bit of advice on bits please (also in CR to no reply)

[R2R]

I was wondering if you could help me a bit with a bit!

My horse is not strong but he does lean. One thing he will do is try to run out 10 strides out of a jump (bad pony) however if I can get him straight and keep him straight he will jump. He just leans out to the left if he starts spooking.

We are currently jumping 1.20-30 at home, boringly I know nothing about bits, just feel like I need something that is a bit easier to get him back from than the hanging cheek French link snaffle I currently have him in?

We have got our first BSJA next weekend, would like to take him schooling this weekend to see.

Thanks

 

[Faro]

I'm not brilliant on bits and bitting either, but I was recently recommended to try a Waterford for a horse that leans.

I've got to admit that for this particular horse it made no difference, and I'm now trying him out in a hackamore for endurance rides - however, when I was doing my research I had many, many people told me that the Waterford had helped enormously, so it may well be worth you giving it a try.

You should be able to get one with a similar hanging cheek to what you're already using. A Waterford can be severe, but only in the wrong hands. It can be a useful tool for a nice quiet rider with light hands, however if you're at all heavy in your hands, I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[R2R]

I wonder if they do one with sides? Someone said try brush bit rings but I dont really like the sound of them.

I usually xc him in a waterford!

 

[JessandCharlie]

My WB was very leany and for somebody as small as me I struggled. I use a D ring copper roller snaffle, the transformation, lovely! (Had tried lots of others to no avail)

 

[Rowreach]

Many horses lean in a french link, so simply changing the mouthpiece may help. A waterford is good for a horse that is strong, but if he is not strong just leaning I would try him in a cambridge snaffle personally - I've had a lot of success with a lot of horses (and ponies) in this bit, particularly ones that people say lean (or are strong if they can't tell the difference lol)

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I agree with Jessandcharlie but I'd probably use a full-cheeks roller snaffle rather than D-rings. This is just personal preference though.

The Full cheek copper roller snaffle is a popular bit, and is used for horses that need something stronger than a jointed bit because they lean or try to grab the bit. The alternating stainless steel and copper rollers set along the mouthpiece, allow the bit to roll up the mouth, and help to prevent the horses from grabbing it between the teeth. The jointed mouthpiece gives a nutcracker action on the bars, and can contact the palate. Full cheek bits are often used on young horses to aid steering, as the cheek gives a more positive action against the cheek when the rider asks for a turn. Full cheek snaffles should be used with fulmer loops which secure the top of the bit to the cheekpieces to prevent the bit from rotating and leaving the cheeks pointing out which could pose a hazard. By securing the cheek, it also allows a very small amount of poll pressure to come into play, helping to encourage a lower outline.

 

[simplyhunting]

Waterford sounds like it might suit your lad, you can get these with full /hanging cheeks or loose rings so maybe go for a full cheek for a bit more direction control? We've got a little pony who goes in one of these and now actually has steering and brakes hunting
Although a copper ring roller is another option but I find it to be a touch more fixed in action than a waterford, so is my less prefered option, but it does work well , I can now actually sj my horse rather than just p****** off round a ring!

Maybe try a bit bristle? They do work , just cause a slight discomfort to the horse when pressure from the opposite rein is applied, in your case fix it to the left side to discourage the left lean. I ride my horse in this combined with the bit bristle as he liked to 'hold' the left rein and it did discourage him from running out to the left and holding the rein.

 

[cyberhorse]

I have a SJ who I ride on the flat in a snaffle, but he gets very strong when we are jumping. At home we use a copper roller which helps to an extent. However at a show he is even stronger (brakes and steering fail) and he will lean which tips me forward. Hence I am in no position to sit back and hold him to our next fence so we have begun to use a waterford. Before this I tried a happy mouth gag and it was more than we needed. The waterford has been really successful for us and I believe this is also partly as we do not use it at home. I would say between the two bits you should find a solution.