Biting Advice

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DressageDiva1962

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Need to get some advice and feedback on bits...

My mare goes really well in a copper mouth snaffle with a french link, BUT when it comes to jumping (mainly xc) she takes a hold and becomes very strong and I want to try her in something that'll give me some more brakes without having to tug on the reins, I did think about a pelham with a copper mouth, but do I go for a straight bar, jointed, mullen mouth ?? not sure where to go from here and any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 
The only thing with a Pelham french link is apparently** it doesn't give very clear signals to the horse, so it has a very vague and confusing action.

**Disclaimer, a very knowledgeable woman told me this once and I am more than happy to be corrected **
 
Have had a few thoughts- have you tried a sweet iron tom thumb bit- they do give a bit of leverage, but they are very nice bits that give a really clear signal- one of mine is very fussy about what bit he goes in and he really goes nice in this- you can get them with a copper roller lozenge mouth piece too which is the one i have. My boy also loves a happy mouth 3 ring gag bit as well!

Or you can get a copper 3 ring bit as well or the Neue Schule ones.

Or even a double bridle?

When i used to have a very strong and exitable SJ pony a jointed rubber or a vulcanite pelham used with 2 reins used to work very well indeed!
 
K27 said:
Have had a few thoughts- have you tried a sweet iron tom thumb bit- they do give a bit of leverage, but they are very nice bits that give a really clear signal- one of mine is very fussy about what bit he goes in and he really goes nice in this- you can get them with a copper roller lozenge mouth piece too which is the one i have. My boy also loves a happy mouth 3 ring gag bit as well!

Or you can get a copper 3 ring bit as well or the Neue Schule ones.

Or even a double bridle?

When i used to have a very strong and exitable SJ pony a jointed rubber or a vulcanite pelham used with 2 reins used to work very well indeed!
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I've actually got a sweet iron tom thumb bit that I used on my now retired jumping pony, but I thought it looked a bit too severe for her but I might give it a try, dont want to go down the double bridle route, I couldnt cope with the extra of reins !! Thanks for your advice.
 
DressageDiva1962 said:
Need to get some advice and feedback on bits...

My mare goes really well in a copper mouth snaffle with a french link, BUT when it comes to jumping (mainly xc) she takes a hold and becomes very strong and I want to try her in something that'll give me some more brakes without having to tug on the reins, I did think about a pelham with a copper mouth, but do I go for a straight bar, jointed, mullen mouth ?? not sure where to go from here and any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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Hi , I would avoid a single jointed bit as it pushes the joint downwards onto the tongue , your horse cannot swallow so wont go well . And if you think how much saliva a horse produces 38 litres ( 2 of those water drinkers in offices ? ) and you're galloping around the countryside .. and your horse cannot swallow ... its going to rush to get it over and done so it can stop and swallow. If you try by resting your finger onto your tongue and swallow , u carnt , leave it there for as long as you can .... not long before its all you can think about , how to swallow , how to avoid the thing thats stopping you swallow. So a cambridge mouth or a port is great as it means your horse can move its tongue , Kimblewick/Pelhams are great as you get poll pressure and curb pressure and with a cambridge mouthpiece its kind within your horses mouth. Get in touch with a bit bank and try some out , cheaper than buying and it not working !!!
 
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