collected canter... actually ASK for it then stride up to a jump and looking well ahead without leaning forward, let the horse jump and then come back to that collected canter - with your seat. Sit into it and use your legs to steady the pace.

I had to work hard at this when I was having the same problem but it's worth it. In fact, sometimes, I would set up jumps and purposely NOT jump them so that the horse didn't automatically think "oh goody! jumping!" and start behaving like a twit. I would just do my schooling in between the jumps and not jump anything at all.
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Thanks I'll give it a try. She used to be very lazy but recently she has got really speedy as she's got fitter! I will attempt to get her to trot, so she canters sideways and charges at the jump!! :p I will pratice this at home, but may put the other bit in for the show coming up just in case and switch back when I get it sorted :) thanks
 
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