BITS....ideas??

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neighnay

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Ok so i have a 17 hand Irish Draught...not overally strong, but prances around for a few minutes then calms down....when cantering he carries his head fairly low but pulls a lot....any ideas?? currenyl in a dutch gag on second hole...but wondered if the levarage was making him put his head down low when cantering??
cheers!
 
I would change to something without poll pressure if the pob is with him having his head lower. How about just a normal french link loose ring or eggbutt?
 
Maybe try a Waterford snaffle.

I personally don't like the three ring Dutch gag as people tend to put it on 'srong' horses but the poll pressure exerted with the reins on the lower rings can easily exacerbate rather than help the problem.

When cantering it might be worth trying to sit up ie. not in a more forward jumping position whilst keeping your leg on so encourage the horse to use his hind legs to push forwards rather than dragging forwards off his front legs.
 
In what way is he strong? Depending on how he evades / braces his neck etc different bits will suit. Always the obv teeth / back / saddle checks too! You would be suprised how soft mouthed a horse can become if they are put in a bit that suits their mouth confirmation and so is more comfortable for them!
 
I'd try a waterford as well, particulary if he leans. It really suits my ID's mouth conformation as it's so flexible and flexes around his big tongue, it's the only bit he's comfortable in.
 
I never like to recommend putting a stronger bit on a strong type of horse like a draught. I would alway rather reschool the horse so they are light and responsive. Just becaue he is big and strong doesnt mean he has tp pull your arms out. Best thing to stop him pulling is not to pull on him. This only teaches him to pull.
A horse like this can easily be ridden in a halter with a light contact, if taught correctly.
Its a pity the one rein stop isnt more widely recognised as a useful tool for horses like this. Maybe you shouldcheck it out.
I also feel that by putting him in a stronger bit is that he may just get use to it and pull harder, especially if working in canter in open spaces. The last thing you want is him to piss off with you across the field with his head in the air.

I think its farmore effective to teach the emergency stop, so if this happened, you had brakes without pulling his back teeth out.

To do a one rein stop all you would need is a mild bit with fulmer cheeks so help bend him. Once he bends well and does the one rein stop well, you can use a normal eggbut snaffle.

Also, just because he is a strong type, doesnt mean his mouth is any less sensitive. I would always rather the reschooling option as apposed to gigger brakes, especially for a horse like this. But hey, i guess we are all so fixated on bigger brakes for pullers, instead of actually teaching the horse not to ull in the first place.

I must have put this link up half a dozen times. Maybe someone will understand its usefulness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmpDSbXPtzU

http://www.todayshorse.com/Articles/OneReinStopExplained.htm
Good article explainits purpose

Another good one.
http://www.naturalhorsesupply.com/onereinstop.shtml
 
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