Bit for VERY strong horse SJ

[Morrigan_Lady]

Took my friend sj'ing the other day and her horse just carted her round and its looked to be a real fight.
He just sort of puts his head down and off he goes! She really doenst have anything in her hand all

Ive got a full check waterford Ive said she can try, as he does have a tendancy to just lean on her hand.

Any other ideas would be much appreciated.

 

[PaddyMonty]

Some schooling perhaps?

 

[Morrigan_Lady]

Yes, we are working on that aswell. But once in the ring, he's a differnt horse

 

[stencilface]

I used to help a lady who had a string of very strong horses - built like brick you-know-what houses the lot of them. She rode one in a very snug fitting double bridle, and another in a dutch gag I think. This was only for a phase though, when the horses became better behaved the one in a double moved onto a kimblewick and can't remember the other one!

I would say if he puts his head down then some kind of gag (although I know the dutch gags are well hated on here

) or a pelham with two reins/double bridle? My friend rode her fast and strong TB in a pelham to SJ to start with, and has now gone onto a dr bristol - although personally I think he went better in the pelham!

 

[Morrigan_Lady]

Yes a pelham did cross my mind.

 

[stencilface]

I know that schooling is the best option, but sometimes if a horse is prone to panic (or display running away behaviour) from previous experiences, sometime I think it is more sensible to put in a stronger bit, if only for a while. Then once a horse can accept the control from the rider, it is possible to sometimes work your way back to a 'gentler' but.

Although, I think some horses just go better in what are seen as 'hard' bits.

 

[Cyberchick]

I agree with a stronger bit is better than a mild bit and having your arms and his mouth yanked out.
My horse is very strong SJ ( or just jumping in general) and I jump in a Myler Combination with a comfort snaffle mouth piece. Having said that, mine would put his head up rather than down.

 

[Super_Kat]

I'd say pelham with 2 reins because then she's got breaks should she need them but if not the curb rein can be dropped.

x

 

[Chloe_GHE]

I'm a big pelham fan as of last weekend. Soap becomes strong in a sj arena but the pelham worked a treat, I would be careful though if your friend has a tendancy to have heavy hands or hold a strong contact with the pelham, she will need to take a pull then be soft straight away for it to be correctly affective.

Try it with a very loose curb and one rein coming from roundings to start with, you can always tighten the curb and add a second rein later. I used to use a dutch gag but he leans on it, and becomes lower, with the pelham he has to sit up, and be soft.

 

[oofadoofa]

I use one of these on my horse for hunting and it really does the trick. He tries to put his head down and tank off but this sorts the b*gger out!

http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/Sweet_Iron_Copper_Tom_Thumb_tom_thumb_bit-(781).aspx

 

[FinkleyGladiator]

[ QUOTE ]
I use one of these on my horse for hunting and it really does the trick. He tries to put his head down and tank off but this sorts the b*gger out!

http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/Sweet_Iron_Copper_Tom_Thumb_tom_thumb_bit-(781).aspx

[/ QUOTE ]

I use the loose ring snaffle version and it stops Finn who leans and is really strong. He used to just shove his head down and tank off in a gag or pelham but this works and hell actually work nicely in this!!

 

[prudunce]

Try a kineton noseband,worked a treat on my strong monster!!

 

[BeckyD]

Ronnie went through a phase of "head down and run" when jumping last spring - a cheltenham gag sorted him out. I only needed the gentlest tweak then and I had him totally in control. Strangely he seems very comfortable in that bit - more so even than his everday loose ring snaffle.

 

[dmarcus]

I have a very large strong horse who also has the tendency to lean on the bit and run off with me when out showjumping, cross country or hunting! I use an American gag when i go out jumping or hunting on him. This bit works brilliantly but you have to be very soft in your hands and i wouldnt recommend using it all the time. I use a myler bit for schooling and jumping at home wheich also seems to prevent leaning.

 

[KatB]

You have to be careful about poll pressure with horses like this, because even though the gags are meant to have a lifting action, they also have quite alot of poll action which can actually make the problem worse. A pelham, double or even a universal with a curb strap would work well, as less poll action so more of a lifting action to lighten them

Cheltenham gags CAN help, but my hors ejust got longer and heavier in it to get away from the poll pressure.