Bitting advice please? Jekyll and Hyde horse!

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Charlie-Brown

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Hi all, hope you're all enjoying the bank hols so far.

So, I've had my boy since June and so far he's been a gem, entirely what I wanted! But when in 'exciting' situations - namely hound exercise and cantering through stubble fields with his buddies, he is showing a different side to his usually extremely laid back (lazy!) personality! Quite frankly, if he chooses to crank up the speed, I can't hold him! Obviously I would prefer to be in control if he does decide to whizz off a bit - he's currently in a plain loose ring snaffle with a single joint and cavesson noseband. Have kept flash off and nose band loose as he's a head shaker and this seems to help, although he does open his mouth at times.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to which bit to possibly try him in for the more exciting situations please? :)
 
It depends entirely what he does when he gets excited.

Does he put his head up or down?
Does he open his mouth or cross his jaw?
Does he lean on you or come behind the bit?

Only when you've figured out what you need to prevent him doing can you work out which bit should work.
 
Fabio has his personality transplant when he's cantering behind others, 6th gear then comes into play! If he's in front though he'll lollop along like normal! The only thing i can hold him in if we're behind others is a waterford as he can't take hold of it. He's a head down to tank horse though.
 
Thanks for the replies, and sorry, should've explained a little better. He tends to put his head down and plough on into my hands, and I have noticed he opens his mouth at times. It's so bizarre, like he is literally the quietest horse ever and this sudden strength just comes completely out of the blue! Really took me by surprise the first time as he doesn't even get 'excited'!!
 
Charlie-Brown said:
Thanks for the replies, and sorry, should've explained a little better. He tends to put his head down and plough on into my hands, and I have noticed he opens his mouth at times. It's so bizarre, like he is literally the quietest horse ever and this sudden strength just comes completely out of the blue! Really took me by surprise the first time as he doesn't even get 'excited'!!
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Thats what Fab does. The first time i put the waterford on him and he went to put his head down to tank off, he was completely bewildered as to why i had the upper hand over him! (i *may* have let out a little chortle too! :D) It only took a couple of times of using it and he stopped even trying to tank off. I sometimes wish he could be that enthusiastic to go on other occassions though!
 
FabioandFreddy said:
Thats what Fab does. The first time i put the waterford on him and he went to put his head down to tank off, he was completely bewildered as to why i had the upper hand over him! (i *may* have let out a little chortle too! :D) It only took a couple of times of using it and he stopped even trying to tank off. I sometimes wish he could be that enthusiastic to go on other occassions though!
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Agreed! Schooling Charlie is like doing 3 hours at the gym! I might try a waterford then, the only thing is don't you have to size them slightly bigger than a straight mouthpiece bit (ie normal snaffle etc) to allow for the way they lie in the horse's mouth?
 
You need a head raiser on a horse that puts its head down so no curb or poll pressure bits, including Pelhams, Kimblewicks and DUTCH gags.

True gags and snaffles are head raisers.

Waterford mouthpieces are useful for horses that lean so that is worth a try.

If he opens his mouth, then a flash or drop would be useful. They don't have to be tight - just being there is sometimes enough.

Good luck.
 
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