Bit question

J

Joya

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Ok, so am about to make myself sound like nonce, but anyway.
Have recently started doing faster work with Gem on hacks and am finding that she is really too strong for me to be doing it in a straight bar eggbutt snaffle.

Somebody suggested I try a kimblewick, but I've never used one and am worried I would fit it wrong or do something wrong and ruin Gem forever (ok, so I do tend to worry a lot lol)

She tends to put her head down and just go, whenever I try to slow her using my reins she bucks, and has a *stick fingers in ears and sing la la la la la as loud as possible* moment until I have to use a hedge/fence/something solid to stop her infront of. (She isn't bolting and I know she wouldn't go through said solid object.) When I try and slow her by using my seat, she falls into the most uncomfortable, stupid trot which I really would like to avoid, as no matter how much leg I put on when she's doing it, she just trots faster, I have to be in a forward seat to canter or gallop with her. I've had her back checked as it did worry me, but she's fine.
So after that long winded ramble, any suggestions
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(other than 'buy a new horse, you obviously can't ride'
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Aww, she sounds like she is enjoying herself!
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Maybe try a slightly more severe snaffle - like a hanging cheek/twisted/dr bristol or something??

I don't like bits with a curb personally, not sure why though so maybe a kimblewick would be worth a go, I don't think you will ruin her forever!
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A lot of people don't like them, but I think dutch gags are good and all horses I've ridden in one seem to accept it ok. Maybe try one of those on the middle rain?
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Thanks BB2, I will have a look at those
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Yes, she's definitley enjoying herself, I love it, had such a lovely night with her tonight, rode her around the field bareback, because we rode past the field on our way home, so just took off saddles and cooled them off in the field
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I personally love kimberwicke bits. I use one on a very collected horse that I ride that's just a little too strong on a snaffle. You can buy kimberwickes without a curb- I use one just like that
 
I was thinking dutch gag as well because you say she puts her head down and sort of tows you along? Dutch gags can have a bit of a lifting effect on the head which might help you get her head up and you back in control.

I love kimberwicks for very strong horses - I use one for mine XC - but I would try a dutch gag first because kimberwicks aren't very refined, delicate bits - more like OK BUSTER YOU STOP NOW!!!!!!.

JMO
 
i think if your using a snaffle you need to try something just a little stronger like a hanging cheek snaffle/french link or like i use a full cheek penut snaffle with bit keepers. these are both still quite mild but offer more poll action and may be enough for you. i would then try dutch gag. but some schooling will help and doing fast hacking on your own (if your not already) as there is no one to race!
 
I agree with the stronger snaffle - don't go down the curb chain or gag route just yet. I expect you'll find that she'll settle down shortly.

I know that when I started doing faster work with Thumper I found him terribly strong - but totally stopable. Like yours his head would go down and he'd tank off on his forhand.

I haven't changed bits - but have ensured that better canter transitions and position prepare us both and he's now cantering beautifully on his arse, instead of his head........
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The other thing with Thumper is that as he had not been outside of a menage for six months, cantering in the open was terribly exciting. So I only did it uphill for the first couple of times, which helped hugely.
 
Hey you! I wouldn't advise a curb bit (Kimblewick) as an obvious choice as the curb will encourage the head down (picture all the little show ponies really behind the bit...) & I think you'd be better with something that she can 'run' into, if you know what I mean - you don't want to encourage the head down more, not least because if she's not going forward, she's bucking.

I agree with Amymay, go with something a bit more simple, for example a Dr Bristol (text book strong bit on the tongue, although I have to admit to having never got much of a reaction to them...).

There's possibly a bit of a schooling issue here as it sounds as if she thinks she is galloping on 'her' time & you're interferring (ok, bit too much humanising there, but hopefully you get my point!). You need to SCHOOL her through the gallop so she knows she stills has to be polite even when having a blast. Build the upward pace slowly (trot, steady canter, bit faster, faster still...) & CHECK her the whole time - firmly correct her if you think you're losing her at any point. She needs to be there ALL the time, not just at the end. When it's time to slow give yourself plenty of time so you can really do it gradually, hopefully civilised enough to not make her buck - guess she may also think it's rude if you start hauling on her right at the end!
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Just check, few strides, check again etc, building it up depending on what response you're getting, but try to make it a bit more controlled, a bit more like schooling than going for a blast... Try to think about the top eventers - they couldn't be hauling on a galloping horse or they'd break their neck! The horse needs to be able to gallop but still in a controlled fashion.

Hope that helps x
 
My mare is quite similar - strong but with head down! She is improving dramatically now I'm doing lots of hill work with her, in particular trotting and cantering downhill with lots of downward transitions to get the back end under her. Our canter is now almost unrecognisable - and that's in just a couple of short weeks!

Bit-wise, accept the points about trying a stronger 'snaffle-type' bit first, but I've found a running (cheltenham) gag very effective with Missie. It is a 'true' gag ie. it raises the head - some of the Dutch/3 ring gags whilst undoubtedly effective with many horses can give a confused signal, and personally I prefer the cheltenham if you need to get her head up.
 
Wow, thanks for all the advice everyone!!
I think I will stay away fro mthe kimblewick for a while and try som other snaffles. I didn't really want to use a kimblewick on her as I don't think she needs the curb.
Thanks everyone
(And apologies for using the word nonce, after readint the post in the SB I had no idea!!
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I have a bucker when hacking and did not want anything to strong in his mouth, I changed to a Tom Thum with lozenge the english version, it is brilliant, I can now ride in company which used to hardly do after a not far old incident

I am now going to try and change down to a loose ring french link, but will never part with the tom thumb !!!
 
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