Bit for a strong pony

[Shrek-Eventing-SW]

I have had my 14.2hh pony for about 2 years now, and he has a very hard mouth. We bought him wearing a cheltanham gag, but we changed because he stuck his head up terribly. We have tried pelhams, kimblewicks, waterfords, dutch gags and nothing seems to work. He is ridden in a cheek piece snaffle with a lozenge for his showjumping, but he does not respect it, he runs through the bridle, but after trying lots of bits, I have decided that he picks his feet up the best in this bit. Out hunting he grabs the bit, sets his neck and puts his head down, I have been riding him in a tom thumb out hunting but I really need to change. I have been reading up about different bits and it needs to be 100% pony club/eventing legal.
I have just bought an american gag, will this be a good choice???
Please help me!!

 

[connie1288]

I was about 2 suggest american gag!!

 

[Shrek-Eventing-SW]

ok, so you think I should stick with the american gag?

 

[MrsMozart]

What nosebands have you tried?

 

[Shrek-Eventing-SW]

cavesson, flash, drop. I mainly ride him in a flash. I also thought about a mexican grakle but havent tried one yet.

 

[MrsMozart]

There's one I can't think of! Has sort of metal hoops that goes round the bit. Have you tried a hackamore or other type of bitless bridle?

 

[annewright]

My Haflinger is also very strong when in company - I tried every bit out and the best so far was a Wonder Gag WITH a American grakle noseband - it's the noseband that did it for him as the bit with any other noseband didn't work as well. So I highly recommend the American Grakle noseband.

 

[annewright]

Are you thinking of the Kineton noseband?

 

[Shrek-Eventing-SW]

I think it is the kineton noseband??
I havent seen much of them so don't really know what they are like, I might try and find one though. I have tried him in a bitless bridle but he doesn't listen to it.

 

[Shrek-Eventing-SW]

well, i don't really know much about them, but if it will work then I will give it a try.

 

[MrsMozart]

Yes, Kineton! Thank you

There is a really good book about called Biting by Evelyn somebody or other - having a really bad name day lol

 

[Shrek-Eventing-SW]

haha ok, i'll look it up, so i'll try my american gag for a bit (excuse the pun), and maybe get a kineton noseband!
Thank you all for your help

 

[milliepops]

I now use a kineton on my mare, with a loose ring waterford. She puts her head up, if anything though, so you may not find it works in your favour if your pony is putting his head down.

As the kineton transfers some of the pressure from the mouth onto the nose, I think it would make him more inclined to put his head down, or curl his neck up and duck behind the bit. What is he like when you are not hunting/jumping?

 

[annewright]

Going back to the American Grakle noseband - I read an article written by Mary King about this noseband and how she uses one when going cross-country on some of her horses. She explained how to fit it properly and it is miles better than the ordinary grakle. I have noticed - looking at photos - that many eventers use the American grakle for the cross country phase. The American grakle stops them crossing their jaw and opening their mouth!
I also tried a hackamore on my Haflinger and he was good for a while then one day he just put in 3 huge bucks and took off - luckily there was a large gate ahead and he stopped!! I never rode him in that again!

 

[Shrek-Eventing-SW]

He naturally holds onto the bit more than avarage, in dressage he is either too forward and fast, or if he is in a calm mood he is too slow and stuffy, I ride him in a hanging snaffle for dressage. I rode him in the american gag today, and I think because he is so used to me holding and checking him before the jump, that when I didn't do anything, he stopped. I'm not sure whether that was a reaction to me not fussing with him?

 

[Shrek-Eventing-SW]

Is the american noseband the same as the mexican noseband?
If so, I was told by my instructor to try one because he does tend to cross his jaw.

 

[annewright]

Yes - the mexican noseband is the same. Good luck!

 

[Shrek-Eventing-SW]

thank you!!

 

[hellybelly6]

He could be putting his head down because the joint of the bit his jabbing the roof of his mouth. Have you considered a bit with a french link/lozenge?

 

[Shrek-Eventing-SW]

yea the tom thumb isn't a nutcracker (my xc, hunting bit atm) and my showjumping bit has a lozenge.