Bitting advice?

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halcyyon

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So after a couple of months off due to an injury and then me having exams, I brought my horse back into proper work and he was very reluctant to go into an outline and i was constantly arguing with him, when he did go into a contact he was much heavier than he used to be, leaning on my hands. He'd been vet checked, back, teeth done and everything was fine so I figured he was just being stubborn :p

At the time he was in a french-link eggbutt snaffle, I changed him into a waterford and schooled him in that for 3 weeks and it really helped him become softer and rounder again :)

Now I have him in a loose-ring single jointed snaffle that I found lying around and he's going good but I would like him to become even softer and accept the bit earlier on in training sessions (it usually takes me a good 15-20 minutes of circle and lateral work to get him going on a consistent outline).

Anyway I'd like to find him a better bit because the mouthpiece on this one is a little too thick and I'd prefer a french-link than single joint as he seemed to prefer that.

I was thinking of trying a sweet-iron or copper french link or lozenge loose ring snaffle? :P
I wasn't sure at first whether to go with sweet-iron or copper because I've never had any experience with them but I found a sweet-iron with a copper lozenge. He has never been in a lozenge before but I think it would help him become softer and he does seem to prefer double jointed bits..

What do you think? Should I go with that bit or any other suggestions?
Would that bit be dressage legal? (I'm not too bothered if it isn't to be honest )
 
It sounds like you're relying on the bit to get him into an 'outline'. I know it's been done to death, but it's the schooling and work that will get him round, not the bit. Do LOADS of transitions on circles.
 
I do a lot of transitions and lateral work and he has actually improved a lot recently, he's so much more forward going now (he was very sluggish and dead to the leg previously been used for a riding school) :) Our yard has an international dressage judge come every month or so and I do get lessons with her and she is pleased with his improvement and told me to get another loose ring bit for him because this one is too thick and I just thought I'd try a lozenge or french link which are both milder than single jointed nutcracker effects..

I don't compete in dressage very often, usually just jump him but I do flatwork schooling for the most part.
 
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