Bitting advice for hunting

[hoorayhenry]

Hi,

I took my mare out hunting last weekend for the 1st time. She stood fab at the meet and set of fine except one pace more than everyone else. However once we started jumping I had no control So little I ended up going early before we had an accident. She jumped everything in her way but as soon as we landed she put her head down to the ground and ran, I tried everything to lift it up, I couldn't even turn a circle when I lost my stirupp.
I took her out in a NS Universal with roundings. I normally hack her out in the Universal on the snaffle ring.
I would love to take her again as I think she will be so much fun, when I know I'm in control.

Any advice is appreciated

 

[FabioandFreddy]

I'd try her in a waterford if she's putting her head down to tank off.

 

[hoorayhenry]

I though about a waterford just didn't know if it would be strong enough. Would I be best to try a gag so it lifts her head as well? I thought about a waterford cheltenham gag with fixed cheeks so I could also steer. I was just amazed how strong she was
However someone suggested a vulcanite pelham?
thanks

 

[FabioandFreddy]

I've only ever had to just change to the waterford mouthpiece with Fab and he's ok with that. Used to tank off in company and first time out with the waterfrd in he tried to get his head down to take hold and go and was very bemused that i was in full control (with a bit of a smirk on my face!) You could go for the gag though, cheltenham or normal and have the option of the lower rings if need be. At least you'd have the 'bit extra' if needs be!

 

[maggiesmum]

The only bit that truly raises heads is a cheltenham gag, I had the exact same problem with the mare I used to hunt, once she saw a fence she was like a heat guided missile!!
I ended up in a tom thumb (the cheltenham was too strong and she objected by launching into the air. :-/ ) with 2 reins, I rode off the top rein but gave a one rein lift on the bottom rein to left her head when needed.

I probably wouldn't use a pelham, its more likely to lower the head rather than raise it.

 

[hoorayhenry]

Thanks both of you, That was my originally thought on the pelham.
I'm edging to the cheltenham gag, but i might try the waterford aswell, not sure i could cope with double reins out hunting. 1 set is enough Looks like a new bit will be joining my slowly building collection x

 

[charliehands]

I'm in the same situation with my mare at the moment and really don't know what will be the best thing to try.. I'm thinking about a cheltenham gag

 

[doodleberry]

a waterford is prob something that you should try sometimes when they put their heads down being strong is mistaken for just being heavy and on the forehand so a waterford will lift them off their forehand and they can't grab hold of it . it really is worth trying everything regardless of weather you think it wont be strong enough horses are very odd creatures and are very rarely predictable!! your horse will prob go better in a snaffle lol!

 

[Lollii]

I had this problem - nothing worked except a Pelham although I didn't try a cheltenham gag ... Nothing stops a strong horse like a Pelham .. IMO

 

[hoorayhenry]

I,ve ordered a ns Waterford nelson gag, if that fails I will try a Pelham next. She will be a fab hunter if I can find the control x

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

Pelham just made my 17 hander tuck his nose into his chest and tank more. having said that the deterrent effect of it did mean he didnt tank so often to start with.

As previously said, the true (cheltenham) gag is the only one that has a lifting action, other gags do the opposite. Waterford may well be the answer to prevent the battle in the first place, even as a temporary thing.

 

[hoorayhenry]

The nelson gag is like the Cheltenham but has fixed cheeks. I thought it would help me at least turn if I can't stop mares eh. X