Bits for dressage ??

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enchantedunicorn

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I want my horsey to do his first dressage test soon - just the intro though , his canter still needs work! He's normally ridden in a pelham , I know this isn't a dressage legal bit but, he goes so well in it. I was just wondering if there would be anything that is similar - similar action etc that is dressage legal. He tends to get his tongue over the bit , has a saggy pallette and a fat sensitive tongue - such brilliant mouth confirmation he has! Thanks :)
 
if its your first go, why not go HC and just go in the Pelham. I used to ride my mare in a Pelham and rarely did dressage. Otherwise why not try a mullen mouth straight bar snaffle
 
enchantedunicorn said:
Hi , I'm gonna sound really stupid and ask what's HC? Thanks for the advice :)
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HC is Hors Concour - its French, meaning literally 'out of the competition'. A competitior who enters an event hors concours pays the entry fee, completes the competition but is not eligible for placings/prizes

OP - try a Baucher, unjointed, also known as a Hanging Cheek snaffle.

It sits in the mouth exactly the way the Pelham does, but obviously has no curb chain, so no poll pressure. It is dressage legal
 
Even if you're competing HC, it's unlikely that the judge will let you use a pelham, as it doesn't give them a true impression of how the horse is going, and so they can't really judge the movements. I'd also go with a baucher - I used to use one on my old mare who didn't like to have a bit pulling at the corners of her mouth. A french link mouthpiece should help with the tongue issue - the double joint means it won't pinch him. I'd also suggest trying to get him out a pelham for everyday schooling though - the curb action encourages the horse to lower its head giving the impression that it's going well, but can often shut down the back end, so you get a false outline and store up trouble for yourself in the long run.

Good luck with your test - remember to breathe and enjoy yourself! :-)
 
I was also going to suggest trying a Baucher. You can can them with various mouthpieces eg. French link, single joint, etc
 
Chirmapops said:
Even if you're competing HC, it's unlikely that the judge will let you use a pelham, as it doesn't give them a true impression of how the horse is going, and so they can't really judge the movements. I'd also go with a baucher - I used to use one on my old mare who didn't like to have a bit pulling at the corners of her mouth. A french link mouthpiece should help with the tongue issue - the double joint means it won't pinch him. I'd also suggest trying to get him out a pelham for everyday schooling though - the curb action encourages the horse to lower its head giving the impression that it's going well, but can often shut down the back end, so you get a false outline and store up trouble for yourself in the long run.


Good luck with your test - remember to breathe and enjoy yourself! :-)
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Unfortunately it's not really an option for him not to be ridden in a pelham for everyday - he is very strong and because I have had to have been quite strong to get him to stop as he does not yet respond to half halt , which has chaffed his mouth. With a pelham I can use / have much lighter hands he tends to listen more. I did try him in various gags before he had the pelham but, seemed to thoroughly hate them! I know what you mean though but , that's what he seems to be happiest in - thanks very much for the advice :)
 
Hi I'm eager to find out more about the baucher - my friend has one with a waterford mouthpiece. Do you think a watterford would be appropriate? Thanks , sorry about all the ?'s
 
Personally I think so, yes, although I've only used one once, on my hunter mare who I jumped in a ported Pelham in workers classes. She went loopy in the Waterford, absolutely hated the way it felt on her tongue. Particularly if you're thinking of eventually moving your horse to a normal snaffle, a Waterford is probably a step in the wrong direction. From your description in your original post, a French link Baucher is probably the bit for you. I know you say everyday schooling in a snaffle is a no no, but if you're going to do a dressage test that's how you're going to have to ride, so you might as well start now! You're going to gave to ride downward transitions in a snaffle in your test, so start riding them on circles, making the circle gradually and gently smaller by turning your body if you can't stop. The circle makes a natural handbrake as it brings the hind legs under, so you'll find it easier.
 
Rather than stronger, different bits have different actions.

If you are planning to ride dressage tests in competition you are going to need to ride in a snaffle.

You would be best to now do all your schooling work in a snaffle. Keep the Pelham for when you hack out.

You NEED to get obedient transitions in the snaffle as this is what you have to do the test in. If your horse won't listen at home he certainly won't in competition.

I think you need to get an instructor to help you to gain control.

In the meantime, if you ride with two reins on your Pelham you can use just the top rein for schooling, and maybe use the bottom rein when he refuses to slow Down.

Lots of schooling on circles, loops, serpentines, transitions within the pace and between the pace will all help to get him more supple, better balanced and more obedient.

The power of positive thinking, use it to your advantage. As well as giving the aids to slow down with your body, use your mind as well. If you can change from trot to walk it means that you can get a half halt, just ensure you expect it to happen - the power of positive thinking!
 
It's not that it has a bad reputation per se - lots of people find Pelhams very useful, for example in show hunter classes if the horse isn't mature enough to understand a double bit yet. But the shank works as a lever meaning every little move you make with your hands is felt more strongly by the horses, this effect is compounded by the curb action working underneath the horse's chin. Think about the difference between lifting something as a deadweight off the floor and how much less effort it takes to lift it using a lever and fulcrum - that's the difference in the effect of your hands with any curb bit,be that a Pelham, double bridle or whatever. If you have very steady hands and know how to use double reins this is fine, but if you don't, or you're using roundings, the pressure is applied indiscriminately, leading to a horse that actually becomes stronger and dead in the mouth.
 
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