Bit Recommendations for whizzy pony

[Stenners]

We purchased a Section B mare in May who was in the same home for 4 years ridden by a young boy and over the years got pretty whizzed up and lived for her jumping and was then a mounted games pony! They didn't have a school at home so only ever used one before a rally to canter and jump so that's what she associates in a school and we've been working on slowing things down and making her realise she can't canter and jump at 100 miles an hour every time she gets in an arena! My daughter is 6 and really managing her well at home now so we decided to try her at a rally so a new arena, new jumps (well poles on the ground) and more ponies - she got very excited and a couple of times ended up tanking off with my daughter round the school - she puts her head to the floor and goes. She's been ridden for months now at home in a Sweet Iron Full check Snaffle with a roller ball in the middle which has been working super well but when she does break into canter the breaks just aren't there quick enough so she had previously been ridden in a joined Wilkie before we had her on the lead rein so we tried that this weekend and it made absolutely no difference and no brakes whatsoever! She knows once she puts her head down she can go! There is no malice but a little bit rude and just sees the poles and just wants to go! PC suggested a Daisy rein or grass reins but our instructor isn't keen as said she's seen too many accidents with them on Whizzy ponies. the PC instructor also said to try her in a Tom Thumb - I've always thought these to be super harsh bits and as my daughter is till learning I don't want her to cause any harm to the pony by pulling too hard but I've since read that's mainly the US version which i didn't realise were different! They comes in many mouthpieces so not sure what to try - the copper ring ones look harsh so puts me off?! The pony isn't that strong and when my daughter is a little bigger and stronger she'll be able to hold her a bit more but for now we need some brakes quickly! She doesn't particularly like being on the lead rein - she's super fast as well so a job to keep up with and the more you pull the worse she is. We've tried her in a pelham too which she wasn't a fan off and seemed to make her worse. She's just a pony that loves her work and her job but we need to make sure she has some brakes without diving her head to the floor! She's all up to date with physio/teeth etc and no issues. Hacking - she's as sweet as a lamb - just marches on quickly!

So I've been recommend the Tom Thumb or a Dutch Gag? Any other advise would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Hmmmmhh. My inclination would be to get a physio/back expert to look at this pony, as something about this speaks to me of pain and/or discomfort somewhere. I always ask the "pain" question first & foremost if I see or hear about this sort of behaviour - my horse started tanking in canter a few years back, which just wasn't typical of her - and it was because she was sore. So I always say look for where its hurting now!

Yes I know you have had physio/teeth etc., and saddle-fitter?

The other thing I'd say is that sometimes with kiddies they don't possess the requisite core-stability to be able to have a fully independent seat (esp if they're still growing) and often they'll tend to be a bit heavy-handed - without meaning to. Perhaps this is something the instructor can work on? It might be a few lunge-lessons without reins may help.

If you do feel that you still need to look at bitting, I would strongly suggest you get an experienced & well-recommended loriner/bit-fitter who covers your area out to get a look. I do not believe that "stronger is better" as far as bitting is concerned.

Sorry, probably not the advice you were looking for, but like I say this smacks to me of pain or discomfort happening somewhere with this pony.

 

[Stenners]

Hmmmmhh. My inclination would be to get a physio/back expert to look at this pony, as something about this speaks to me of pain and/or discomfort somewhere. I always ask the "pain" question first & foremost if I see or hear about this sort of behaviour - my horse started tanking in canter a few years back, which just wasn't typical of her - and it was because she was sore. So I always say look for where its hurting now!

Also I'd get teeth checked and saddle-fitter out to check the saddle is fitting ok . You just might find either one or both of these things makes a huge difference.

If you do feel that you still need to look at bitting, I would strongly suggest you get an experienced & well-recommended loriner/bit-fitter who covers your area out to get a look. I do not believe that "stronger is better" as far as bitting is concerned.

Sorry, probably not the advice you were looking for, but like I say this smacks to me of pain or discomfort happening somewhere with this pony.

Thank you - as I said in my post above she's up to date with physio - only a month ago and my physio is also a saddle fitter so all was checked and no issues at all. Teeth were also checked 2 months ago and no issues there either.

Previous owners made it clearly she whizzes up when she sees jumps which she always used to do at home but take sit all in her stride now - the instructor at pony club said she's a pony that looks genuinely keen and excited.

 

[Traks]

Yes definitely check saddle back etc and teeth the usual things. My friends daughters pony is a bit like this as she uses to do BS…she has tried a variety of bits! She finds the Tom Thumb the most effective and a kimblewick. I would only use a 2 ring Dutch gag with a curb strap or it’s pretty pointless…my daughter is 11 and has a 2 ring gag with a curb when she’s jumping courses or going xc, the curb makes a big difference! She’s pretty balanced though and light in her hands x