Bitting advice wanted for 14hh hunting pony

[Gin&Ginger]

As above, what bit would you suggest for a 14hh pony with no brakes who is hunted by a young teenager?

He is a cob x so can get very strong. Has been tried in a waterford and dutch gag to no avail!

Any advice appreciated!

 

[VoR]

Use search and 'bitting advice', this is a well trodden path

Good luck

 

[Polotash]

Vulcanite pelham with two reins - if the child can cope with two reins. I find this works well for strong little cobs.

 

[Gin&Ginger]

Vulcanite pelham with two reins - if the child can cope with two reins. I find this works well for strong little cobs.

With a pelham do you cross the reins as you do when using a weymouth?

 

[TwoPair]

If child can cope with two reins I would say a double as this was my horses saving grace. He was sold out of the hunting field as too strong - in a sliding argentinian pelham polo gag, a kineton, and a grackle. He was mastering the VWH under a 14st chap. I bought him to event, and he' s been lovely in a waterford snaffle for SJ and tom thumb for xc. I braved hunting him and took him in a double and he was so mannerly. I think two bits shocks them a bit. I would also say it depends entirely on how he behaves - does his head go up, or down? If his head goes down what about a cheltenham gag?

 

[TwoPair]

And in answer to your reins question, yes. Well. I always have

 

[Gin&Ginger]

If child can cope with two reins I would say a double as this was my horses saving grace. He was sold out of the hunting field as too strong - in a sliding argentinian pelham polo gag, a kineton, and a grackle. He was mastering the VWH under a 14st chap. I bought him to event, and he' s been lovely in a waterford snaffle for SJ and tom thumb for xc. I braved hunting him and took him in a double and he was so mannerly. I think two bits shocks them a bit. I would also say it depends entirely on how he behaves - does his head go up, or down? If his head goes down what about a cheltenham gag?

Thanks for that. His head goes down and he sets his jaw and goes. We have tried a flash and grackle but I don't think the problem is due to him opening his mouth to evade contact.

Do you think using a weymouth and bradoon is harsher then the pelham with two reins?

 

[LCH611]

How about an american gag?

 

[arizonahoney]

Kineton and bridged reins?

 

[TwoPair]

If his head goes DOWN I wouldn't use an American gag (it doesn't really fit the 'true' definition of a gag, which is that the mouthpiece is lifted UP in the mouth causing the head to lift)

A Cheltenham gag with a grackle might work (I don't really like flashes) or a Balding (slightly harsher)

 

[CrazyMare]

I have my strong pony, who goes slightly head down if the mood takes her, in a NS pelham with two reins for hunting, with a cavason noseband. I take her XC in a NS Cheltenham gag with a drop noseband.

I find I have more 'head up' in the gag, but less on the button brakes.

 

[JenHunt]

I would second the double bridle! Ron goes beautifully in a double and is a complete nightmare in anything else. Once he's had 10 days or so he settles down enough to put a snaffle in, and is strong but not unmanageable in that for the rest of the season. Hopefully you;ll be able to get enough hours under the pony's belt to make it easier!

also, consider hacking further to meets to help settle pony, and also making sure it's well worked the day before and not over-fed. Ron hunts of fibre only (haylage, speedibeet and alfa oil. he's 18 this year and looks great!)

 

[Gin&Ginger]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Does anyone have any opinions on using roundings instead of two reins? Is the action the same?

 

[Mariposa]

I haven't hunted for ages, but my old 14.2hh used to pull like a train out hunting. After trying lots of bits I finally wagoned him with some polo gear - a barry gag and a grakle noseband. It stopped him cocking his jaw, putting his head down and charging off.

I used to event him and doing everything else in a snaffle, but when it came to hunting he just used to stop listening to me!

 

[TwoPair]

If you're putting roundings on a pelham, try a kimblewick first.

 

[CrazyMare]

I find mine just runs through the bit with roundings on the pelham, but shes a lady with two reins.

 

[abbijay]

Personally I don't like roundings on the pelham although i do use them occasionally for XC - too much knitting for any drop fences - but he is nowhere near as strong when alone. My reason for liking a pelham is that I have a nice soft contact on the snaffle rein when he's being well behaved and invoke the curb action when it's needed (I tend to do this by lifting the hand rather than pulling back). With roundings on both actions are in full contact at all times and you can't choose how much of each you use.

 

[L&M]

I also hunt a strong cob and after a lot of experimenting found that a pelham with roundings works just fine! I have small hands and find 2 reins and a hunting crop too much too hold - no excuse really, but the combination works well for me.

Brakes out hunting are crucial, so whatever works go for it, even if the book says different in my opinion!