Bit suggestions for Ex Racer

lisan

lisan

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For Showjumping. We school, hack and jump at home in a tounge saver lozenge snaffle. But need something stronger for exciting parties!

Have tried a hanging cheek snaffle, she snatches and is too strong. Tom thumb, head up and back arched, more bouncing

Thought the Pelham would do the trick as she is fab in the xc, but really really backed off in that! (ported pelham, with roundings)

Tried a universal gag quite some time ago, and had head at about her knee level and no control! Don't know weather to put a curb on it and try it again?

Any suggestions welcome, she does have a sensive mouth and prefers thin bits!
 
What does she do in her current bit that makes you feel you would like to try something stronger? What she does or how she evades will be your clues as to what to try next!
 
I have found several ex racers get on well with a jointed pelham, I know by the textbook it shouldn't work but they seem to like the feel and it gives me just a little more control, like you I found that anything gag or lifting like gives a very "wafty" feeling in front (not in a good way!) and have had my nose broken trying out a dutch gag (hence I now hate them, justifiably!). Quite a few TBs have small mouths, not a lot of room, so I would steer clear of a port if I were you as it just feels too much for them.
 
Alot of racers are started in single joints (for all their sins!), but tbs often have high palattes and large tongues, so it can actually suit them. IIWY I would call the bit bank, I have found them to offer really good advice, and you can try as many bits as you like so you don't wind up with a stash of useless bits at home! Since she bounces too (does she drop behind the bit?) I wouldn't necessarily step the strength up as you might just find she comes behind the bit more. A bit that is more steady might help her find the contact more steady and so not grab at it?
http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/
http://www.thehorsebittrader.co.uk/
http://www.horsebitbank.com/
Assuming teeth are up to date (mine gets v like you describe after only 6 months as she quickly gets sharp edges, even though 9 months would be a reasnoble amount of time to wait until next appointment with edt!) then the bit banks would be my next choice, I would prob be considering moving away from the french link (not often I would suggest that!) as I'm wondering if the movement isn't helping.
 
Faracat said:
It might also be worth looking at Mylers. The comfort snaffle mouthpiece is the only thing my tiny headed mare is happy in. You can get the same mouthpiece with different cheeks (eg, full cheek, pelham, D-ring etc...) I did find that I needed to go down a size though.

http://mylerbitsusa.com/comfort_bits.shtml

http://mylerbitsusa.com/bitshanks.shtml

http://mylerbitsusa.com/before_after.shtml

Can you borrow one to try to see if your horse likes it?
Click to expand...


I bookmarked on on ebay as thought it looked nice, but £75 !! She only has a 5 inch mouth, don't know anyone else on the yard that has 5 inch bits! Will keep looking.
 
glosgirl said:
Alot of racers are started in single joints (for all their sins!), but tbs often have high palattes and large tongues, so it can actually suit them. IIWY I would call the bit bank, I have found them to offer really good advice, and you can try as many bits as you like so you don't wind up with a stash of useless bits at home! Since she bounces too (does she drop behind the bit?) I wouldn't necessarily step the strength up as you might just find she comes behind the bit more. A bit that is more steady might help her find the contact more steady and so not grab at it?
http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/
http://www.thehorsebittrader.co.uk/
http://www.horsebitbank.com/
Assuming teeth are up to date (mine gets v like you describe after only 6 months as she quickly gets sharp edges, even though 9 months would be a reasnoble amount of time to wait until next appointment with edt!) then the bit banks would be my next choice, I would prob be considering moving away from the french link (not often I would suggest that!) as I'm wondering if the movement isn't helping.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the links, definitely worth a try. I have a little D ring jointed snaffle, might try her in that again too, but the horsebitshop looks good!
 
lisan said:
I bookmarked on on ebay as thought it looked nice, but £75 !! She only has a 5 inch mouth, don't know anyone else on the yard that has 5 inch bits! Will keep looking.
Click to expand...

I have the same problem, my mare is also normally a 5" mouth but she needed a four and three quarter inches in a Myler! :eek:
 
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