Bits for hunting

Michen

Michen

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Bogalog is turning into the most fab little hunter! Standing perfectly, great with hounds and loves watching them work, eating up when he gets home and his behaviour at home has remained completely unchanged- being a real pleasure.

He’s in a cavesson and snaffle for everything (xc, hacking etc). Was far too strong in it hunting. Then tried a waterfood universal, then a NS universal neither with any more success than the snaffle. Took him in a Pelham today and he was very light in the hand with it and respectful but perhaps a little far the other way, being a bit too reactive with it if having to change direction/slow down suddenly etc, curling behind it, despite rarely using the curb rein and being careful as possible.

Would a kimblewick be gentler than a Pelham? I’ve never used one. Or a jointed mouth piece- the one I used has a small port. Or any other suggestions on something milder than a Pelham that may work?

Pic of the good pony!!


baby names ending in ia
 
I'd stick with the pelham; he'll soon get used to the different action and should stop over reacting. You could also loosen the curb chain, or use a leather or elastic one. I wouldn't use a broken mouthpiece, it makes no sense and negates the whole action.
 
You could also try a cherry roller style bit, but if the waterford didn't do the job that is unlikely to either.

A good option could be a kimblewick - I'd think you'd want to find a slotted one so you can ensure the rein action results in some poll / curb pressure. An un-slotted kimblewick doesn't really make any huge difference in action from an eggbutt snaffle. Give it a go, see which works best, and then ride to the horse's response as Cortez advises! (Any bit is harsh in the wrong hands etc etc).
 
Rowreach said:
That's effectively what you'd have if you swapped to a kimblewick.

He's probably light because he likes the ported mouthpiece. All my strong hunters went in either straight or Cambridge snaffles. And then you don't have the faff of two reins.

Lovely looking horse :)
Click to expand...

Hmm, wouldn’t that be pretty much what I have when just riding off the top rein of a Pelham? A Cambridge snaffle that is. Which he is quite capable of just running through, I definitely need to “use” the curb albeit only occasionally.

Thank you, he’s a gem!
 
I have a welsh cob who has a mouth like butter for everything, but gets a little onward bound out hunting. I hunt him in a Pelham (straight bar) with double reins and it works a treat - took him a couple of times to seek the contact in it, rather than sitting behind it but now he is used to it, we get the best of both worlds. I can stop if needed - and I only use the bottom rein if needed.

I sometimes, early season before he's super fit he'll go in a snaffle and grackle combination, but once he's a little fitter I often need more breaks so he doesn't take over!
 
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