Bit issue

Jenna1406

Jenna1406

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Advice please:

My mare is ridden in a full cheek snaffle myler, now at home this bit is fine for schooling etc but for SJ and XC she will need a stronger bit and I have invested in a Dr Bristol BUT yesterday when we went to our dressage comp, my mare was soooo strong, I could barely keep hold of her, we almost went out the arena a few times. My arms are in bits today.

So, would anyone advise getting a slighty stronger bit or persevere??

Thanks
 
A different bit definitely - if you think your arms hurt, imagine her mouth - the more you do this the harder her mouth will get as the nerves in the bars of the mouth will become damaged

I'm also mystified why people often go to Dr Bristols - with a plate that deliberately digs into the tongue, rather than something a bit more ergonomic

Suggest you talk to your instructor and see what they would recommend in your horses situation
 
The Dr Bristol was suggested to me by an instructor as the instructor took her XC and by the time my mare what back, her mouth was brusied as she was so strong, so note to my nervous self.........stronger bit for jumping! lol.

Also, I am not able to use anything that has alot of poll pressure as she is head shy and can have a tense poll, so I try and avoid this (expect when I ride in a pelham, which is not very often).

Most people advise the hanging cheek snaffle but again this will be constant pool pressure as well, been told to use a waterford but, unsure if they are even dressage legal.
 
I am not quite sure when reading this if you were using the Dr Bristol when you were doing the dressage but whatever you were using she is obviously not listening, agree with above advice from your instructor will be best as it is more of a schooling issue and changing the bit is only part of the solution.

A Dr Bristol is not dressage legal neither is a waterford. There is no poll pressure in a hanging cheek.
 
what nose band are you using. We go by the rule change your nose band before your bit. Also is she pulling down whilst your pulling up? Are you constantly fighting her? Teeth checked, saddle checked etc.
 
I think I would persevere at home with schooling to get her listening to you more. Especially if she's pulling ALL the time. Stronger bits are harsher and are going to make her mouth sore/hard and won't be legal in dressage anyway.
What about a bit with some poll action but with a nice wide padded headpiece so it's not a sharp action?
 
be positive said:
I am not quite sure when reading this if you were using the Dr Bristol when you were doing the dressage but whatever you were using she is obviously not listening, agree with above advice from your instructor will be best as it is more of a schooling issue and changing the bit is only part of the solution.

A Dr Bristol is not dressage legal neither is a waterford. There is no poll pressure in a hanging cheek.
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No, the Dr Bristol will only be used for jumping. I was riding in a full cheek snaffle myler bit at the dressage. Schooling at home, there is no problem with her or her bit tbh! She can be a strong horse when cantering but normally ok to stop but excitement I think would have played a big part in yesterday but need to know if I should change the bit or persevere?

Kaylum said:
what nose band are you using. We go by the rule change your nose band before your bit. Also is she pulling down whilst your pulling up? Are you constantly fighting her? Teeth checked, saddle checked etc.
Click to expand...

We have tried several nose bands, drop nose band, you cant tighen on her as she becomes irritated, grackle - she opposed to quite badly, the only thing i have ever thought worked was the flash but was advised not to use that.

Yes, she can pull against me which then pulls me forward, so you can be in a constant battle with her which makes it even worse if you fight back (chestnut mare) but then sometimes she likes to throw her head up BUT she never does that at home.

Her teeth are done every 6 months due to previous ulcers, her saddle was checked at the start of June along with her back.
 
AshTay said:
I think I would persevere at home with schooling to get her listening to you more. Especially if she's pulling ALL the time. Stronger bits are harsher and are going to make her mouth sore/hard and won't be legal in dressage anyway.
What about a bit with some poll action but with a nice wide padded headpiece so it's not a sharp action?
Click to expand...


At home she is fine though, she listens, she becomes soft, she goes off the leg, she stops everything. This is the frustrating part. Doing a practise test at home and the instructor saying thats 6s and 7s for things and then going out and getting 4s and 5s because shes just wanting to go all the time.

I did buy a comfort bridle but it was too small, was thinking about maybe investing in another one and maybe trying the hanging cheek snaffle as they are dressage legal.
 
A full cheek will be more stable in her mouth, giving you a little help with turning but may be easier for her to set against although the myler should prevent this. I would not use a hanging, I find they can lean on the hand and do not like the feel they give me. I like to use loose ring bits on anything that is a bit heavy the bit rings moving help prevent the horse being able to set and lean. A bit with a roller or peanut in the middle may help, it really can be trial and error until you get the right combination of bit and noseband.
 
be positive said:
A full cheek will be more stable in her mouth, giving you a little help with turning but may be easier for her to set against although the myler should prevent this. I would not use a hanging, I find they can lean on the hand and do not like the feel they give me. I like to use loose ring bits on anything that is a bit heavy the bit rings moving help prevent the horse being able to set and lean. A bit with a roller or peanut in the middle may help, it really can be trial and error until you get the right combination of bit and noseband.
Click to expand...

I felt that at the dressage test I was almost pulling her around the corners. Maybe its more of an excitment thing and I am just going to have to get her used to being out and about so she settles. Frustrating.com
 
I'd persevere with the snaffle for schooling/dressage if she works well in it at home. Maybe hire some different arenas for schooling, or take her to the beach for some schooling or to a show and pop in the warm up arena if it is quiet for 5/10 mins. When you are at home school her in different fields (if you can) as well as the arena.

I'd concentrate on getting her listening and relaxed in walk and trot in different environments if canter is too exciting at the moment and build it up.

If she gets on well with a myler mouthpiece for schooling how about a myler combination bit for x country/jumping?
 
A swales would give you curb action but NO poll action - two reins though. I have a cob that was a nightmare to turn show jumping and would pull my arms out xc. I put her in a european gag and the difference is amazing! I can now ride her with such a light contact - it must be so much nicer for her rather than having her back teeth pulled out all the time!

What someone said about a noseband is also correct - you should try a flash and see if it helps.
 
I was planning taking her to other arenas and maybe the beach but that idea was stopped recently with loading issues but we are back on track with loadning (thankfully) so hopefully will get her out now. A few people have said about just riding in the warm up area at a show, to get her used to the atmosphere etc. Beach is an issue as she forgets how to walk but I have other fields and a jumping paddock to ride in (close to train track, so have to ride in between times lol)

Just googled a combination bit as didnt know what it was.
 
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