Bit for horse that over bends?

[charlie76]

Can anyone suggest a bit for my mare that tends to go ovebent? I am working her through lots of transtions but just need a little more help. I currently have her in a small ring french link eggbut. I have also tried a hanging cheek and a loose ring french link.
It would need to be a snaffle as I compete her in BD.
Thanks!

 

[KatB]

Try a lozenged bit? Or one with curved bars, like the JP snaffle to encourage her to take the contact. Nathe bits also encourage them to take the contact.

 

[the watcher]

I would agree, or look at the Myler snaffle which seems to suit a lot of horses and has a wider centre section (the one without hooks is dressage legal)

 

[ColleenIsh]

or try fulmer

 

[Parkranger]

Surely overbending isn't necessarily just attributable to the bit? Just my opinion but doesn't the horse need to 'stretch out' more so perhaps ways of getting them doing that would be more effective than changing bits?

What do I know though! haa haa

 

[cosmo_sam]

I personally LOVE this Neue Schule bit.

NS Tranz Loose Ring 14mm diameter 70mm rings

Dressage Legal


I use it for everything with George now, flat and jumping (in fact I need to buy some more so I don't have to keep swapping bridles!!

)

It has a bigger ring and very thin shaft. George seems to love it, get very slobbery and is much happier in his mouth (he seems to prefer the thinner shaft as he has a big tongue)

 

[the watcher]

I know what you are saying but bits have featured a lot in horses I have seen overbending, particulary single jointed bits (the work of the devil IMO) and those that exert a degree of poll pressure....

.....you are quite right that the whole picture needs to be looked at though

 

[cosmo_sam]

[ QUOTE ]
I know what you are saying but bits have featured a lot in horses I have seen overbending, particulary single jointed bits (the work of the devil IMO) and those that exert a degree of poll pressure....

.....you are quite right that the whole picture needs to be looked at though

[/ QUOTE ]

*nods*

Bits can cause backing off and coming behind to evade. A nice bit that suits the horses mouth can work wonders at encouraging them to have confidence in stretching

 

[charlie76]

I have tried a fulmer- might go for the nathe as not tried one of those yet. I encourage her to work long and low both on the lunge and when ridden but she still has a tendancy to overbend when she gets a little tense.

 

[KatB]

Overbending is a way of evading the contact and can happen through the horse being uncomfortable in the contact being taken, and therefore the bit

 

[cosmo_sam]

I know it's a biased article, but I find this article very informative and it makes common sense to me

http://www.neueschulebits.com/acatalog/Bitting_Advice.html

 

[Parkranger]

Of course - I forgot about poll pressure causing them to overbend.....makes sense now! x

 

[charlie76]

Informative article- thankyou!