bit for xc

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wench

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I have got first ODE with horsey in a couple of weeks. Dressage will be the easy bit, just sj and XC I am bit worried about!

SJ horse hasnt got much experience with, but only 2ft jumps so going to trry and trot him round it and get over them. His steering is not overly good. I have him in a full cheek snaffle atm, but I am thinking about trying a copper roller full cheek.

However, xc he will tank off with me, and run around jumps unless you can slow him up to a trot before them, in his normal snaffle this is a lot of pulling. I want to try a different bit to see if it makes a difference, I was either thinking about perhaps a Dr Bristol full cheek, or the copper roller. When he runs off he doesnt really lift his head up or down, just runs off and doesnt listen to you at all, even when riding with seat.

He does need a bit more schooling, but I was just wondering if anything would help us whilst he gets his head round it all.

He is a 10yo 16.3 tb btw...
 
It depends really on how he react to various bits and their actions - there are so many !

I would try a 3 ring snaffle as the mouth piece would be the same as what's he's got in at the moment, or maybe a cartwheel bit.

Also look at the tpe of noseband you've got on as this can be a help too. However, nothing really beats a lot of schooling over little jumps to gain his confidence.
 
The only problem is that I dont have much access to transport, but hes better than he used to be. I think his problem is that before I got him he was just used for hunting (I would also suspect team chasing as he is exceptionally fast!), and thus used to following others!
 
I dont know what bit he was in for hunting. I have taken him hunting in a snaffle, and he was fine, but that was cantering/galloping along tracks in single file in woods. If it was through fields it would have been a much different story... I think a near death expeience (he is ok in single file as used in riding school out hacking!)

I have never ridden with two reins
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Oh ok, shame about double reins, as an english gag would have been ideal as you can use the snaffle rein until you need the gag action!
 
It doesnt sound like a bit issue to me..... If he's actually running around the jumps then thats definately a BIG schooling issue Id say! but if you feel a bit will make a difference - I had a WB who was strong XC, he went ok in a waterford but hated a pelham or gag. In the end he went best in a Myler Combination short shank. They're very good bits.
 
he is fairly well schooled on the flat.... its not necessairly that he wont jump, its you cant slow him up enough to go over them, which when you are going up to a jump and he runs out right at the last minute is just downn right dangerous. Hes had someone off like that before, and they fell on the jump and knocked themselves out.

Hence needing something a bit different to the snaffle which you have no breaks and no steering

ETS: He can also be a bit nappy, at last HT we went to, jumped first three jumps, then he decided he'd had enough and tried to get back to the start. Once he realised that he wansnt (already been roiund the course once), just got faster and faster the further round he got!
 
Yep an english gag is a cheltenham gag, just a different name
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But really should be used with 2 reins so prob not advisable if you havent ridden with 2 reins before!
 
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