Bitting advice needed please!

C

CastleMouse

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Ali is currently in a single jointed fulmer, EXCELLENT for steering, and the brakes are fine for flatwork, but for cross-country I'd like to use something slightly stronger, as once he does some faster work in an open space brakes are practically non-existent! I would really appreciate any advice or recommendations for bits, are there any stronger bits similar to the fulmer? Would a french link fulmer make much difference? Thank you
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How about a hanging cheek snaffle with a french link?? Will give you a bit of poll pressure, but you won't have the cheeks to help you turn.
 
I would say GIVE IT TIME! You have only had him 5 mins, how about learning to ride him and getting to know him. Presumably this bit is what he has always been ridden in, therefore there is a reason for it. Not having a go in the slightest, but Ali is a very different animal to Castle and so you are going to have to learn to use your seat, weight and legs as well as your hands to control him. I would really like you to give yourself a month or so before even contemplating changing something he has always gone well in...

(and now you tell me this isn't his usual bit
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Nelson gag with two reins (i prefer a lozenge to a single joint)

You get your full cheek snaffle on on rein and a gag action on the other. If you can manage the two reins its the perfect solution.
 
Have to agree with Weezy on this one. Give it time you've only just had him. Take things easy and build up what you want to do, there's no rush
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It will come together for you and Ali and in a snaffle too, so please don't rush out and put him in a harsher bit.
 
personally don't like any single jointed bits. Give it time, but it may be that you need some extra brakes for a while to give you the confidence to start to ride him properly.
If that is the case try a waterford mouthpiece.
 
Previous owner has also said he is very strong out cross-country, just want to be prepared more than anything
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I'd like to go cross-country schooling with him in a while and I'd rather have some brakes than nothing at all
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I might try out a Waterford or Dr. Bristol though, obviously I would prefer to have a snaffle for everything though
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[ QUOTE ]
Nelson gag with two reins (i prefer a lozenge to a single joint)

You get your full cheek snaffle on on rein and a gag action on the other. If you can manage the two reins its the perfect solution.

[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry but have to completely disagree, two reins is just making it more complicated, if you want two reins on a gag its for an outline, shouldn't be for control. If you want two reins use a double bridle, if you want more control with speed use a different bit (sorry shoot me down just my opinion)

CM Don't put him in a Dr Bristol straight away as i heard that this bit is for "the confirmed bolter"....he may be strong but he isn't really a "bolter" is he?
 
And I have to totally disagree with yourself! Putting a horse in a double because you want 2 reins
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If you want more control with speed use a different bit - errrrrrrrrrrr yes, thats what the OP is asking about and there is nothing wrong with using double reins, unless of course you cannot cope with them, in which case I would suggest you don't use them and get some instruction.

And since WHEN is using 2 reins with a gag purely for outline?!!!!! That really is rather funny! Using 2 reins with a gag is absolutely THE CORRECT WAY to use one.

And a Dr Bristol being a bit for "the confirmed bolter" - if your horse is a bolter then even barbed wire will not improve it. Nothing wrong with using a Dr Bristol - like all bits, the useage is in the hands of the rider.
 
The thing about the double bridle you took the way i didn't mean. About the Dr Bristol i read that in Horse and Rider magazine, hence why i put "I heard". I did put "shoot me down just my opinion" but tbh didn't mean that harshly! And you have said stuff like that to me before one of FMN's thread even though i said IMO that time.
 
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