Bit confusion

[welshcobabe]

Hi I have a young shire x cob he is just now 7 I ride him in a French link snaffle. He is quite forward going not in a silly way but I am just not sure it is the right bit for him. I notice that most cobs of his type seem to be ridden in either a Waterford or a Pelham. I do confess to not knowing a great deal about what is best and I have been trawling the net to see if there is any advice on what would be best for him. Could anyone point me in the right direction ? I have asked friends etc but I am getting a lot of conflicting information is there such a thing as a bit expert like we have saddle fitters etc. Thanks for any information in advance.

 

[Barton Bounty]

If he doesnt need a stronger bit, I wouldnt use one … ?

 

[stangs]

What in his behaviour makes you think it's not the right bit?

If he's going happily in the French link, don't change it. It doesn't matter what other people are riding in, and, quite frankly, Waterfords are foul devices with lots of pressure points that manage to be so unpleasant for the horse that the rider becomes deluded in thinking the horse prefers it.

There are bit fitters that you can call out as the equivalent of a saddler fitter.

 

[SpeedyPony]

If it's not broken, don't fix it would be my thought- Waterfords/pelhams are there to fix specific problems and if you start changing bits without any thought as to why you need that specific action it's unlikely to help and might make things worse. You're probably seeing similar horses in pelhams because showing usually requires either a double bridle or a Pelham, but there's no need to worry about that if you don't show.

 

[ponynutz]

This ^ Also if you're not too clued up on bitting I'd say stay in one that works and if you're really worried ask someone more knowledgeable that also knows the horse such as an instructor.

We can only say so much knowing only what you've told us and not knowing the horse.