Bitting Advice please

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Fox07

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Hi, my horses back, teeth etc are all fine but he has developed this habit of throwing his head around when he wants to go faster. I have tried a running martingale and although it worked for a bit he is doing it again. He is currently ridden in a french link half cheek snaffle. I have tried flexi reins- to no avail. I have tried half halts but he tends to just ignore these and jogs too. Could a different bit stop him from doing this or is it something I should just put up with? He is a cob x arab and I have heard that many dont like the french link. He isnt well schooled and until I started riding him a few months ago he hadnt been ridden for at least 5years. Its only since he has got fit that this has become a problem. Any suggestions greatly appreciated!
Thanks
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I think you would need to go back to schooling esp transitions and some leg yiedling.

The cobs and arabs I have come across found the FL mouth piece very comfortable and did not like the single jointed bits.

I would also think that as he has not been ridden for 5 years and his schooling will be a bit rusty, he is also getting a bit fitter and cheekier!

See how you get on with schooling, it will take a few weeks before you know. Otherwise if his head goes up I would suggest a curb bit such as a kimblewick or pelham with a loose curb chain at first. If his head goes down, I would suggest a hanging cheek lozenge bit or a lozenge NS Universal bit.

Try the schooling first and see how you get on.
 
It's probably that he just needs more scholling and that he's throwing his head to evade the contact. The french link is generally a nice quiet bit for most horses but I do know some that really don't like it. My Arab utterly hate the french link or a lozenge joint, she would throw her head and jab on the bit when being ridden in it. After trial and error I found the myler was the most comfortable for her and still gave me some breaks.

I would try some schooling first and if that doesn't provide some improvement then maybe try a few different bits to see if it help.
 
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