Bitting advice for pony

[holt889]

This is my first time using the forum and thought I'd see if anyone can help in my quest to get the right bit for my daughter's new pony. He's a fine 12hh who came with a wilkie and a full cheek waterford. He is lovely and a treasurer to hack, school and handle but in canter he tends to go right down and if daughter doesn't collect him enough he gets faster and then she has trouble stopping. He doesn't exactly run off but doesn't stop unless she really really pulls!! He hasn't done much out of school/arenas and as we are getting him used to PC rallies outdoors etc i really need a better braking arrangement for my daughter cos' it'll ruin her confidence and get the pony used to bad habits. She had very little brakes with the wilkie and not that much more with the waterford. Trying a sweet iron tom thumb for few days and he stops instantly with it but still has his head way down in canter. Any advice gratefully received...

 

[Fleur100]

I tend to be a bit old fashioned at times... have you considered a pelham? Its probably going to be a question of borowing lots of different bits to see which suits best.

 

[sueandtoto]

My daughter rides her pony in a NS Universal for PC and XC , he's fine in the school at home and she just uses a snaffle but for faster stuff , with it having the gag action, it just lifts his head to stop him leaning and tanking off ! , hope you sort him out

 

[holt889]

Thanks for your thoughts...like you say trying lots is going to be the best way to go. In my PC days you either used a snaffle or pelham so know what you mean about being old fashioned !! Nowadays you see all sorts of bits used on ponies. I have the tom thumb from Bitworld...they are very helpful there so will be able to see what she thinks about a pelham. RI is giving daughter a lesson tomorrow so will see what she thinks too...will look up the NS universal aswell. Not noticed that one and if it can be used as a gag when needed that would be good. Husband did suggest that I just drink vodka shots at events so I don't know whats going on...alternative idea maybe !!???

 

[sueandtoto]

LOL !! , I must admit I sometimes have to shut my eyes when Toto is having a "moment"

, where abouts are you in Leicestershire? , we keep Toto near Loughborough and Katie is in the Quorn Hunt PC

 

[holt889]

We're near Melton and Quornies too!!

The NS universal you uses..is it the waterford one or the one with the tranz lozenge. Just looked on their website and can't believe the variety!! Not really done much with him as only got him in July and he is so good - not really the horror he sounds in this post !!! Had to sell last pony as it started to bomb off..v.nasty with it too but found out it had done this with previous owners but they failed to admit to that when I bought him!!

This one isn' t nasty but just want to get it right for their sake and mine !!

 

[Boysy]

You may find the Tom Thumb has the opposite action to what you need as it has quite a bit of leverage action and you want the ponies head up rather than down. A 2 or 3 ring snaffle or gag may be better as the loose rings allow the bit to move up and bring the head up. The gag is a bit of a contradiction in bits to be honest as you have extra rings to move the reins down but as the bit is a loose ring, you get the opposite effect when you take contact and the bit moves up encouraging the head up to evade the pressure......

 

[sueandtoto]

Ahh theres lots of us about !! , its the tranz losenge one that we use , I got it off Ebay , not sure if Bit world hire them to try (worth asking) , I asked for advice on here about brakes , running off ect and loads of people reccomended them and **touches lots of wood** he seems very good in it , bit naughty selling you that first pony especially knowing its for a child , Toto came from Ireland having been hunted loads (we wern't told this

) so he thinks group hacks are just tally ho !! , we will have to get together for a natter when PC start their winter rallies at Brooksby

 

[DuckToller]

How old is he? If still young, then more schooling will certainly help, and it could be he lacks balance so it's easier for him to lean on the bit and run.

Another option - I paid a light-weight adult to ride my 12.2 for a few weeks just so he learnt not to do it. It worked quite quickly as the pony seemed to realise what was expected of him.

But if he is older, then how about an English gag if you can find one small enough? Could always use two reins, one for walk and trot work, and a spare set with a knot ready for jockey to grab quickly when needed in canter.

Failing that, definitely go for the vodka

 

[hellybelly6]

I would go for more schooling and lessons with a qualified instructor.

For horses which lean I would recommend the NS Universal trans lozenge bit, it has the added bonus of using the one bit, but with multiple rein settings according to conditions.

My horse leans and this really helped him.

 

[holt889]

Wow, these forums are great....wish I'd taken the plunge and used it ages ago !!! Defo. meet up at Brooksby..always nice to put a face to a name !!
Lesson this am was lovely and he was an absolute angel..didn't quicken in canter one bit...almost too sluggish now and daughter was exhausted with all the kicking and squeezing he needed !!! Its almost as he knows what is in his mouth and knows its not worth fighting. BUT me and RI think it maybe a bit over the top this TT, so will look at the NS bits. Will be interesting to see how he is at nxt weeks outdoor rally..field maybe different to school !! He was a dressage pony and is nicely schooled and have thought about getting someone to ride him just to keep him balanced..will look into it abit more. I would love to get on but being a "fuller filly"

would break him in 2!!! Need to find myself a housewife hunter/hack as desperate to get back into the saddle anyone know of an old plod needing a home???