Bitting advice!

[kafkaf]

Hi everyone, I need some bitting advice... I have an ex-racehorse that I am doing British Dressage with....I currently ride him in a hanging snaffle which has been very effective in helping him break out of his racehorse style outline (high head carriage, nose poking out!) - however I did a test today and afterwards the judge suggested that he is getting too much poll pressure from this bit as he is starting to overbend. I recently tried him in a loose ring snaffle and he was awful in that, (back to racehorse outline!) - so I need to try something else. Has anyone got any bright ideas of what I could try? I need to find something BD legal.....

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Hey, Hope this helps.


I currently ride him in a hanging snaffle which has been very effective in helping him break out of his racehorse style outline (high head carriage, nose poking out!) - however I did a test today and afterwards the judge suggested that he is getting too much poll pressure from this bit as he is starting to overbend.

It sounds like the bit is making the outline not him going naturaling into it which is what the judge is on about.


I recently tried him in a loose ring snaffle and he was awful in that, (back to racehorse outline!) - so I need to try something else.What has helped my sisters ex-racer is lots of work on the lunge in side reins or the pessoa. With the pessoa have it on a lose seeting so he can still put his head up and down but the bit round the bum starts to tighten and when he finds the right posistion it will all losen. Also do some stretching exersises to help him develop his top line in the right way.

Our ex-racer goes nicely in a french link eggbutt snaffle, go to your local tack shop and ask advice on the different bits as they will help but i wouldn't put him in the single jointed one (having a blank moment) as they are quite harsh on the mouth. Maybe a sweet iron one or copper so he has something to mouthe and help soften.


I recently tried him in a loose ring snaffle and he was awful in that, (back to racehorse outline!) - so I need to try something else. Has anyone got any bright ideas of what I could try?

When riding make sure he is going forwards nice and evenly, don't worry about an outline straight away as that will only come when he is balanced and even. Maybe look at an local instructor that is familler with ex-racers could help, ours is brill and completely understands how ex-racers move and adjust lessons for him.


Hope this helps and good luck with your Ex-racer.

xxxx