Bit, flash, martingale... your thoughts appreciated...long..

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Chumsmum

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Hi
I would appreciate your thoughts/comments/opinions on what tack to try on my pony next time we go (or someone else takes him) hunting..

For hacking alone/small groups/schooling he is in a single jointed snaffle and plain noseband, no flash. In larger groups I find that he leans in canter so I changed bit for a loose ring waterford - he went happily in this and didn't lean so it did the trick. We have never really had an issue with brakes.

We have been hunting twice. Second time I tried the waterford but didn't have any brakes - he wasn't overtaking the field but I could barely stop him in trot/canter, he was just very excited. He was messing about with his head a bit but not really throwing it up that high.

Experienced friends who know/saw him say I should have had a flash+martingale on him and try a different/stronger bit.

In the few times that I have tried a flash/martingale he has seemed really uncomfortable in them, messing with his head a lot more than when we hasn't got them on which seemed to defeat the object. And so in my infinate wisdom decided that he was better without...

So....

I would appreciate your thoughts on what bits to try on him (I've got friends who I can borrow off). I would like to start at the bottom of the 'brakes' scale (if that makes sense) but maybe something like the waterford to stop him leaning.

I would also appreciate your thoughts on flashs / martingales.. I am a novice rider and perhaps a little sensitive to Chum's feelings lol - I am always being told to kick/tap him more on lessons etc. He can protest (usually one buck) if asked to do or not to do something he doesn't want to do but usually nothing more than that - no rears etc, just attitude.

How can a novice tell the difference between a strop and a genuine objection - I'm well aware that horses can put up with a lot before exploding and I don't want to go there. Someone on here has said before that brakes = discomfort but how far do you go?

I hope my ramblings make sense
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We have had issues with saddles (which is nearly sorted but doesn't appear to make any difference to the excited in company thing) and I'm having his teeth done before I try anything new (doesn't appear to have a problem but due in March anyway).

Many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read this - never mind reply to it
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OK, I'd definately use a flash and a running martingale if he's throwing his head around.

Might be worth checking, when you get back from a ride, whether he's getting his tongue over the bit? It's pretty obvious to tell when you open their mouth.

Have his teeth been checked?
 
I always ride a horse in a running martingale out hunting. Correctly fitted it should not upset your horse at all.

My little mare was also ridden daily in a snaffle - but hunted (only) in something stonger. I used a Kimblewick which has a curb chain.

Most horses enjoy the 'thrill' of hunting - and can be totally different from their normal behaviour - a lot being stronger. I think that the concept of being totally in control when out hunting is slight misguided, and you have to accept a certain amount of going with the flow - they are herd animals after all. But of course you do need to have a certain amount of control, and hopefully some brakes.

I personally don't change bits according to what sort of hacking I'm doing - and unless your horse opens his mouth to evade the bit I also wouldn't put a flash on.

A martingale or a flash won't help you with his lack of forwardness in lessons - but a good kick in the ribs will.

The best thing to make him more forward though is hunting - so let him get used to the notion that forward is fun (but with your safety in mind obviously) and don't try and overbit him - he will only get confused and resentful.

It's a learning curve - and one that takes a certain amount of courage. But do just let him get on with it and enjoy himself.
 
Do you give him his head whenever possible (i.e. you don't need to keep behind and its safe to go fast)? Sometimes we can get tense without realising it (i.e. maybe in bigger groups you might be subconsciously a bit worried that he will do something silly?) and when we are tense and going fast we do tend to grip with our legs and restrict with the reins. Result is pony is confused (you're saying go faster and slow down at the same time) and he takes over the decisions, which in your case might be his "I'm going to lean on the bit and go anyway"

Might not be the above of course!!
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My cob used to lean on the forehand a lot when cantering in exciting situations and lessons with my instructor did wonders.
 
Thanks for reply.

I've just realised that I don't really know how he is evading the bit (his head not right up just poking his nose) and I suppose I need to know this before people can suggest what to do.

God I'm so novice sometimes I scare myself
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Perhaps the waterford will be sufficient with a martingale and flash and I just need to find the courage to get up front.

I went with all intentions of just letting him go but for time I was there it was just walking and trotting - I needed a really good canter but didn't have the opportunity.

I think I need to choose my next meet carefully to make sure they go for a good blast first off??

Your thoughts have got me thinking - thank you.
 
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I think I need to choose my next meet carefully to make sure they go for a good blast first off??

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No - just choose meets that look like they might be fun. And if you were only walking and trotting chances are you were on the road a lot.........

So if he's only poking his nose it doesn't sound as if you need a stong bit to me.

Enjoy him - sounds as if he's up for a bit of fun
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Thanks for reply
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I do give him his head when in the comfort zone of friends - I enjoy going fast - but I know I am worried about him being silly in front of bigger groups - i.e the whole hunt..

I was getting a few looks when he was trying to canter and everyone was walking and I think that is what made me give up, perhaps I should have just ignored them? I'm sure lots of people have problems with their horses the first few times hunting??

I've now got my own trailer and planning regular lessons so I'm hoping this will help with his tendancy to lean.
 
I think he would make a great hunter for some mad teenager lol - lots of people who know him say this and my friend who is nearly 70 wishes she was a bit more active because he is just her type
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We were on the road to start with - and then they walked across the first few fields (I'm guessing because of livestock) and trying to keep him in walk was a nightmare - he just kept shooting off in canter.

I drank half of my hip flask before we set off to try and relax me - couldn't take my hands of the reins to drink the other half lol.

Thanks for advice - I will try and enjoy him
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