Bit ideas for young pony

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riding_to_the_stars

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I have a young cob mare who is currently in a loose ring french link snaffle with a lozenge. She has been in this bit since i broke her in but her love for jumping and running means she gets rather strong! She has a big fat cob tongue and a hard mouth but i don't want anything particularly 'harsh' as she does sometimes have children riding her so bits that require very light hands aren't ideal. Any ideas of what bits i could maybe give a go? I'm not particularly educated on bits as this is my first pony so im learning as i go!
 
As she's in a double jointed bit right now, I would first try an ordinary single jointed snaffle. Make sure it is quite thin in the middle to make room for her big tongue.
'Up' from there, I would go with a Kimblewick, or Pelham if you prefer, which is not 'harsh', tends to be good on thick-set cobs and ponies with strong necks. Some ponies actively prefer this type of bit as it doesn't have a jointed action.
 
Personally I think single joints are quite harsh and I refuse to use them, as they could be harsh with the wrong hands due to the nutcracker action, and if the horse has a low palate it's even more severe.

My first choice would be some sort of ported Pelham, with a sensible size port obviously for her mouth.

I couldn't recommend the Neue Schule bitting helpline more, their years of experience with bits is invaluable, and even if you don't want to splash out on one of their bits, you can generally find a similar alternative and will get some good pointers. It's free, and they are really nice. :) web link is: http://nsbits.com
 
How young is young? If she's still at the green stage it would be better to train her to voice aids than up the bitting. If she's not that young I would lean toward a pelham rather than a single joint. I don't like the single joint action either - although I have had horses who prefer it.

The NS line is great and I'm a big fan of NS bits - but there are other makes out there and advice from the horse bit bank might be a little less single manufacturer focused.
 
In this case I think you need to work on schooling over and around fences, not just change the bit. And I think changing a horse who has always been ridden in a lozenge link to a "thin single joint" mouthpeice is a terrible idea.

I work at a RS and when we get new/young horses to train up for the RS they are often quite keen jumping etc; it's just a case of repitition to influence the behaviour and just doing things like schooling around the fences, circles, jumping and halting... all little things to train them to come back to you.
 
Merlod said:
In this case I think you need to work on schooling over and around fences, not just change the bit. And I think changing a horse who has always been ridden in a lozenge link to a "thin single joint" mouthpeice is a terrible idea.
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All of this. Please don't use a single-joint - they are absolutely horrid.
 
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