Bit help please advice needed

stacie21

stacie21

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right guys need some advice. I have a 4 year old who is a awesome 95 % of the time and i ride in a simple myler snaffle, in the school he goes great and every day hacking ( walk trot and canter) he is great But when a few of us go out he gets quite strong and i am doing newmarket ride in 3 weeks. I am wanting a bit more in the breaks department but only sort of the next step up as dont want to have to hang off him the whole way but dont need anything to severe what would you suggest please any ideas welcome
 
hi,
if my boy gets strong on fun rides or jumping I just use a flash strap - he is always ridden in a loose ring single jointed snaffle and just adding the flash seems to help me out. I dont necessarily see the need for more severe bits in most cases.
 
What about a hanging cheek snaffle?
Would be next step up from a normal snaffle. Works with added poll pressure which will help with the brakes!
 
yes i was thinking hanging cheek but bits do get confusing . he is only ridden in a hunter nose band so could change to a flash nose band did not want to strap mouth shut but it might just do the trick. thanks for your help guys
 
buntybaby said:
What about a hanging cheek snaffle?
Would be next step up from a normal snaffle. Works with added poll pressure which will help with the brakes!
Click to expand...

There is NO poll pressure with this bit! To get poll pressure teh bit needs to be held down in the mouth with a curbchain and for the reins to be attached lower than the level of the mouthpiece.

The Baucher (hanging cheek) has the same action as a Fulmer snaffle - it is quiet and is held at one angle in the mouth

I suggest that you get a Kimblewick or a Pelham with a Cambridge mouth. With the pelham have two reins and use the bottom rein only if he gets strong.

To fit the Pelham correctly you need to bring the chain through the bit ring, this then places the curbchain in the chin groove and also prevents the lips being pinched between the mouthpiece and chain. See diagram below
Pelhamwithchainthruring.jpg
 
A myler with slots and hooks used with a curb? Would be similar to what he is used to but a bit "more". Or a kimblewick is great for extra brakes only needing 1 rein.
 
buntybaby said:
Yes there is poll pressure!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit_ring#Baucher.2FFillis.2FHanging_cheek.2FDrop_cheek
Click to expand...

Any Tom, Dick or Harry can write in Wiki!
I can assure you that there is absolutely no poll pressure on the Baucher - its a physical impossibility!
To get poll pressure
1 The bit needs to be held down in the horses mouth and against a fixed surface (lower jaw) by a curb chain which acts as a Fulcrum[/B

2 You need the rein below the level of the mouthpiece to create Leverage

When you use a Pelham with two reins

the upper rein acts exacly the same way as the Baucher - as a snaffle with no other action other than on the lips and bars, pressure on the tongue is minimal.

the curb rein - the rein action brings the lower shank backwards which tips the upper shank forwards and because the bit is held down in the mouth by the curb chain the cheek straps tighten and generate poll pressure.

Therefore to achieve POLL pressure you need a curb bit!

The Baucher is suspended in the mouth - it is a mild bit, similar in action to the Fulmer and great if you have a horse that puts its tongue over the bit. All this bit does is sit beautifully still in the horses mouth encouraging the horse to have confidence in the bit.

When the rider uses the rein the action is backwards and the cheekpieces bag and become loose as they do in any other snaffle bit.

As I said above anyone can add stuff to wiki which is why you need to be careful what you believe on the internet
Also note in that list that the bit shown as a Fulmer (picture upside down!) also refered to as an Australian Loose Ring - should be called Austrian - Comes from the Spanish Riding School of Vienna and the bits name of 'Fulmer' is named after Robert Halls school at Fulmer in Bucks, where I used to ride. He spent time training at the Spanish Riding School and brought the bit back with him and had UK Lorriners make it.
 
I changed my bit from an ordinary snaffle to a wilkie bit and found it was just the right step. A little more control but nothing too severe or harsh in their mouth! Although it is usually percieved as being a pony showing bit I found it great for general riding when a snaffle just wasnt enough!
 
mturnbull said:
I changed my bit from an ordinary snaffle to a wilkie bit and found it was just the right step. A little more control but nothing too severe or harsh in their mouth! Although it is usually percieved as being a pony showing bit I found it great for general riding when a snaffle just wasnt enough!
Click to expand...

Wilkie's are good - the bit rotates and presses the joint into the tongue more making it just a little more effective.
 
mturnbull said:
I changed my bit from an ordinary snaffle to a wilkie bit and found it was just the right step. A little more control but nothing too severe or harsh in their mouth! Although it is usually percieved as being a pony showing bit I found it great for general riding when a snaffle just wasnt enough!
Click to expand...

I second this. I would go for a Wilkie Snaffle as it is will give you a little more brakes without frightening him.
 
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