Bit recommendations for strong rein snatcher

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Jjv1990

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recommendations please! My boy is generally pretty good but when he gets anxious or tired or is having a day when he chooses to be a tw@, he snatches the reins, he can do it in front of a jump or after a jump too so it’s not ideal but not horrendous. He’s currently in a loose ring double jointed snaffle And when he puts his head down he’s strong - I was thinking an expert bits comfy mouth loop ring but any advice would be great! I don’t want to go to hard on the bit! Thanks!
 
My go to has always been a Wilkie or my ancient Cheltenham gag, essential that it is used with some form of flash/grackle/drop noseband. The reason I like the gag so much is when you get to a fence you give with soft hands and it becomes a snaffle, but if horse becomes strong either before or after fence you have instant control.
 
It might be worth trying him bitless to see if it makes a difference. Do you think he is learning to take control? My old cob used to do this with my daughter. She learned to block him from dropping his head by anticipating when he was likely to do it and whipping him round in a tight circle. It's a nuisance!
 
I would not be going stronger in the bit. First thing is to have a bridge in your reins and low hands. When he goes to snatch the reins from you the bridge in them, on his withers, will sock him in the mouth without you having to pull against him.

There is an art to holding a block without needing the neck to act for you but it takes timing and practice as you still need to give as you ride normally.
 
I took my standie on his first 18Km PR a few weeks ago and he rein snatched for the first couple of kms, mainly excitement through open fields, horses passing and a bit of anxiety I think. I'm another who doesn't think that bitting up in the right course of action, I either threw the reins at him so he had nothing to snatch against (only if safe to) or if restraint was needed bridged my reins and let him tug against himself.
When I know that the novelty of PR's has worn off and that we have well established brakes in place in lots of different scenarios I plan to ride him bitless I think.
 
Bridging reins as other have suggested. Try to establish whether the snatch involves a mouth open evasion of the bit- might be worth trying nosebands before bitting up?
 
I’ve ordered him the same bit he currently has but as a bevel to see if that gives me a bit more to work with. On the occasions when he does put his head down pulling it back up he is so strong! Generally he’s fine but there’s times where it takes all my strength to pull him back up particularly if there’s grass to be eaten 😆
 
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