Bit help please??

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pipper

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I currently ride pony in a loose ring french link. But he is VERY strong out hacking and although very polite when asked to trot he is waaaay to fast. Does a very big cob trot - really uncomfortable (but looks very flashy!!!) I can hardly hold him - he puts his head up (have martingale on) OR he drops his head and comes behingd the bit (chin on chest) I have tried doing his nose band up tightly and adding a tight flash - but not really any different. I have tried softening with my hands and slowing my rise down - but he still goes at the same speed so it just means we end up out of 'synque' (SP???) I need to find a bit that i can have a bit more control BUT i have the added problem in that he is a bucker and has a very soft mouth (my hands are ok but not brilliant) so i fear that too much in his mouth will result in a bucking fit.......
any ideas please???
 
I always found my cob went well in a straight bar rubber mouth pelham with double reins. Very gentle most of the time because of the rubber, but you have the curb is you want a bit more control. He objected less to being controlled through the curb than by more metalware in his mouth. (But make sure you do your research in riding with double reins/curbs, it is simple if you have been properly taught!)

However, I would ring up on of the bit hire companies and get their advice - I have always had good advice in the past and it is great to be able to try before you buy - (says someone with too many bits in her tack room from the buy before you try approach!)
 
Both Big Cob and Little Cob go best in ported straight bars. They both have a pelham if going out and it's going to be fast (otherwise brakes are an issue!), and boulchers(sp!) with the same mouth piece for everything else.

Little Cob does the head up thing, but only does the occasional buck with excitement.
 
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you could consider the same bit with eggbutt cheeks for a little more control or even a loose curb chain rather than lashing the mouth shut with the flash strap.

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So does the eggbutt give youmore control??
I would much rather have a different bit than a tight noseband and flash (its a pet hate of mine) i feel dreadful putting it on him and when i get back and take it off he rubbs his poor little mouthand face on his leg!
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it is a different feel and a little more rigid and with the right mouthpiece will allow you to more subtly influence each side of the bit - although at the moment it doesn't sound as though much sublety is featuring in the hacking
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Also look at curb options - Myler have holes to fit a curb chains on their comfort snaffles so you don't have to be looking at fearsome bits!
 
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