Bitting advice needed for a small pony ...

Fiona

Fiona

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My 6yo son and his 11.2 pony are a lovely combination... Jumping 50-60cm at present. Pony is normally ridden in a jointed hanging cheek snaffle and flash nose and, and isn't strong in the arena.

However I took them hunting a couple of weeks ago (children's meet, v low key, stayed at the back on our own etc) and pony although he jumped super, he was definitely the one choosing the direction and pace.

They had a couple of canters, albeit slow ones off in random directions, where child had no influence whatsoever.

Child will obviously get taller and stronger but in the meantime if we go again is there a different bit I could consider.

IMO he has good hands, they don't wiggle about and he gives over a jump.

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I meant to ask his instructor today and forgot, but I will do next time I see her.

Fiona
 
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We used a kimblewick on strong ponies ridden by tiny children but never had a pony as small as 11.2. The thinking was better a stronger bit than a small child hauling without effect on a snaffle.
This thread may be useful...with a few differing opinions.
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/foru...elp!-I-need-advice-on-a-bit-for-a-strong-pony
P.S. I do not profess to be an expert.
P.P.S Lovely pony and great jockey.
 
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Thanks Meredith 😁

I wonder should I go straight for a strong bit like a kimblewick or try something like a wilkie first?

I know a pony similar in build to ours that is ridden in a Waterford hanging cheek...

Fiona
 
A Wilkie is just a gag in the name of a snaffle. Horrible, horrible bits.

I would either try a waterford mouthpiece or a kimblewick. They are very under rated bits.
 
Sorry Fiona I have never used a Wilkie. I have used a Waterford on a 14.2 but the pony did not respond well to it.
Like all things with horses it is often a mixture of advice, gut instinct and trial and error that finds the best solution. I hope you can find one soon.
 
EKW said:
A Wilkie is just a gag in the name of a snaffle. Horrible, horrible bits.

I would either try a waterford mouthpiece or a kimblewick. They are very under rated bits.
Click to expand...

I had a strong Welsh cob as a teenager who was ridden in a kimblewick as a step down from a Pelham, so I know it does work on an opinionated pony.

Fiona
 
We had an 11.2 that hunted off lead. A kimblewick was too much, he hated it and it made him boil over. Depending where the slot is the curb is always on.
I have never known a pony not get on in a Pelham, with different mouth pieces and different curb chains, from leather to metal. With roundings or split reins and then when they get older they learn to ride with two.
The Wilkie, is a curb, which is constantly on. The only way for a pony to get away from it is to put its head further down, makes it even harder to stop. Next stop a buck.
 
For a small child, id try a butterfly or globe pelham, worked v well on a section a when my daughter was small but not strong enough to hold pickle back in the snaffle. Kimblewick was too much for pony.
I also fashioned up a market harborough for her to go hunting with as then he pulled on himself. She was 8-9 and coped fine once we sorted the brakes out. It might be worth you adapting one and staying with usual bit?

Hope you find something that works x
 
I’d probably try a Pelham with rounding, usually is enough and not too severe. A vulcanite one or similar.
You’re better off with a bit more control than not enough, tbh I’d rather the pony had a bit of a sore mouth than a scared child with broken limbs, not much fun over Christmas :p
 
you can get kimblewicks without slots-they are pretty mild as curbs go-I'd try that or a pelham with roundings and try different mouth pieces, rubber are usually a bit thick for native ponies imho.
 
What an odd thing to say, you'd rather the pony had a sore mouth?? That's not the attitude to have.

Two options: One is keep pony on a lead. Child is very small and its a lot to ask that pony out hunting is perfectly behaved- a lead rein from another horse would keep child safe and having fun.
Option two is try a stronger bit - but you need to try it at home etc first as you dont want to sour a good pony and make him stroppy by overbitting.
 
SusieT said:
What an odd thing to say, you'd rather the pony had a sore mouth?? That's not the attitude to have.

Two options: One is keep pony on a lead. Child is very small and its a lot to ask that pony out hunting is perfectly behaved- a lead rein from another horse would keep child safe and having fun.
Option two is try a stronger bit - but you need to try it at home etc first as you dont want to sour a good pony and make him stroppy by overbitting.
Click to expand...

Pony goes hunting infrequently. A pony with a sight sore mouth after one mornings hunt is hardly going to kill pony. Obviously it’s best if not sore. He has good hands and so is unlikely to jab but at a hunt anything happens.
But I’d rather child have more control than less. A Pelham is useful. I highly doubt a couple of mornings rides are going to sour the pony much. And yeah, I’d rather the pony was maybe a bit sore from a couple of jabs than a child scared and injured. Suppose it’s a realistic attitude to have rather than the idealist view.
 
No - its' not realistic over idealistic. It's advocating animal cruelty for our enjoyment. How on earth do you teach children to be good to their ponies if you think it is reasonable to give the pony a sore mouth.Why not go a step forward - it's lame but sure the child wants to ride- what does it matter if the pony is in pain for half an hour so long as there is 'fun' had? Why not put a bit of rope in there like the third world - after all the only thing that matters is that the animal is useful ? You are arguing an indefensible argument and one that has a very slippery slope.
(ps - I hunt - its up to parents to do as OP and identify the best way to manage the situation of often an excited pony and a herd of horses - until child can control pony reliably they should be on the lead)
 
Most children out hunting of small ponies are passengers, they rely on the good nature/herd instinct of the pony to stop and start. Ours would go like the clappers to keep up with the field, they would stop and switch off at the coverts. As far as we knew he had never hunted when we got him, but he liked to be with the others, perhaps if he was 15hands it would have been a problem but at 11.2, and most of it round belly with short legs, my daughter had a ball once she realised he would stop when the others did.
A child that weigh less than 5 stone, about 30kg is unlikely to cause any physical threat to a pony the could weigh over 300kg, in fact its only the good nature of the pony on a hunting field that keeps the child in one piece, that why a good hunting pony has a price beyond rubies.
I hate harsh bits but the reality is even with a strong bit most small children have not the physical strength to do any harm. Try the poke test. Get you index finger and poke some in their upper arm, hard. An adult will cause pain, even a bruise, done often enough the arm will get sore and red. Do the same with a child, the child has not the weight, muscular development or coordination to inflict any damage.
Unless the child enjoys it the only animal cruelty is to the child out hunting, believe me if the pony didn't want to be there it wouldn't, no parental pressure can make a good hunting pony.
Question by my daughter. ' Why are there no naughty horses out hunting?', 'because if they are naughty they never get taken again'.
 
honetpot said:
We had an 11.2 that hunted off lead. A kimblewick was too much, he hated it and it made him boil over. Depending where the slot is the curb is always on.
I have never known a pony not get on in a Pelham, with different mouth pieces and different curb chains, from leather to metal. With roundings or split reins and then when they get older they learn to ride with two.
The Wilkie, is a curb, which is constantly on. The only way for a pony to get away from it is to put its head further down, makes it even harder to stop. Next stop a buck.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the warning about the wilkie.. I'll rule that one out.

Fiona
 
We've no suitable lead horse at the moment susieT. Mine is a baby amd hubby isn't jumping at the moment. I'll test whatever bit(s) we pick at home first before we try it outside.

I know what only me means btw, I wouldn't risk child's confidence by letting him get run away with. Would rather wait another year if we can't find a suitable bit.

Fiona
 
honetpot said:
Most children out hunting of small ponies are passengers, they rely on the good nature/herd instinct of the pony to stop and start. Ours would go like the clappers to keep up with the field, they would stop and switch off at the coverts. As far as we knew he had never hunted when we got him, but he liked to be with the others, perhaps if he was 15hands it would have been a problem but at 11.2, and most of it round belly with short legs, my daughter had a ball once she realised he would stop when the others did.
A child that weigh less than 5 stone, about 30kg is unlikely to cause any physical threat to a pony the could weigh over 300kg, in fact its only the good nature of the pony on a hunting field that keeps the child in one piece, that why a good hunting pony has a price beyond rubies.
I hate harsh bits but the reality is even with a strong bit most small children have not the physical strength to do any harm. Try the poke test. Get you index finger and poke some in their upper arm, hard. An adult will cause pain, even a bruise, done often enough the arm will get sore and red. Do the same with a child, the child has not the weight, muscular development or coordination to inflict any damage.
Unless the child enjoys it the only animal cruelty is to the child out hunting, believe me if the pony didn't want to be there it wouldn't, no parental pressure can make a good hunting pony.
Question by my daughter. ' Why are there no naughty horses out hunting?', 'because if they are naughty they never get taken again'.
Click to expand...

Good point honeypot 😁

We know pony is a good hunter, first time I ever noticed him was at our children's meet, but he was ridden by an older child with longer legs, my LO hasn't got long legs. Next year hopefully 😉

Will try to borrow a small kimblewick or Pelham in the meantime to try...

Fiona
 
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