Bitting advice needed please

[VickyH]

Hi, I have a 13 year old 15.2 Irish Draught mare, her previous owners had her in a gag with one rein on the bottom ring but as I have only just found this out I had her in a full cheek french link. We ride western and compete at rodeos, I have only had her about 3 months and on our first outing she was very good but very strong especially in canter. She is also very strong on a hack in canter. Even though we ride in western tack she is not western trained, I am hoping to teach her to ride with no contact eventually and she is picking up the neck reining very well. I tried her in gag as she had been in one before but she hated it and so did I to be honest! We have tried a waterford snaffle as she also leans on the bit sometimes and did some schooling - the leaning I can deal with as it is partly my problem it seems, but we really need a bit that helps with our brakes. I've been advised by so many people and each one suggests something different! So far I've been advised to try a waterford gag, a pelham, a hanging cheek waterford and a Dr Bristol!! I'm now thoroughly confused!! I don't want to over bit her but really need to be able to stop her at a show!

 

[hellybelly6]

I would do some schooling with her and have her teeth and saddle checked before embarking on a new bit.

When she leans on the bit, does she lean on the forehand with her head down?

My horse does this and now goes very well in a trans-lozenge Universal bit from NS.

 

[teddyt]

If i were you i would have a lesson with an experienced person that you trust. Look at the horses mouth conformation and get your helper to suggest a bit to start with based on conformation and how the horse goes. You then need to try it for a few weeks to see if it is ok, the horse needs to learn a different action and a bit change is not a miracle quick fix.

Ditto HPL and make sure saddle and teeth are ok too.

Of more concern to me is that you are riding her western and competing western yet she is not trained western. So please expect there to be a few issues whilst you are training her because she wont understand your signals. It also sounds like she is on her forehand, hence she gets strong in canter and leans on the bit. This is just because she is not engaging her hindquarters, which takes time and training.

 

[VickyH]

We have competed at 1 rodeo so far for the experiece but only entered the novice classes, I'm not expecting her to go out and perform as a western horse but as it happens we won the novice western pleasure first time out! I wouldn't say she rides on the forehand as she does work well from behind but as I say a lot of the leaning issues are my fault not hers and now I know that and have altered how I ride her the leaning is much improved. Her saddle has only just been fitted to her and her teeth were checked fairly recently too.
I'm not expecting a miracle cure in a bit and am well aware that schooling is essential but I want to be sure I'm using the right bit fo rher as well as me if that makes sense??? it's no good me being able to stop her if I'm either having to haul on her mouth to stop her eventually or hurt her mouth to pull her up instantly.

 

[VickyH]

sorry, didn't explain the western thing too well! When I say I am riding her western I mean that I am riding her in western tack. I'm not just using western aids and expecting her to understand but she is slowly picking it up, the last thing I want to do is confuse her as she is such a genuine honest mare and I love her to bits - she just gets so bloomin strong!