Bitting advice please

Nats_uk

Nats_uk

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Took my WB gelding hunting for 1st time yesterday in a jointed 3 ring gag (on the 1st ring down).

He was very good but every time I tried to stop or half halt him he just stuck his head down and leaned on my hands - pulling me forward and meaning I couldn't stop properly.

He has v. sensitive mouth and the corners of his mouth split easily which they did yesterday and one side bled slightly.

Can anyone recommend a bit I could try for next time? (am planning to go to a hunt with more jumps so need a bit more control!) A couple of people have suggested a rubber pelham or kimblewick but I don't know whether to get a straight bar or french link pelham and then will they hurt the corners of his mouth?
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Please help!!!!
 
I have got a waterford snaffle but I don't have the world's best brakes in that when I go xc so I was hesitant to use it hunting
 
what do you normally ride him in for XC etc?

I think my horse is stronger in a 3 ringed gag that a normal snaffle! I don't rate them much.
 
Def a waterford if he is leaning. You also need to think about what he is doing with his head - if he is lifting it you need something like a pelham to tuck his nose in, if he is dropping it, you need something with a lifting action (which by rights the dutch gag should have).

If he leans then a straight bar is no good - my boy leans so he does exciting things in a jointed pelham.

I highly recommend Heather's bitting helpline (number on the neue schule website) as she is fabulous, a mine of info and knows all the right questions to ask and will give you a few you could try. I am a cheapskate so I then bought the closest thing from my local tack shop rather than forking out neue schule prices!
 
He seems to dislike the poll pressure of the gag and uses it to his advantage by sticking his head down and pulling me forward.

He backs off a bit xc so last time I went I was fine in the snaffle but I do normally xc in the waterford snaffle.
 
Maybe try the waterford snaffle then? If you know he likes the waterford mouthpiece you could get something like a waterford pelham? Just check in the school that he is ok with the curb action.

I rate kimblewicks too, but have not used one for years!
 
Im having the exact same problem as Nat, Spider was doing exactly the same as Bane. And I had pretty much the same bit in but mine was a lozenge happy mouth.

Need something just a bit stronger then a snaffle but is sensitive in the mouth
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**Oh and just to let you know I have said we are aiming for 1st and have asked what the jumps/country are like**

Oh and one more thing is he pooping ok tonight?
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**Oh and just to let you know I have said we are aiming for 1st and have asked what the jumps/country are like**

Oh and one more thing is he pooping ok tonight?
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Did you ask Sarah? Let me know what she says. Yeah he is fine tonight - pooping in stable and was stuffing his face with his dinner when I left
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Don't think they are any more harsh than anything else? Certainly if they suit your horse they are great - my pony used to have one for jumping.

I am a big convert to pelhams at the moment - think they are fabulous, under-rated bits useful for all sorts!
 
Do you use roundings on yours T? Am tempted to try a waterford one on G horse as he was fab in a mullen mouth pelham but then learnt to lean....
 
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Do you use roundings on yours T? Am tempted to try a waterford one on G horse as he was fab in a mullen mouth pelham but then learnt to lean....

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Bloody hell yes! I have quite enough to do when jumping without having to sort knitting out too!
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I find a single jointed pelham quite enough to solve the leaning, which then gives me another thing to try should he get bolshy in this XC (has not happened, mainly coz the brush fences at Novice are big enough to back him off!!).

I'd try a single jointed one first, then go for the waterford - btw FWIW B hates single jointed bits normally, but loves this one - go figure!
 
Good
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Have been looking at Ingatestones website and thought maybe a french link rubber pelham or kimblewick. Or a wilkie snaffle (better for Spider then Bane this one I think) think Bane was a bit stronger
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The prob I have is he is SERIOUSLY strong and sticks his head on the floor, but ran away with me MORE in the cheltenham gag (hunting with 2 reins, eek!!) The more I put in his mouth, the more he pulls, but he seemed to favour the pelham action, just need to eliminate the leaning....
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Have a look here http://www.shop4bits.com/ they also do trials

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Yeah Mum was going to get one so the 30 day trial happened to be when we went hunting next. Not sure if I am more confused with all the advice now!lol! Might try a rubber/happy mouth french link pelham or kimblewick I think.
 
Me neither - Could just get one of those and I found some bit wrap on Robinsons, so would make it much softer them metal.

Cool for Sun, need to get mums wheelbarrow if you dont mind it in your car, and then thought we could go to Bas in my car (then I can get it cleaned!!!
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) Desparetely need a dress (cheap ish for my xmas party!! shoes and acessories can be bought at a later date, but so far im going naked!!
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Yeah - you can get the bit wrap in Ingatestone - I might do that, now do I get a kimblewick or pelham?!?!?!?

If you want to use my car then will need to go v.early Sun morning as my car has got to go to my uncles for the day. Could always get wheelbarrow, drop car at my uncles then go to Basildon in yours - can leave wheelbarrow in my car.
 
Pelham would give more lift I would have thought.

I will get whatever is the least harsh I think (will ask in there **someone over 13!**
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We can go as early as you want as will probably give mine a day off, trying to not work them so much now and will prob have a lesson Sat. Then will leave barrow in your car and go to Bas in mine
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Can you find someone in there that actually knows what they are talking about?!? (Those ppl don't normally work at weekends!
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Okay sounds like a plan for Sunday.
 
Well will try!!
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Yep - then have to try and find somewhere to store the wheelbarrow till dad can pick it up and hide in garage! Will hide it at end of hay barn I think
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