Bit recommendations please!

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Horses24-7

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Hi all

I've always schooled my horse in a french link snaffle which he goes fine in, but as he is getting more advanced (probably schooling at elementary level) I'm struggling to hold him together, he's a big horse 17 h although quite fine, but I'm only a petite 5,3.

Any ideas on bits to try? I've tried him in a hanging cheek and not any difference really?

I'm not going to be competing him at dressage, so doesn't have to be dressage legal.

Thanks all! X
 
Did think of a double but it sounds such a drastic change from a finch link? I did used to compete him at BD so I suppose if I kept it dressage legal I wouldn't have any probes going back to this at a later date :rolleyes:

It's hard to explain :o it's as I'm doing more collected work and medium paces I half halt before movements etc and can get him nice and lovely underneath me, feels a dream and then as I continue he gets almost too powerful, I know that sounds odd but I feel like i am losing his power through the front, if that makes any sense :rolleyes:
 
Try a KK training snaffle although this may make him stronger but if it works he shouldn't lean on you as much.
Is your french link a loose ring bit?
What about a myler I love these bits personally and they work! I ride some very stong horses jumping especially and it makes them light and up into your hand without having to touch their mouths too much. They also do dressage legal bits if you did want to compete in one.
Hope this helps - Good Luck :)
 
For home and odd as it sounds for a dressage horse a 3 ring gag/American Gag or Tom Thumb.

One of my horses is huge, he doesn't particularly like a hanging cheek -although he will be wearing that for novice classes- for most of his schooling he has a 3 ring happy mouth and he loves it- I've tried loads of bits and he likes that the best! For his ele's this year he will be wearing a double though! weirdly enough he detests french links!

My other horse is working ele/med and he has a loose ring french link snaffle and drop which he loves! he prefers that bit to the Sprengers I have!

If your horse is running through the front it may not be something which can be totally remedied by a bit alone-but a different bit may help you in getting him back, listening to your seat and getting him to sit more behind so he's not pulling from the front legs!
 
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