Bit to stop bucking?

[jenny18]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a bit which would allow me to pull up when my horse decides to rodeo. He's 17.2 and very agile, occasionally he gets very excited and bronkes, he wont pull up and I'm so high in the air I cant kick him forwards. He has a soft mouth so don't want a strong bit, just something that would pull him up. His back, teeth saddle etc are all fine and he only does it occasionally after jumps, but I just cant stay on when he starts bronking. Any ideas? Thanks Jenny

 

[kerilli]

tbh i think anything that helps you to get his head up would do, i don't think there's a specific bit for anti-bucking.
a 'buckstop' contraption might help, i've heard good things of those.
is it just joie de vivre or always after a jump, are ears back or forward? if back, i'd definitely try a different saddle... he might not agree with your saddler that that one's fine!

 

[spike123]

sorry but this to me sounds like a schooling issue and not one that a change of bit will make a difference to either!

 

[Farma]

Mine used to do this - she would find a really good suprising moment and wallop plunge and bronc but I have to say I wouldnt have considered changing the bit, I would just give her a sharp upward wallop with the rein and a whack down the shoulder with the stick which was enough to snap her out of it, she (luckily for me) soon realised she would have a fight on her hands if she tried it and havent seen that behaviour for some time, fingers crossed!
Buck stopping device maybe worth a go otherwise?

 

[jenny18]

Okay might have a look at anti-bucking. He doesnt put his ears back and its only at home, and not all the time, he just gets so excited! Unfortunatly I dont have chance to give him a smack etc because I'm up in the air looking down on him, and trying to stay on. I only considered using a bit so I could actually pull him up. Thanks will see about maybe a buck stop thing.

 

[Flowers187]

My horse used to do this on hacks whenever we cantered I brought a loose ring cherry roller snaffle, which I liked because it wasnt severe, just stops them grabbing onto the bit and yanking it out of your hands so they can put there head on there hooves and have a good old hooley with you on board. It worked like a dream and we've even been hunting 3 times this year! and once I even went in my regular snaffle as the cherry roller just got her out of the habbit of bronking when cantering in a big open space

 

[coen]

I reckon your best bet is a bit that doesn't allow the horse to grab hold so maybe a cherry roller or you could try a single jointed bit, the nutcracker action should help raise the horses head.
If you do find a miracle bit for bucking then maybe there is a miracle bit for rearing

 

[TarrSteps]

You say it's a jumping-only issue which rules out the "buckstop" devices (which are more or less glorified grass reins) anyway.

What does your instructor say? Has he/she had a sit on the horse? You say he only does it occasionally - what are the circumstances? I had a very good jumping horse that simply would not put up with the rider getting even the tiniest bit "left", let alone catching him in the mouth or coming down too quickly in the saddle. Perhaps he had a physical reason for the violence of his reaction, but considering how well he jumped (and that he was somewhat given to letting you know his thoughts on many subjects), we didn't pursue it and the "cure" from my instructor's point of view, was for me not to get left. Even as quite an old horse, with lots of miles, he had his standards and was not above enforcing them. I'm not saying that's the case in your situation, of course, but just to the idea that it's difficult to tell without seeing the whole situation.

 

[jenny18]

Yeah buckstop would prevent any movment, havent really seen anyone with them tbh.Ok could have a look at a cherry roller, hes got a loose ring snaffle at the moment, might try a french link even. He never bronks out at shows or training, so non of my instructors have seen it, most have just said to kick him forward. He only ever bucks when hes jumping at home either in the field or sand school, and its not everytime I jump, can be different times of day, it just if hes in the mood. Hes 7 but only came into work at 5 and has taken a long time to physically mature and fill out, hes just very baby, thats why he needs something to pull him up, so he learns to ride away and not stick his head down. Thanks Jenny