Bitting advice for ex racer

[bumblelion]

Just curious what bits you ride your ex racers in. Mine is norm in a loose ring French link (has been last year and half for everything) but recently he's become so full of it, and just tanking off! The last hack we went on became dangerous that I daren't go out again until I find the brakes again! Even in the school, he becomes so strong totally ignoring my seat and aids. I feel I need something stronger from a safety point of view. A few people have suggested a Waterford, any ideas?

Also had back, teeth and saddle checked and all fine. No other obvious reasons apart from him just feeling very well!

 

[LadyRascasse]

ride both of mine in a pelham for jumping an the girl is in a hnaging cheek french link for everythig else and the boy is in a straightbar eggbutt for schooling pelham for hacking due to lack of brakes

my personal prefenance is a pelham with 2 reins so you have the second rein for when you need it and the snaffle rein for normal riding

 

[miss_bird]

I would not go from a french link straight to a waterford as there are many bits inbetween that may suit your horse before using a waterford as they can be rather harsh bits

 

[bumblelion]

Which bit would u recommend I try first then miss bird? I did think a Waterford would be a bit harsh too

 

[MillbrookSong]

Ex racers that was described to me as very strong when i 1st got him did everything to start with in a french link then strangely then went to a happy mouth where he was very good but in the end he got very leaney on that for XC to went to a hanging cheek waterford - the change was amazing he was lovely to ride in that. Dont know what yours history is but Gogs was in training for 8 years ran 41 times over fences and hurdles!

The baby i have now who was only in training does everything in a full cheek lozenge bit.

TBH its trial and error - i would always prefer to over bit a horse and feel safe than just have enough to control them. I would give the waterford a go.

 

[yeeharider]

have neve thought of my waterford as a harsh bit after all bits are only as harsh as the hands that use them my mare goes dressage in french link sj and xc in waterford no problems

 

[bumblelion]

I meant harsh for an ex racer as they say the stronger the bit, the more they fight it.
Millbrooksong, great advice, another positive for the Waterford! Thanks everyone

 

[yeeharider]

I think in use the waterford is no stronger bit than a snaffle it just acts in a different way ie the horse cannot lean on it/tank off in it would do my dressage in it if we were allowed love it

 

[Shrimp]

I rode mine in a loose ring waterford for a while before returning to using a french loose ring for everything. It is not a harsh bit if used correctly and that is the same with any bit. I found it very useful for mine as he was not strong, just tended to grab hold and fight against me when he got a bit too excited. Its worth a try

 

[Nailed]

Ted was ridden in a French link loose ring snaffle for everything.. including a good gallop up the common and NEVER had any issues.

Lou x

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

I ride Happy in a loose ring lozenge bit which he loves - its quite thin and suits his little mouth. I hunt him in the dutch gag version - again with lozenge. He responds very well to that.

 

[Bosworth]

I have just taken my ex racer from a loose ring lozenge to a straight bar happy mouth as he was too soft in the mouth and backing off the contact in the school. I Xc him in the happy mouth and SJ him on grass in the loose ring waterford. A waterford is not a harsh bit at all, in fact it is far far far softer that the single jointed snaffles and is a very gentle bit. Why it works so effectively is not the harshness, it is in fact because it is so flexible in the horses mouth it cannot grab hold and pull. It allows room for a fleshy tongue and puts no pressure at all on the bars in the mouth. It encourages the horse to soften and mouth the bit.

 

[tiggerette]

Re waterfords - what about a horse that 'over mouths' the bit, do you think it would just over exaggerate the problem? Don't need brakes, just need a horse with a settled mouth and neck!

 

[china]

prince is in a copper loose ring lozenge snaffle for flat work and jumping and a pelham for xc, he just gets a little but to excited xc and i only need a little pull to check him. he used to be in a waterford hanging cheek snaffle for jumping but lots of flatwork has meant he is now jumping in a snaffle but with a grackle.

 

[Firewell]

Mine is in a bog standard hollow mouth snaffle, for everything even XC and hunting. Ive tried a rubber snaffle which was fine but rubbed the corners of her mouth, shes also been in a lozenge snaffle which i may swap her back to as its kinder than the nutcracker.
Mine is never strong, if she feels like shes getting heavy its usually because ive started pulling against her and if i soften the reins and sit back she comes back to me

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