Bitting advice - pinching & in front of the vertical

[SaffronWelshDragon]

Hi all,

Saf currently has a french link eggbutt snaffle, which she seems happy enough with. I've done the arm test where you put the mouthpiece across your arm and pull, and was surprised to find it pinched me! I'd quite like to change the bit for this reason (am I right in thinking a more curved mouthpiece will eliminate this?)

Also, I'd like to do more dressage next year (so must be dressage legal), and we really struggle to get on the bit. She takes up my contact and doesn't try to evade the bit, but she's quite a bit in front of the vertical. I was wondering if I try to improve the comfort of the bit she will become more submissive. She can also be a bit heavy on my hands, but I wouldn't say it's a problem as it's only occasional and more to do with her balance. Her tongue is on the large size, hence the french link to give her more room. Video example of her way of going below.

Any advice much appreciated!

https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10151081897571263

 

[cundlegreen]

Looking at the video, she is very stiff and not going forward into your hand. Is she an older pony? I also have a fat tongued mare that needs a dressage legal bit. The Mylers have two or three, I like the look of the full cheeked 02 Myler, http://www.horsebitbank.com/full-cheek-mullen-barrel-271.phtml then I could use that for jumping too. Good luck with the dressage.

 

[SaffronWelshDragon]

Thanks for your feedback, HHO is always a scary place to post a video lol! Yup she's 18, and only been properly schooled this year (we've previously just hacked and not done any schooling). To be honest she was fair tensed up because of the indoor, plus again this is new to her to was a bit stressed shouting at her friend who was outside. I've been working on getting her stretching out and walk and trot at home, which she is getting quite good at. She's quite quick to go off my leg, and seems to have a lot of forward momentum. Will check out those bits, thanks.

Any other comments?

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Swap to a loose ring French link if she's heavy in the hand. Getting her on the bit will come from schooling not from the bit. Unless you're pulling on her hard you're not going to hurt her mouth with the French link.

 

[SaffronWelshDragon]

Thanks for that, i did wonder about a loose ring. Forgot to mention, she often opens her mouth to evade the bit, but i'm not a fan of strapping her mouth shut, so wondered if theres a bit that may help, or schooling.