Bit with more steering?

[Abacus]

I've got a lovely 8 year old chap who is pretty green cross country - wobbles and veers all over the place, making the approach a bit troublesome. At the moment he is in a butterfly bit with a chin strap and I don't feel as though I have a lot of control over steering. I recognise this is partly a schooling and experience problem, and I am taking him out a lot for xc schooling and working at home in a big space to get the steering more under control - although he is fine at home. It's when we are out that he wobbles everywhere, making eyes at the other jumps and anything there is to look at. I'm musing about whether there is a bit that would for the time being help me to keep him straighter until he gets the hang of going from fence to fence instead of taking the scenic route. Something with cheeks...?? He isn't especially strong, just wobbly.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Full cheek snaffle? Or full cheek with lozenge? Theres loads to choose from but for steering I would say full cheek ?

 

[catembi]

I have a full cheek bomber bit. It does help a lot.

 

[scruffyponies]

I might try one of those neck-strap thingies which have straps going back to the girth either side (sorry, don't know what they're called). It acts a bit like having a steady closed rein on the neck, and is said to discourage spooking and random lane changes.

 

[Abacus]

I might try one of those neck-strap thingies which have straps going back to the girth either side (sorry, don't know what they're called). It acts a bit like having a steady closed rein on the neck, and is said to discourage spooking and random lane changes.

Ooooh, any idea where I might find one? - don't think I have ever seen that, sounds like a good idea. I was actually just musing on that while dog walking - something like side reins to help straightness?

 

[Wizpop]

I might try one of those neck-strap thingies which have straps going back to the girth either side (sorry, don't know what they're called). It acts a bit like having a steady closed rein on the neck, and is said to discourage spooking and random lane changes.

Martingale?

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

I've got a lovely 8 year old chap who is pretty green cross country - wobbles and veers all over the place, making the approach a bit troublesome. At the moment he is in a butterfly bit with a chin strap and I don't feel as though I have a lot of control over steering. I recognise this is partly a schooling and experience problem, and I am taking him out a lot for xc schooling and working at home in a big space to get the steering more under control - although he is fine at home. It's when we are out that he wobbles everywhere, making eyes at the other jumps and anything there is to look at. I'm musing about whether there is a bit that would for the time being help me to keep him straighter until he gets the hang of going from fence to fence instead of taking the scenic route. Something with cheeks...?? He isn't especially strong, just wobbly.

I always go for Fulmer snaffle with keepers over any other bit for steering.

If allowed to post here, this is in aid of charity to sell if your interested. bran new with label

 

[spacefaer]

Rather than going to the mouth for straightness, I'd go to the hindquarters. Get him going forward - not faster, but concentrating on you more positively - and all your steering issues will be cured.

 

[Abacus]

Rather than going to the mouth for straightness, I'd go to the hindquarters. Get him going forward - not faster, but concentrating on you more positively - and all your steering issues will be cured.

I couldn’t agree more and have no hesitation in sending him forward but when we’re out and there is SO much to look at he doesn’t really listen to the leg as he does at home. All his attention is on other stuff and not enough on me and the leg. I feel that this is largely a matter of taking him out a lot until it’s more normal and not so spooky and exciting. At the same time I think it might help to have the right bit to help straightness even while I work on the forwardness. I’m not meaning a strong bit, just something that discourages veering and it sounds as though full cheeks might help a bit. Thanks to everyone for their help.

 

[Sir barnaby]

Definitely full cheek snaffle, my horse used to climb up the kerbs and the bit kept coming through the mouth trying to steer her, the full cheek sprenger stopped that

 

[Goldenstar]

Full cheek snaffle many many horse go through a stage of being helped by one .

 

[scruffyponies]

Ooooh, any idea where I might find one? - don't think I have ever seen that, sounds like a good idea. I was actually just musing on that while dog walking - something like side reins to help straightness?

This kind of thing: https://saluteequestrian.com/collections/click-connect-scholarship-range

 

[Fieldlife]

This kind of thing: https://saluteequestrian.com/collections/click-connect-scholarship-range

Whilst I think that is a useful idea, I dont think it will help with keeping gawking green pony straight.

I do use similar (but mine is a cut down hunter breastplate and was free not £150). If you cut the middle strap off and dont attach the martingale attachment from breastplate, you can fashion the same idea.

Though looking at the pictures on website, I think the breastplate is far better as the top strap is exactly where I need it as a grab strap. The £150 attached neck strap would be too far forwards for me. (A grab strap between D rings on saddle is too far back for me too)

 

[Abacus]

It's interesting but I am not sure it would do anything more than a normal 5-point martingale (with the option of using the martingale rings or not):
e.g. -
https://www.equus.co.uk/products/salisbury-5-point-breastplate

I feel as though the front end could still be quite wobbly with this in place - it might have a small influence. Thank you again for the suggestion - I might try adapting my ordinary martingale for the next xc schooling to see if it does anything.