Bits

[katie_and_toto]

We hired a Cheltenham gag with a lozenge and when I went xc schooling on his own he was fine, only a little strong towards the end (he also had a grackle on). However, when we went to a pc xc rally (with a cavesson and cheltenham gag on) i found him difficult to hold. He got so wound up that when he had a lead over a drop he just took off. The bit did it's job and stopped him leaning but it took me a while to stop him as I'm petite on him and he's quite chunky. He took off once more later and for the rest of the time he was jogging about and rushing into and away from fences. Mum talked to the lady at Bit World again and she recommended a cherry roller cheltenham gag for when we do xc on his own and a myler combination for when we're in company. We're also trying out a drop noseband at the moment. What does everyone think?

 

[1alex1moose]

It's really important to pull and give the pressure with a cheltenham as they're really strong.... also make sure you really throw your hands forwards as you go over a jump - especially drops - as it can be very uncomfortable for the horse other wise. this could be why he's running off.
In my opinion a waterford cheltenham would be an incredibly harsh bit and i would try and avoid it by more schooling rather than just putting something bigger in his mouth.
Did you have any problems XC with him before you tried the cheltenham? some horses really dont like the poll pressure.
Have you tried a standard pelham - some horses respond better to a curb than poll pressure.
Im not being rude about the company but they're bound to advise more and more bits rather than more schooling! also they've recommended a myler - one of the most expensive around!!
maybe get a few lessons XC? unless you try and work on the problem your horse will eventually have a ruined mouth from stronger and stronger bits and you'll have no brakes at all!

 

[katie_and_toto]

I don't think you've read my post quite right, we're not trying a waterford cheltenham gag, we might be trying a cherry roller. Yes, we have had problems in the past with his strongness, he was in a Tomb Thumb last time i did xc but I struggled with him a little as he still got strong. The bit bank we went to gave us a bit to try with no poll pressure (the cheltenham gag) as poll pressure would make him lean more. She also told us to stay away from pelhams as they have lots of poll pressure. We will go xc schooling with lots of different bits and try them out. thanks anyway