Bitting advice?

[wellsat]

I need a bit that I can safely canter in open spaces with while I school Lil more about brakes.

She doesn't like dutch gags, we've tried her in a ported pelham and it works but its too strong. She goes overbent and falls behind the bit. I tried her in the pelham without the curb and it was better but she didn't feel happy in her mouth and kept running off with her mouth open. Nothing loose ring as she gets bit rubs.

Any ideas?

 

[teddyt]

Totally depends on her mouth conformation. just as you wouldnt buy a saddle without considering the horses back conformation you shouldnt ride in a bit without assessing the mouth conformation. Without knowing this its hard to give appropriate ideas.

 

[wellsat]

Thanks, I know this in principle but don't know what I should be looking for. I can tell you that she has a small mouth with a fleshy tongue so nothing vulcanite or happy mouth. She goes beautifully in her KK snaffle with a lozenge but that isn't strong enough for parties.

 

[Cliqmo]

It is quite difficult to advise on a bit without any pics (*hint hint*) as the way the horse carries itself (in particular when it is charging off) can make a big difference to the recommendation you would give... eg a horse that evades contact by carrying its head and overbent would require something entirely different to a horse that pokes its nose out and drops its head to tank offf....

Pics please

 

[wellsat]

It is quite difficult to advise on a bit without any pics (*hint hint*) as the way the horse carries itself (in particular when it is charging off) can make a big difference to the recommendation you would give... eg a horse that evades contact by carrying its head and overbent would require something entirely different to a horse that pokes its nose out and drops its head to tank offf....

Pics please

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...bal&view=global&subj=1393024190&id=1310157556

Gong to admit that I don't have a camera so photos of her are few and far between.

Her general method of evasion if you ride her in a snaffle is to stick her head in the air. The dutch gag was better but not great.

With the pelham she drops massively behind the contact and goes overbent. I can stop but she really doesn't like the bit so its not something I want to use on a regular basis.

 

[Cliqmo]

Aww she looks smashing! It may be worth changing your noseband first, probably to a grackle to see if that helps? Failing that you may find a kimblewick helps (they have a shorter shank so less severe than a pelham) and put a pad on the curb chain to reduce the pressure?

Best of luck x

 

[RSL]

What about a hanging cheek snaffle?