Bit recommendation

[dilbert]

I know this is really hard to answer so apologies in advance

I'm thinking of taking my cob to a child / beginners hunt and I've been advised to try a slightly stronger bit just in case. At the moment he is ridden in a loose ring French link snaffle. Occasionally in canter with pals / pleasure rides he leans and gets strong ( ie I can't get his head up and he tanks along )

Putting him in a French link gag has been suggested but just checking what others think?

 

[marley and danni]

i think he will lean if you dont use it correctly you would need to have a liht contact and only use full contact when u need his head to come up. i have a tb that tanks which his head between his legs sometimes so i use a rugby pelham with a long shank and 2 reins its a god send to me i only need a light contact on curb and his head come up as he doesnt like the pressure.

 

[JenHunt]

for a newcomers day then you'll probably be ok, but you might want to reassess your bit after that if you decide to go again.

Learn to only take a pull when you want him to react. So if you are all just trotting along, loosen your contact and let him swing along, and then when you all come to stop sit up and ask firmly to stop. He'll probably stop sharpish. Same goes for cantering/galloping. There's no point in hanging on if you're ok with the pace. And 95% of them stop when everyone else does!

 

[simplyhunting]

Id be tempted to try a waterford if he's leaning? And has jenhunt says don't make your life harder than it needs to be!

 

[maggiesmum]

As above give it a go and see how you get on but the only bit that will truly raise the head is a Cheltenham gag, I've seen it used very successfully on a few cobs that plough.

 

[JenHunt]

A double bridle (not a Pelham) will do a good job too, but takes some getting used to.

 

[Hunters]

A Cheltenham gag truly lifts the head.

There is little worse than being tanked off with on the hunting field. It can be truly tiresome.

Hunting is meant to be pleasurable for both horse & rider, do try & get sorted so that you can both have a good day.

 

[dilbert]

Thanks for your advice

I couldn't cope with a double. He doesn't do it every time we canter and is generally very well behaved but obviously I dintveantbto be battling with him the whole way round.

I think I need to learn not to give him something o pull against which will be the hardest part for me. I'm quite wary of changing bits as I've never had to do it before with my other cob and I worry that he won't like the change and will make things worse!

 

[lauraandjack]

Rather than necessarily going for a stronger bit, you could consider trying a different noseband to make sure he can't open his mouth to evade, I don't know what you use normally?

I second Jenhunt about only taking a pull when you want him to react. Horses do see hunting as a bit of a herd activity, so as long as he is not getting too close to the horse in front or trying to race then let him go with the flow. Almost all horses will stop when the others do! The more you pull the more he will pull!