Bit Help

[Kiko]

This has probably been done a few times but need some help!

My boy is rising six, we're getting there slowly and beginning to use the correct muscles but he is still quite 'pokey' he is currently ridden in a kk ultra light, he salivates well, but out hacking especially, if you need him to slow and give and take with the reins, he pokes his nose out and doesn't listen to me at all. He has quite a hard mouth as well.

His bit seems to move through his mouth quite alot and I think I need to invest in a full cheek to keep it secure, he is currently ridden in just a plain hunter noseband, do you think a drop noseband would be sufficient? He does open his mouth now and then and seems to be quite gobby, and dribbling quite a bit. I'm going to get the dentist up next month and have his saddle checked to make sure all is well. Do you think its more of a case of persevering?

any oppinions or suggestions appreciated! Thanks so much! xx

 

[kerilli]

full-cheek single-joint or myler 02 or 32 mouthpiece plus drop noseband = sorted, imho!
otherwise, just for the time being, a myler 02 mouthpiece combination bit... i've just started hacking my mare out in one (because she gets completely daft on a fast hack, inverts her neck completely, and throws herself around most disconcertingly) and the combo is amazing - she stays soft and light and doesn't even think of inverting. because they work on nose and poll before mouth, they're good for keeping a horse light imho. just an idea, anyway.

 

[OrangeEmpire]

I'd be going for an eggbutt style bit so that it can't move about so much, if you think he's finding too much movement in that bit.

With the pokeynosed downwards transitions - once you've established that it isn't his teeth, you need to work on getting him to move 'forwards to walk' rather than being pulled back to walk (I'm not commenting on the way you use the reins here as you've already said you give and take). This means you push him with your legs into the transition. Sounds odd, but they tend to resist/go pokey when their hind quarters are not engaged properly. Just lots and lots of practice really!

 

[Kiko]

Thanks for the advice guys!

I thought single jointed bits had more of a head raising action? Do you think perhaps a Fulmer with keepers for a little added pole pressure encourage him to stretch into the contact a bit more?

Orange Empire - thanks for the advice, I think it definatly is lots and lots of practice! He can be quite lazy and sometimes I have to really push him to get him going anywhere in the school, so could possibly be one of the main problems.