Biting advice - its so confusing!

[Rua1]

I'm really not too good with all the different types of bits there are around, they are so confusing so i need some help!

Basically I would like to start some ridden showing and dressage next spring, (am giving myself the winter to practice if the school holds up) I have an ISH who is just made for hunting! But in his previous life also did very well at dressage so does know what he's doing, I just need to figure it out.

He is ridden in a hard rubber pelham at the moment, when we got him he was ridden in a dutch gag but he used to lean like no tomorrow in this. YO suggested move to pelham as he knew he worked well in that which he does. We always have the curb chain on the loosest setting for hacking and schooling and he seems to really like his bit, opens his mouth to take it etc.

As i understand it if i show him as a hunter I can ride in the pelham, but if i do normal ridden and especially dressage I cant.

So the question - what do i use!! In my little brain the next bit makes sense but I really would like your suggestions. My thought - he was ridden in a hanging cheek and went well, as he likes the hard rubber of his pelham should I (and am i allowed) to ride in a half hanging cheek rubber mullen mouth?(apologies if i have all the words mixed up)

I can see finding a different bt that works is going to cost me a lot of money! Thanks for your help

 

[Barneykins]

Hi - you can do ridden showing the pelham - most people do. Use 2 reins tho - not roundings. As for dressage - you need to check which bits are legal. I'm not sure you can get a hanging cheek straight rubber bit. Try a hanging cheek with a lozenge in the middle - should stop him leaning. Usually if you only change the bit at the last mo - the test should be over before he notices. Well hopefully....

 

[millitiger]

yes, you are dressage legal in a hanging cheek and a mullen mouth so should be fine.

there are so many 1000's of different bitting choices out there is can be so confusing- does your YO/ any friends have a bit box you can raid to try out different ones?

i have collected dozens and dozens of different bits over the years and i think most horsey people are hoarders like me so you should have someone who can help and save you buying bits needlessly.

 

[Kat]

Have you ever actually tried him in a loose ring snaffle with either a lozenge or french link? If you can borrow him try schooling him and see how it feels. You only need to use this for dressage so if he's a bit strong it doesn't matter too much as you aren't doing fast work.

Depending upon the results from that nice basic snaffle you can decide whether it is worth trying something else or whether that is satisfactory.

You could try a hanging cheek, and if he liked the dutch gag he might find it better. You'd also be legal in a full cheek, d-ring snaffle or eggbutt snaffle. There are no restrictions on the metal type or whether you have a happy mouth or whatever. It is the shape of the bit that is crucial.

You can have a mullen mouth, but you might struggle with flexing him for dressage.