Bit for a strong TB

[MuddyTB]

My horse is a 16.1 ex flat racer and is ridden in a hanging cheek jointed snaffle, (single joint). He schools ok in this and normally behaves well enough on a hack, he takes a firm contact but nothing bad. However, some days on a hack he decides that collected canter is not fun and becomes very strong.

When he wants to take off I sit in deep and try to collect him with my seat and legs, but when that fails I do end up pulling against him on his mouth. He then lengthens and drops his neck and leans on the bit to avoid this. I know I shouldn't pull but the only other option is to let him take off. So will a different bit help?

I'd wondered about a french link hanging cheek but worry he'd do the same if his mind is set, or have heard waterfords can work well on TBs, but are these too strong if not normally required? Alternatively do I stick with what normally works and just cope with his exhuberent days like I do now?

All advice gratefully received.

 

[Chestnuttymare]

I ride mine in a french link, and don't have a problem. i think generally, tb's don't have a lot of room in their mouths and the nutcracker action of the single joint is uncomfortable. You might find he is trying to run away from the contact if it is digging him in the roof of the mouth.
I retrained mine using a myler and then went on to the eggbut french link. I haven't used the waterford but have heard good reports, it looks severe but it really just means they can't take a hold. I don't think there is anything much worse than a jointed snaffle in the wrong mouth.
Personally I would start with the simplest option and see how you go.
Do you have someone who can give you a loan of one to see if it suits? A french link isn't that expensive anyway i suppose so best to start there.

 

[ThePony]

If he leans on the bit it sounds like he isn't comfortable in his mouth, or perhaps he is finding collected canter hard work? Has he been working on this with you for a while? If he should be fine working in collected canter and has no back or saddle issues that might make this harder for him then I would look to his mouth. Assuming he has had his teeth done recently I would look at his mouth confirmation and then consider a new bit bearing this in mind - if it is comfy for him then it's likely you don't need to go up in strength.

 

[Smurphy]

My TB can be like this at times, sitting deep in the saddle just drives him forwards and makes him stronger, I tend to take a forward seat and keep my reins short and use lots of half halts. Works for me but every horse is different!

 

[MissMincePie&Brandy]

I ride mine in a full cheek snaffle with a revolving lozenge. He goes well 99% of the time, and he is very responsive usually, but he can get very strong in it if I'm hacking across parkland, so I'm going to try a universal for those types of rides where I know I might need extra breaks.

I sometimes school in a waterford, but I wouldn't want to hack in it.