Bit Recommendations For A Keen Draught

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Dex has a cantering problem out hacking, it's mostly that he doesn't want to do it and would rather go flat out at a speed he dictates and stop when he feels like it today I had to straight leg lean back to not end up somewhere we shouldn't have been!

Up until this point he has been in a copper lozenge loose ring snaffle, for the fun ride we went on I borrowed a rubber straight bar pelham with roundings which he was fine in but I think the straight bar of it means he braced against it as I didn't have much refinement in that to be honest, plus I don't love roundings or the thick rubber mouthpiece and don't want to double rein as we have lots of gates on our hacking and it's one more thing to get caught on something.

It also looks like a hell of a lot of metalwork on the face of a horse which is very light in the hand and sensitive in every other sense (photo below so you can see what I mean - or it might just be me not being used to seeing anything other than a snaffle).

Does anyone have any thoughts/recommendations to try? What's the consesnsus these days on Waterford mouthpieces - did we, as a community, ever decide if they're useful or cruel?

 

[blitznbobs]

I like a Waterford in this situation and can swap back to a normal snaffle when not likely to extract the urine …

 

[Gloi]

The cruel thing would be letting him put himself and you in danger because you have no control.
Personally I like a kineton noseband.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

The cruel thing would be letting him put himself and you in danger because you have no control.
Personally I like a kineton noseband.

I do quite like a Kineton and had one of my previous horses in one, but Dex has such a big head that I think I'd struggle to find one that would fit him properly - I do have half an eye out for one to try though. They're very expensive for a 'give it a go' which is the only annoying thing..

I like a Waterford in this situation and can swap back to a normal snaffle when not likely to extract the urine …

I may see if someone on the yard has one to give it a go - I think it's one of those things where it's only as harsh as the hands it's in, but I know additional research is always coming out so wasn't sure if I've missed something

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

deleted.

 

[dixie]

What about a jointed Pelham ?
I used this on my big ID for showing as he didn’t like a straight bar and I’m not a fan of them either.

 

[blitznbobs]

I do quite like a Kineton and had one of my previous horses in one, but Dex has such a big head that I think I'd struggle to find one that would fit him properly - I do have half an eye out for one to try though. They're very expensive for a 'give it a go' which is the only annoying thing..



I may see if someone on the yard has one to give it a go - I think it's one of those things where it's only as harsh as the hands it's in, but I know additional research is always coming out so wasn't sure if I've missed something

I wouldn’t use it for school work but if you are hacking generally on a loose - ish rein then just using it if he leans then all good

 

[catembi]

FWIW, the bit bank has a kineton for hire... https://www.horsebitbank.com/products/kineton-noseband-2

 

[Highmileagecob]

Do you have an enclosed arena where you could do some schooling in a bitless bridle or Dually, just to teach him not to lean? No idea why, but this seems to be a trait of cobs and draft breeds in general - once they realise that they can defy you, the stubborn 'yeah, let's do it MY way' attitude kicks in. My daughter and I had similar issues with Old Dobbin in his younger days. Every fun canter turned into a race, and eventually we stopped riding out with any more than two companions. Taking him bitless some years later made him more comfortable and he listened better, but I realise it isn't for everyone.

 

[SEL]

Is he bracing and sticking his head down or coming up and avoiding the contact that way?

I'm currently trialling an NS elevator which is supposed to help bring them up and back.

 

[Katieg123]

We use a Waterford on our draught out hunting - works perfectly!

 

[cauda equina]

There are second hand Micklems to be had quite cheaply
I found a Micklem + bit clips worked very well with my cob's usual snaffle when doing more exciting stuff

 

[teddy_]

If you feel like there's too much going on with a pelham, but you find the curb chain useful; have you considered a Kimblewick? Variations without a mullen mouth are more expensive, but I think they're underrated bits.

 

[southerncomfort]

If you feel like there's too much going on with a pelham, but you find the curb chain useful; have you considered a Kimblewick? Variations without a mullen mouth are more expensive, but I think they're underrated bits.

You beat me to it Teddy!

I used one on a welsh cob and really rate them. She was great 99% of the time, but occasionally we needed to have a discussion about who was in charge of speed (and steering!).

The kimblewick worked for us because the curb only comes in to use when you really need it.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

FWIW, the bit bank has a kineton for hire... https://www.horsebitbank.com/products/kineton-noseband-2

Briliant, that's really helpful - thank you!

Is he bracing and sticking his head down or coming up and avoiding the contact that way?

I'm currently trialling an NS elevator which is supposed to help bring them up and back.

To be honest neither, he is bracing his neck but the head remains very neutral position wise, he's just completely ignoring the pressure applied.

Do you have an enclosed arena where you could do some schooling in a bitless bridle or Dually, just to teach him not to lean? No idea why, but this seems to be a trait of cobs and draft breeds in general - once they realise that they can defy you, the stubborn 'yeah, let's do it MY way' attitude kicks in. My daughter and I had similar issues with Old Dobbin in his younger days. Every fun canter turned into a race, and eventually we stopped riding out with any more than two companions. Taking him bitless some years later made him more comfortable and he listened better, but I realise it isn't for everyone.

I would usually absolutely agree this is a good thing to do but any other time he is super light and sweet in the hand - he's not even horrid with this, he's simply just enjoying himself and getting confident, I even do bits with just a neck rope in the school just for fun, so in any other situation than a canter on a hack you could steer him with one finger on a snaffle - this is why I would like something that only comes into action when it's absolutely needed and don't want to overkill the rest of the time as I don't want to create leaning or a hard mouth for the 95% of the time he is great.

There are second hand Micklems to be had quite cheaply
I found a Micklem + bit clips worked very well with my cob's usual snaffle when doing more exciting stuff

Thank you, I have thought of this but where his mouth is quite low set and his 'smile' doesn't come up that high, I think anything that comes in front of the bit would anatomically not sit right and put pressure largely on the thinner nasal bone area, or pull the bit up too high.

If you feel like there's too much going on with a pelham, but you find the curb chain useful; have you considered a Kimblewick? Variations without a mullen mouth are more expensive, but I think they're underrated bits.

I actually haven't but having had a Google this could work really well, I like that it's essentially a snaffle with a curb, so is low key unless needed. Thank you!