Bit for XC

[madhector]

I really need some suggestions as to what bit to use with J for XC, he is now jumping in the lozenge snaffle and is strong at times but ride-able. I do not think he would be so safe in it XC though, in fact had him in it when I took him the first time and that didn't end too well

I have tried a rubber pelham, but he tends to lean in that especially when he gets a bit tired so wary of using that, just wondered if anyone had any suggestions really, he tends to go to both extremes of head up in the air to leaning right down on your hands, so really not sure what to try! Almost tempted to try him in the snaffle but don't want to end up with another broken leg!

Going to Gt Witchingham next week so any ideas appreciated

Thanks

 

[KatB]

If he likes the lozenge, how about a universal with same mouthpiece? Can ad a curb so has similar action to a mild pelham, but the "non leany" mouthpiece of the snaffle?

 

[madhector]

I was thinking I should try and find something with a lozenge as he seems to go well in that, he didnt like the gag action when I tried a french link gag before but might be better with a curb maybe. The other thing I thought of trying was a english gag with a lozenge mouth piece if such a thing exsist

 

[Pidge]

had good results riding Pidge in this bit
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp...hcd2=1202941812
plenty of brakes and he can't lean in it.

 

[KatB]

Yes they do, was going to suggest that if you are good with two reins...cotswold sport sell one

I use one on the brat when he is being unpredictable

 

[madhector]

Thanks but really would rather not use a single jointed bit as he tends to panic when you take a contact in one, he is much better with a double link, or straightbar

 

[madhector]

I used to ride H with 2 riens so well practised, might be good as could ride him as normal off the snaffle until it all goes pearshaped then I have the bottom rien

 

[RachelB]

I agree with KatB, try a universal bit with the same mouthpiece you are currently using on the snaffle. Then you can pick which ring to have your reins on, or have two reins, or roundings, and you can use it with/ without a curb strap. It should just give you that extra you need, without drastically changing your bitting.

 

[KatB]

Yeah definitely, though they can overreact and pull harder in them...cant hunt G in a gag because of that

 

[marieE]

d ring with lozenge, small amount of poll if head goes up? if hes leaning some sort of roller, d ring copper roller? or a waterford link. its a mind field bitting!lol next week is quite soon to know if you have the right bit, so good luck!

 

[madhector]

we are only schooling, just not too keen on going in the snaffle

 

[madhector]

[ QUOTE ]
Yeah definitely, though they can overreact and pull harder in them...cant hunt G in a gag because of that

[/ QUOTE ]

J is quite good at over reacting

 

[marieE]

can you get a lozenge on a baucher (hanging cheek)

 

[madhector]

Yep, although the hanging cheek made him very over bent for some reason, I swear bitting is b****y impossible!!

 

[Foxfolly]

If he gets leany have you tried a waterford? They are more difficult to lean on, also you can get them in snaffle and 3 ring.

I has wokred well on my chap but only thing is if they have a sensitive mouth and try fighting you it can shred their mouth a bit!!

 

[madhector]

Always a downside! J had alot of problems with bits rubbing so think a waterford would cause him problems unfortuantly.

Think I may have to try the english gag and the universal and see which he prefers

 

[marieE]

what noseband do you use, could a change their help?

 

[madhector]

Just a plain cavasson, anything used to keep his mouth shut makes him very very angry, although I am tempted to try a grackle just to see, maybe he has grown up a bit..

 

[marieE]

aah he sounds like a very quirky chappie!! there is the kineton noseband that puts pressure on the nose without strapping mouth shut, which i suppose takes you towards the combination route. practice bridging your reins if he puts his head down and leans?! hope you have fun!

 

[madhector]

Quirky is an understatement!

Hadnt thought of the kineton, might be worth a try, Kerilli lent me a myler combi, but he didnt like that and had a bit of a tantrum for some reason,


think I might be safer in the snaffle!

 

[BarmyC]

I use one of these for my lad, he is really sensitive in the mouth and normally gets ridden in a dressage training bit with a lozenge

8023u NS Tranz 16mm diameter Universal Cheeks neue shule

i put this in for faster work with it on the bottom ring and i can now stop on a sixpence and that is without the curb.

I swear by neue shule

 

[madhector]

link wont work, but think that is the bit KatB suggested, might be worth a try

 

[madhector]

What about this.... (first one)

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

 

[Baggybreeches]

Another vote for the Universal, I tried one n SOv last year and I was really impressed, I am hoping to go back to it for outdoor showjumping and xc (we ended up in a double bridle for the entire Autumn/Winter) as he is now jumping confidently in a plain lozenge snaffle (NS one), I have also thought about a kineton, Sov works quite well off nose/poll pressure (I think it confuses him = me having the upper hand!).

 

[madhector]

I think it might be worth trying one, how do you attach the cheek piece? to the big ring?

 

[Baggybreeches]

The small ring on the top is set 'in' a bit nearer the horses cheek, attach the cheek piece to that and the curb also if you are using one (I use mine without) and then reins on either or both of the 2 rings below (as you would an ordinary gag).

 

[madhector]

Ahh that makes more sense, I would use it with 2 riens then it wouldnt be much different from his snaffle if nessecary

 

[ecrozier]

Echo suggestions above for the universal.........I ride J in a loose ring lozenge snaffle on the flat and change to the universal with a lozenge for XC / hacking in company or SJ on grass!

 

[FigJam]

What about one of the Jeffries centre revolver lozenge bits?

http://www.shop4bits.com/cat--Stainless-Steel-Revolver-Bits--SSrevolver.html

I have my mare in the loose ring but she is very strong in it when jumping and wanting her own way, so I'm thinking of trying the 3 ring gag which can be used as either a hanging cheek effect only or with back up brakes on lower rein also!

They're really reasonably priced and my mare seems to like the revolver action better than her previous regular lozenge mouthpiece. (it's the only difference between her old and new bit!)

 

[madhector]

I have ordered the NS universal, with a note begging them to post it asap, hopefully it will be here in time to try out before hand. Thanks everyone for all the ideas