Bit for jumping

Irishcobs

Irishcobs

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25 August 2005
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Hattie finds jumping very exciting. We tend to motorbike round the turn and gallop into the jumps.
In her waterford loose ring snaffle she is too strong I can't control her pace into the jumps at all but in her straight bar pelham she hollows over the jumps and really backs off it even if I only use the snaffle rein.
So ideas on what I can try? She only likes waterford or straight bar mouth pieces which limit things a bit.
 
What about a Kimblewick? Or, try taking the curb chain off the pelham. Some Horses don't jump will with curb action. The other thing would be a waterford on a gag cheek.
That said, for excitable jumping the best...and only way....is lots of gridwork and schooling. Mine used to gallop at jumps. He's still fast but after a lot of work he's much much better. If I over-ride him and control pace too much he will throw in a stop. Good exercises are jumping small jumps at a walk, bounces, canter poles, jump a small course halting after every fence, try to use fillers where possible (does help back them off) and put a diagonal pole across the top of oxers....that's a great one at backing them off. I've never gone for stronger bits, if anything I've tried to go milder.
Finally, a change of noseband can really help.
 
Waterford dutch gag?
Hattie might well object to the curb on the pelham (Antifaz hates all curbs! so you could try it without.
Oh, have just seen that suzysparkle has said that
blush.gif
 
Thanks. I hadn't thought of removing the curb chain.
I am going to book some lessons on her as it is getting quite scary. In the school she is ok, I can slow her a little but in the field I have no chance.
 
Thanks PF. I will try her tomorrow without the curb chain.

Dutch gags lower the head don't they? She has a very low head carriage, she tends to drop her head and pull me into the jumps.
 
With pickle I also had that trouble, more when jumping outside (also in a loose ring waterford) I tried a waterford dutch gag which for him made not much of a difference and just caused him to hollow over the jump, or shake his head constantly.

He is now ridden in a neule schule universal bit (lozenge) he is absulutely brilliant in it!

Also she isn't by any chance crossing her jaw is she, I didn't think pickle was out hacking until someone watched me. A grackle sorted that problem.
 
Gags raise the heads, curbs lower.

Would try grid work and schooling first before changing a bit which she is otherwise good in.

If corners are a problem, try the same bit in a full check version.
 
try the bit bank online, they have variousa bits to try without buying if it doesnt suit. I would try a different noseband? kineton,drop or grackle may work?? mine is loads better in a grackle!
 
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