Bits and Nosebands!!! Exracers!!

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bumblelion

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Currently looking at buying a new bridle, just wondering what bit and noseband would best suit an exracer, fresh off the track who leans on the bit, and doesn't understand working from behind!! He's currently being schooled in a french link snaffle with a cavesson noseband although he's still very strong and silly. Unsure whether to perservere (if he ever lightens!!) or to try something stronger. What do you think?
 
Most of the exracers I know are in loose ring or hanging cheek and a cavesson... though I have found that mine prefer a mullen mouth or ported mouthpiece so have swapped them to Mylers, one is a loosering, the other a eggbutt snaffle, I do however have grakles for both of them for when we do Xc or jump out on grass as they can both get a bit strong! I try though to school in no noseband and they seem to do well with this, but only in an enclosed school!
 
a normal cavason noseband and snaffle!! I have one and changed the noseband and he went into orbit after a couple of weeks tried a flash again but he ran back wards just keep everything VERY simple to start with.PM me if you need any advise good luck it will be the best thing you have ever done!! I love mine to bits!! And he raced loads!!
 
My ex racer went well in a flash and single jointed hanging cheek (was used to being raced and exercised in a grackle anyway).

The trainer i bought him off used a happy mouth mullen mouth fulmer - but he leant so much and easy snatched it - was on a few outta control hacks before changing it hehe!!!

Tried a dutch gag but this wound him up more.
 
Remember that he wont have been ridden up to the bridle before. I teach them to slow totally off the seat and leg and try to never resort to the hand- The hand is there as a stable contact for them to yield to and take forward when a yield is offered.

Therefore I like full cheek double jointed or myler low ported bits until you can get them to accpet a soft contact.

Easier said than done, huh?!
 
Mine's in a cavesson noseband with a neue schule training lozenge full-cheek. Have had to resort to english gag for occasional utter brakes failures at shows (napping/bolting, not really a normal brake problem as I can stop from a gallop normally in his training snaffle).
 
I rode mine in loose ring french link...cavesson noseband mostly. They can have small mouths so you don't want to stuff too much in there!!! Mine has small mouth and large tongue!!!
I think it is best to keep things simple for them as they can be quite 'mouthy'...
Your horse won't really understand all you are asking so it may take time to get the idea of working from behind...don't forget, just go is mostly what he has been doing!!!
Transitions and bending work will probably be helpful...and not too confusing!!
Good luck and enjoy!!!
 
Both mine go well in eggbutt french link snaffles
The younger has a Caverson and flash and the older has a drop nose band.

Hacking the older as one of those 3 ring"snaffles" with a french link mouth and the younger, one with roundings for jumping & XC
 
Our ex-racer goes nicely in a cyprium french link and flash noseband. Its useful to take the drop off the flash when you don't need it and use it for 'stronger' days! The cyprium metal is nice and warm.
Just take your time and school your horse 'up' to the contact, don't take it. He will soon get the idea. Less is always more with bits isn't it .....
 
Norman has a simple snaffle and cavesson. I was told at the time of purchase NOT to use a flash on him as he'll think he's racing, so I never have, and I've never needed to.

Good Luck with yours.
smile.gif
 
When reschooling an ex racer at work recently I found a 'french link' style happy mouth 3 ring gag worked very well. It encouraged the horse round without having to nag him too much and helped me hold him together to push the hind end through. I dislike flash's personally as I think many horses fight them
 
Solo's in a loose cavesson with a sweet iron and copper loose ring for everyday, and a flash with a 3 ring gag for 'special' occasions.
 
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