Bitting advice needed please...

[Eliza120280]

I currently ride my ex-racer in a fulmer snaffle which is fine for schooling and hacking but when doing faster work such as hunting or cross country he gets really strong, sets his head low and pulls like a train! He then gets onto his forehand and is difficult to stop! I've been advised to try a cheltenham gag with two reins so I can ride from the snaffle rein but have the gag rein there when needed. Any opinions on this recommendation? Or any other suggestions? Thank you!

 

[flyingfeet]

Go for a gag with a lozenge mouth rather than a single joint!

However good advice for lifting the head and the two reins are definitely best

 

[dianchi]

Any gag will lift his head, and two reins will work wonders as the extra brakes are there just not all the time so it wont upset him! But you can stop when you want.

There are some bit banks now so you can try them out before you buy them, ebay is also a good idea for picking up cheap bits just watch out for quality!

 

[emelia]

Cotswold - why do you suggest that instead of a single joint? Just curious as my horse is the same and I bought a dutch gag with single joint and one with a lozenge. was gonna send the one with lozenge back as thought it wouldn't do as good a job???

 

[flyingfeet]

Here are pictorial example from Neue Schule on the difference between a lozenge and a single jointed mouthpeice:

A single joint is not ergonomic, that's not to say that some horses don't get on well with it and they are quirky beasts. However working on the basis of ergonomics the mouthpeice should not nutcracker or stab the roof of the mouth.