Bit reccomendations...

[CBFan]

I have a 17hh and still growing 4 year old Cleveland bay gelding with a long neck and big front end. I currently ride him in a full cheek french link snaffle with keepers. He goes well in this in the school, works nicely into it and generally doesn't fight it. Out hacking though, I have had a couple of moments where I have been worried he won't stop! We are currently only walking and trotting out hacking but there have been a couple of occasions where he was going to bog off with me - he just seems to run through the bit - he sets his neck / jaw and then he's off. I realise this is a schooling issue and that it is still very early days but it is also one of those things I can't really school him through until we are in the situation - as I said he is responsive in the school and generally not a very forward thinking horse. I am therefore considering a different / slightly stronger bit for hacking only. Someone sugested a waterford which on reading up on it sounds like quite a sensible sugestion but I am open to thoughts. I would love to keep him in the mildest bit possible - started him in a loosering french link but found I needed cheeks for steering.

Any other recommendations? or schooling tips for nipping this in the bud?

 

[touchstone]

Personally in that situation I quite like something like a pelham, you can ride off the snaffle rein 99.9% of the time, but also have the security of the stronger bit when needed. Have you tried changing his noseband? Sometimes switching from a cavesson to a grakle/flash/drop can help.

 

[CBFan]

Yes, a pelham had also crossed my mind funnily enough! I just wondered whether there was anything inbetween that I could try first.

Thank you for the sugestion of a different noseband... he isn't one for opening his mouth or anything and he is a bit sensitive about his nose so I will have to give this carefull consideration... I suppose I could get a noseband adaptor for a flash if needs be...

 

[dreamcometrue]

I suggest a ported mouthpiece Pelham and I have one going for free if you'd like it (6"). I used it for my Haflinger who was, sadly, pts. He sometimes used to run off and it worked like magic.

I want all his things to go to good use rather than keep them or sell them. PM me if you are interested. I have already passed his bridle on.

 

[skydancer]

I suggest a ported mouthpiece Pelham and I have one going for free if you'd like it (6"). I used it for my Haflinger who was, sadly, pts. He sometimes used to run off and it worked like magic.

I want all his things to go to good use rather than keep them or sell them. PM me if you are interested. I have already passed his bridle on.

Sorry to hijack the post but i just wanted to pass on my condolensces(sp) and just say how very unselfish you are being - ( if those are the right words)

 

[CBFan]

Sorry to hijack the post but i just wanted to pass on my condolensces(sp) and just say how very unselfish you are being - ( if those are the right words)

Here here! This is the second time this lovely lady has come to my aid.... she's one of the loveliest people I have ever (virtually) met xx

 

[brown tack]

I'd try a drop French link snaffle and add an leather/chain curb. See how you go in that if you still need brakes then add the Pelham. I find that your type of horse the addition of the curb is enough

 

[CBFan]

I'd try a drop French link snaffle and add an leather/chain curb. See how you go in that if you still need brakes then add the Pelham. I find that your type of horse the addition of the curb is enough

Do you mean a hanging cheek snaffle? confuzled!

 

[brown tack]

Do you mean a hanging cheek snaffle? confuzled!

Silly iPad missed out cheek, we call them drop cheeks in my parts.

 

[CBFan]

Silly iPad missed out cheek, we call them drop cheeks in my parts.

Ahhh thanks for clarifying... I googled drop cheek snaffle and didn't have much luck!

Can you just explain how the action of a hanging cheek will differ from a full cheek with keepers? Is it just slightly more 'effective'? (don't like the word severe)

 

[Ella19]

I'm a big fan of Wilkies

http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/Loop_Ring_Wilkie_Jointed_Snaffle-(326).aspx

 

[Adina]

I have just changed my CB mare into a 3-ring Gag with central lozenge and TWO reins. The first rein attaches to the large ring so that the action is like a hanging snaffle and most of the time the contact is with this rein. If she is a bit "rude" and tries to run through the hand then I use a little more contact on the bottom rein. So far she has improved lots. I am reluctant to bit her up. There is also the advantage that you can use a hanging snaffle in a dressage test and the horse will go well in it.
I've used this arrangement for years with my now 19 yrold. I would not go cantering across the fields in a snaffle on him, but with the gag he knows I have the"just in case" rein and usually I don't need to have much contact on the bottom rein. Nice to know you have a few more brakes if needed though!

 

[Inchy]

How about a cheltenham/running gag with two reins?

Get one with same mouthpiece as your current snaffle. Ride off snaffle rein and just pick up 'gag rein' when you need it. I have a similar problem - school in french link snaffle, hack in french link cheltenham gag.