Bit for strong tucking pony.

[Vic3gs]

First time posting in a long time so forgive me if I put this in the wrong place.

We have just bought a new SJ’ing pony for my daughter who we have had her a month and is absolutely wonderful.

She is however fast and strong and particularly buzzy when the poles come out (more so in training than at an event) and we aren’t sure we have found the correct bit for her yet.

she came with a happy mouth Pelham without roundings, which we have now added but because the happy mouth has give its weakening the action of the curb and making it far less effective than it should be. Again this seems to be ok when actually out competing and in a full size arena but not so much in our smaller school where there is repetitive exercises and jumps...

she also tucks a lot and uses the strength from that so need something that isn’t going to encourage her head down even more..

we tried a proper rubber Pelham this weekend but it seemed too much and she was backing off the fences. We also have a elevator with lozenge which we haven’t tried yet.

They are out competing on grass together for the first time next week and would really love to find something that gives my daughter control but that also doesn’t terrify them pony and helps her jump to the best of ability..

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[maya2008]

The short answer is that with soft enough hands, no bit would cause a pony to back off. Do your daughter and pony perhaps need more time to settle in to their partnership before competing? My son recently went up a size (and up a gear) in jumping pony and they won’t be competing at all until I see a good partnership during training. Not every pony goes quite like the last one did!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would remove the roundings and see how she goes in what she is used to.

 

[Vic3gs]

Thanks for the reply, daughter very light handed I’m strict on hands and have been since children were small..

pony not refusing or slow just a little more hesitant at the fence

Roundings have made a huge difference for the better, especially with the original happy mouth out competing just not so much in our smaller school training with repetitive exercises.

I guess I’m looking for something inbetween for on grass/XC or having a stronger day.

 

[NinjaPony]

What about a kimblewick? Similar action to a Pelham but one rein only, could get it with a soft mouthpiece?

 

[honetpot]

Roundings have made a huge difference for the better, especially with the original happy mouth out competing just not so much in our smaller school training with repetitive exercises.

If the pony is anticipating the job,it sounds as if your daughter needs the practice not the pony, so it thinks it is doing the right thing and just about nothing at full tilt will stop it.
I think variety with ponies, and learning to sit on your bottom, and use the weight aids, is about the only thing that breaks the cycle of pulling or they go out through the shoulder. I think you need to do something else at home, to make them both think at a slower pace, so your daughter learns to control the pony while it's not on the job.
Bitting, speak to the old owners, because there is usually a why they found that bit worked for them. A Happy Mouth usually means it has a sensitive mouth, and if you gear them up too much, no child has steady hands, and soft shoulders all the time, they try avoiding the bit. That is why the child being aware of how they are sat, and the trigger points in walk and trot, before it becomes a battle.

 

[misst]

When my daughter got her first horse as opposed to pony she had to learn to ride a forward TB instead of a PC been there done it all pony. The TB was not strong but was very forward in xc. This was what she wanted but came as a learning curve. He only got overly buzzy on xc he was great for everything else. We ended up with a hanging cheek snaffle with a lozenge as he was quite sensitive but it gave her some control. He was in an ordinary snaffle for everything else. We did try a pelham with and without roundings but with the roundings seemed a bit harsh, and two reins xc was a bit complicated .
I would however agree with everyone about more non competitive practice and gaining confidence first. A really good instructor and perhaps a chat with previous owners will be helpful. Lots and lots of fun practice.

 

[spotty_pony]

I would recommend a Neue Schule Universal gag - as the name suggests it’s a very adaptable bit as can be ridden with one rein or two, and even with roundings and a curb to make it into a Pelham. The gag action will help to raise the head too.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I would keep the pony in the same tack it's used to and concentrate on developing a partnership with the new rider. Plenty of time together, lots of hacking, flatwork and non competitive jumping at home.