Bits (American gag?)

[showjumpergirl]

Hi everyone!

I'm new to this forum but have been reading H&H for years and own a 5 year old Connemara. I compete him at BSJA Discovery/Newcomers level (ponies) - 90cm/1m as he is quite scopey, but hope to do the Foxhunter later this year.

I'm riding him in a mexican grakle and a Jeffries Revolving Lozenze 3 ring gag (http://www.ejeffries.co.uk/product/132398/BICR21/_/Dutch_Gag_3_Ring) but out jumping he tends to get strong - he bores down on the bit so goes on the forehand which is a major problem when jumping the bigger fences.

I'm looking for something stronger, I was thinking of an American gag, just for competing. Can anyone help.opinions?

NOTE: he always manages to chew his bit wherever it is placed in his mouth so happy mouths always end up ruined and he head shakes with curb chains (even leather) so pelhams are useless.

 

[martlin]

hmm, if he bears down and drops onto the forehand, wouldn't cheltenham/balding gag be a better option?

 

[showjumpergirl]

Thanks for answering!

Well, I tried him in a cheltenham but it was a little too strong - he was backing off the fences so I need something kind of inbetweeney - any suggestions?

 

[martlin]

Did you use one or two reins?

American gags can be incredibly harsh, having said that, you already have him in not exactly mild piece of kit...
If you need no curb, your options are pretty limited.
Maybe give the bit bank a ring?
www.horsebitbank.com

 

[Jennyharvey]

I really think that for such a young horse you should be training to jump correctly and not to pull, as apposed to using a harsher bit. If you put a strong bit in his mouth at this stage he may get a lot worse and stronger until you teach him he doeasnt need to pull.
What you need to be able to do with your horse is to work on a loose rein, walk, trot, canter and jump. When your aids are refined enough and only a slight ask is enough to stop the horse, then he is ready for a constant contact. Obviously you need to be able to ride with a contact to jump in comps, but if he pulls and you pull back or you put a stronger gadget on him, he may just learn to pull more and harden his mouth to the aids.
You really have to be able to get the horse soft and light to your aids, so that all you have to do is raise your hands and your horse understands to slow or stop. To many people arent taught how light a horse can be, they just assume that horses pull and we need to use something stronger to hold them.
At the end of the day, you dont even need a bit or bridle to ride your horse or jump him, you just have to learn to teach the horse to be very light to your cues. You should never ever let the horse learn to pull. its a lot harder to teach him to stop pulling than it is to not let him learn to.