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polopony

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I don't know alot about bits, so I was just wondering if anyone can suggest a bit for my boy.
He's a 12yo NZ TB, ex polo pony and is rather nappy atm (bucks and spins) (back, teeth etc all checked), I'm not trying to 'cure' the napping with a bit, but just trying to find one to suit him. He's currently in a snaffle. Someone has suggested using some sort of gag but I don't really know anything about them.
Thanks for reading, hope someone can help. xx
 
hi, polo ponies are only played/stick & balled in a gag/pelham he would have been exercised in a snaffle or possibly just a headcollar, you could try a straight bar snaffle I have found a lot of them respond well to this.
 
I would try a fulmer cheek snaffle as it will help with your steering and control when he tries to nap and spin round.

No bit, however will solve this problem. However, time, patience and correct schooling will.
 
horserider0912 said:
gags are good. i have got one myself. I have a happy mouth gag i think its called. lol. Alot of people at my yard have them. quite popular!
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A proper gag or a Dutch gag? Being popular does NOT equal being good for the horse or rider.

I would question anyone blindly recommending a gag for a horse they haven't seen or without a clearer idea of what the problem is.

I would agree with the poster above re the full cheek/fulmer snaffle. The cheeks would give you less chance of the bit sliding through the mouth and more pressure for you be to able to turn the head.

Does your horse put it's head up or down?
 
he will work off neck reining more than from the bit as this is what he is used too and will revert back to if having a paddy, so you may also need thicker reins to add more pressure to the neck.
 
If it's head up then you certainly don't need a gag. You need a curb bit - something that will act on the poll rather than the mouth. However, I stick to my original recommendation as a place to start.

What about a standing martingale? A running martingale has the disadvantage of breaking the direct line to the bit when it comes into action.
 
Ah ha! I thought it was a good plan! Definitely try a fulmer snaffle. I am planning on getting an MB02 (myler) for Jazzy but he doesn't spin etc. I just want to see how he goes in it. I currently have him in an MB02 hanging cheek which he goes very nicely in - this could also be worth a try. It doesn't apply poll pressure but it does give a different position in the mouth.
 
a lot of polo ponies have damage/senstivity to their tongue or the roof of their mouth due to ported pelhams and gags that is why I recommend the straight bar snaffle.
 
showing my age i am not up with the new fangled 21st century bits please feel free to beat me with my straight bar snaffle ;-)
 
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