Bit question

showjump2003

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 March 2006
Messages
2,599
Visit site
Hi, I would really appreciate some advice! My pony has always been very strong, we do have lessons and work on schooling so no suggestions that I go learn how to ride please! lol
tongue.gif
smile.gif


For my lessons and hacking she is in a pelham on two reins, she can still get strong in this at times when she gets excited but on the whole she has been going much better in this bit that she has for a while. Problem is now I want to start jumping her. She gets very strong and tried to gallop everything and thinks a lap of the field after each jump is mandatory. She sin't green when it comes to jumping. She is 16 years old and has done alot of jumping with me in the past. I used to jump her in a ducth gag and martingale but wasn't completly happy with this control wise. Can't jump her in the pelham on two reins as I need a martingale as she will put her head up to evade the bit and a pelham with roundings isn't very effective!

Tried her in a kimblkewick last night with a curb and she still pissed off with me after every jump!!!

Any ideas!
 
i have the same prob with my horse, at the mo im riding him in a happy mouth straight bar dutch gag with a flash and a martingale...it works so far but iv got a jumping comp tonite so wel see! itl be gud to hear peoples suggestions on this.
 
Why don't you put the martingale on the snaffle rein if you're using two reins anyway? If she rushes in the Kimblewick then my guess is she will rush in a Pelham. If you use something stronger then you might get away with it but it could also be too strong & she may end up stopping!

Most horses rush jumps because of being anxious - take that anxiety away & they no longer rush. Start small & build confidence, use grids, circle away if she tries to rush & only let her jump when calm - there are loads of things you can do - trot poles before & after the jump to stop her rushing off after
 
Is it a straight bar Pelham??? If so then you could try a jointed one, which has worked with a couple of strong horses I know. Otherwise have you tried a Tom Thumb, I love them!

Otherwise it could be a confidence thing, we have a pony who used to be very worried about jumping and would just charge at them, so we went back to basics and now she flies!
 
I used a Myler short shank combination bit to get us through our "no brakes" phase. The curb and nose piece discouraged him from getting above or below the bit, which was the real problem, rather than the strength of the bit itself. I emailed the UK Myler consultant for advice 1st (listing the symptoms) and then borrowed 1 from a bit bank before I bought it.
 
Top