BIT Help, please!

[AEH]

I have recently just got a 14hh haflinger pony, the owner says she is 25 but she is still so lively and loves to work. She is currently ridden on the third loop of a dutch gag with a flash and running martingale. I do NOT think this is right. She is a fast pony and can be very strong when jumping (of which I am yet to try!) I am a good rider with very still hands and seat, however my confidence with this new pony needs working up. I have tried her on the top loop of the gag and felt she was rushing and not listening but is this just due to my confidence? to just let her go a bit as she did slow to trot, i have also tried her on the second loop down, but she tossed her head all over the place and seemed so uncomfortable so I just rode her again with what she is used to on the last loop of the gag. She goes well in it but she has always been a riding school pony so has her head in the air. I am trying so hard to bring her head down and work in an outline but it doesnt feel right me trying to do so when she has the gag in in. I am also concerned as to what to use when i want to try a cross pole as she doesnt go well in the second loop down. I feel the martingale is right but not the bit! ANY help will be appreciated, thankyou!

 

[Littlelegs]

Gag should really have two reins anyway, so put one on the main snaffle ring & leave the other on the bottom for if you do need it. I'd also swop the flash for a drop, ime a lot of horses will fight a flash as its so restrictive. I realise at 25 there's only so much you can do, but sounds like in the past she's been ridden with quite heavy hands.
One thing that might be worth a try is riding somewhere enclosed on a long rein for a week or so. Not always, but sometimes if you leave them with nothing to pull against just for a few days some quite quickly realise its ok to relax. Especially if she's been in a riding school she should be pretty quick at sussing out any new style of riding.