Bit recommendation for ID

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walkandtrot

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Hi, Just wondered if anyone has any advice my heavyweight ID, she is heavy in the hand, and would prefer not to work in an outline, we spend a lot of time every week on transitions and lateral work, her teeth/back regularily checked, and physio thinks she is very supple, especially the back end, we currently compete in prelim/novice dressage, and she wears a french link snaffle, and have also tried a KK ultra, which infact I think she works even less in the hand, any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated...... (also in comp riders)
 
Hi there, my extremely heavyweight ID, (the grey i'm riding in my siggy), is heavy to the hand and I have her in a neue schule verbindend which I find works brilliantly for her (that and the fact that I could get it in 6.5 inch too!!!). Hope that helps. Luv Jayne xx
 
Aw thank you, she is a cutie, just a little madam at times!!!, I love greys too, the other grey she is grooming in my siggy is my 20 year old ID gelding, he's retired now as he's had leg problems all his life bless him, but they are both the best of mates. I just love Irish Draughts they are so versatile and honest. The chestnut is my project, he's a 3 year old pure bred ID by Flagmount King (King of Diamonds), he's such a sweetie. We were placed 4th at the Breed Show at Weston Lawns in September in the 3 year old class, I was so chuffed with him, it was only his second ever show and he was a star.

If you ring Neue Schule they will give you the number of someone who hires their bits out so you can try before you buy, one of my liveries did that before she invested in a Neue Schule and i'm sure the hire is quite cheap for 2 weeks hire.

Luv Jayne xx
 
Thanks, thats so helpful, My mare is of King of Diamonds too and Ben Purple, I will give NS a ring tommorrow, I'm glad I put this post on, as at a bit of a loss, If your on facebook, look me up if you want, I've loads of piccies of her on there, (Marita Barr)
Thanks again xx
 
Oh wow thats brill, yes i'm on facebook, i'll look you up and have a look at your photos, there's loads on mine from the Breed Show so you can have a look at those. Good luck with the bitting and your luvly horse.

Luv Jayne xx
 
what well bred horses!

Mine is ISH and I had similiar problems - made a great deal worse by his enormous thick tongue. He started out trying to use his head as a 5th leg - did wonders for my upper arms and back when starting to school!

He is in a NS, jointed loose ring and sometimes I swap to the same but the hanging snaffle version. However, for jumping I have him in a happy mouth american gag - keeps his nose off the floor and still leaves him flexible. I can not get him over a decent fence without this! Yet when schooling and dressaging, he will work happily into the bridle!
 
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He started out trying to use his head as a 5th leg - did wonders for my upper arms and back when starting to school!

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That sounds familar!!
I backed my ID in a happy mouth full cheek with a peanut, which he loved. When I bring him back into work after christmas I might need to look at some alternatives - maybe I'll try a NS.
 
Surely it's more about riding forward and not about bit? Wear some spurs when schooling and a big schooling whip to get her working off your leg into your hand?

My cob is a bitch to bend/work in an outline and after I've warmed her up we do about 10 mins of trotting in 5 meter/10 meter circles to get the bend and if she leans on my leg she gets a smack to get off (after ignoring my hand). I don't profess to be the best rider but it works! If she's irish then she's probably quite sharp so keep schooling interesting -half halting with your seat etc
 
Actually, I think if a bit discourages a horse who is prone to leaning from actually doing it, what's the problem? Most people would put a stronger bit on a horse that wouldn't stop after all. Of course schooling will help, but if my youngster starts to lean on me, I won't be sticking any spurs on. I'd rather try and change my bit first.
 
Fair enough if it works for you.
Unfortunately I have an old neck injury which means if my horse leans, I really suffer with muscle soreness later on. So I will probably go the extra mile to stop him leaning in the first place!
 
Am reading this and thanking heaven for an ID who is very light and soft in the mouth! One of the benefits of being the first rider I suppose.

I started off in a verbindend and then went onto a Sprenger Dynamic.

Now discovered his perfect bit is the Hippus and he remains light and soft. To be honest unless there is actual fiddling in the mouth my first instinct would be a swift kick in the ribs!
 
Mine's the same and getting my leg on him doesn't help as it just upsets him and sends him into a tiz. all he did before I had him was hunt, so leg just means go faster and if he's in an environment where he can't he gets very confused.
He has an ENORMOUS tongue and jointed bits were really bad on him. He is very happy in his myler mullen mouth hanging cheek and doesn't lean on it anywhere near as much as all the other bits I've tried. I know a mullen mouth is supposed to make leaning worse but it doesn't as he's comfortable in it. For faster work/jumping he has the same but with a waterford mouthpiece which again he is much happier in than a jointed bit, even one with a lozenge.
 
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Surely it's more about riding forward and not about bit? Wear some spurs when schooling and a big schooling whip to get her working off your leg into your hand?

My cob is a bitch to bend/work in an outline and after I've warmed her up we do about 10 mins of trotting in 5 meter/10 meter circles to get the bend and if she leans on my leg she gets a smack to get off (after ignoring my hand). I don't profess to be the best rider but it works! If she's irish then she's probably quite sharp so keep schooling interesting -half halting with your seat etc

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I am glad that you have found a method that works for you and your horse.
In fact with some horses leaning on the bit is a sign of discomfort and IDs can have very thick tongues and fleshy lips which can make them difficult to bit. Some also have very wide mouths and need 61/2" bits or bigger. Mine is unusual and has a short mouth but only need 51/2" although she is very fleshy. I read the OP as asking for suggestions for a bit which ID would find comfortablew. In fact I ride in a PeeWee bit which is extremely thin and looks quite harsh but with good quiet hands it is pretty mild and suits my mare, although it is not dressage legal. NS make their bits in a variety of thicknesses so would be a good choice for the OP.
IME IDs are rarely sharp although like all horses they can have their moments.
 
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