Bits for strong horses

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dinky123

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I took my horse hunting several times last season and he proved to be very stong (even in a pelham). He tended to tuck his head in and throw all his weight on his forehand and into my hands! The thing is, if I let him go he would simply get faster and faster and before i knew it i would be at the front.
I know that if i took him out more regularly he wouldn't be so strong...but i dont think i could put up with it untill then!
Do any of you have any suggestions about which bit i could try in order to prevent him leaning on the bit so much?
 
My old pony was vvvvvvv strong out hunting.
He came with a pelham so used that for hunting and it made him worse!
Hunted in a three ring gag after that and he was a lot lot better... On bottom ring at first but he got so much better that i moved it up to the second and he was still Ok... really worked wonders with him... I think the pelham can be so harsh that the fight against it even more... worked for me anyway...
smile.gif
 
Hi, the waterfords are good, they do them in a pelham, they can't get hold of it then as is has links in it not one bit of metal, it worked on my cob when i took her hunting, as she got a bit exciteable and strong to say the least!
Kate x
 
I have used a cherry roller gag with two reins, found that a vulcanite pelham was just leaned on. I think its trial and error to find a bit that horse will be happy and respect.
 
A lot of people don't like them - but for brakes you can't knock a Sam Marsh pelham. Better to be used in horses with fleshy mouths. Look a little medieval - my husbands reaction to mine was WTF!!! It was the only bit a friend of mine could hack her horse out in because he just used to cart off! You can use 2 reins or use roundings - either way - it's effective!!
 
For a horse which leans and goes onto the forehand, a gag is a good choice, it helps them to get up and off the forehand as well as stop. Try a NS universal.
 
Sounds like my mare!! I tried everything and nothing worked long term. I moved yards and the yard owner said to me to try a myler combination, it woks perfectly. I can canter behind other horses without getting my arms pulled out of the sockets and can even pull her up while the others keep going. It has been a god send lol x.
 
Are you using two reins? You will get better results from a pelham with two reins and an unjointed mouthpiece. Might be worth a try. Check it is adjusted correctly and that the curb isn't too loose.

If you want to try a gag then use two reins so that you can give clear signals and can ride from the snaffle rein when he is being good, this will reinforce what behaviour is acceptable and what isn't. With a dutch gag you can also use a curb strap which might help.

Alternatively what about a stronger snaffle type bit? Maybe a Dr Bristol?
 
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