Bitting advise- waterford or wilkie

[bca13]

Hi all, I'm looking for advice between a few bits for my horse who just sets her jaw and goes when we are jumping. First of all, when on the flat/hacking, she goes beautifully in a loose ring with a french link with a plain hunter's cavesson. Its just the minute we go over a jump or start to gallop, she grabs hold and goes on her forehand and doesn't listen to me at all. We aren't looking to affiliate etc however it's taking the fun out of jumping. My instructor has given me a few options, a loose ring Waterford, a Wilkie with a lozenge, and he said possibly think about a grackle noseband. She is an absolute unit so there is no way I could hold her back once she goes. Some of you lovely people will have been through the same I'm sure so I'm wondering what your solutions were? Its becoming unsafe to jump as shes just galloping off like a hooligan, no fun for anyone!

 

[Lipglosspukka]

Why don't you try both?

 

[IrishMilo]

I hacked and XC my Connie in a Wilkie. I actually found it a touch too strong, but it did the job of teaching him he couldn't arse off.

 

[bca13]

Why don't you try both?

Is it bad that I didn't even think of this

 

[bca13]

I hacked and XC my Connie in a Wilkie. I actually found it a touch too strong, but it did the job of teaching him he couldn't arse off.

Yeah mines a connie X, they can flipping go if they want to!

 

[Annagain]

It's just a case of trial and error - both might be great or it might be a case that neither works. My old man was similar he did 90% of his work in a mullen mouth snaffle but when he did something exciting he just couldn't contain it and I needed something to keep us both safe. He'd set his neck rather than his jaw but the result would be the same. A waterford 3 ring gag with 2 reins was the only thing that worked for us. I could hold him in other things but he hated them and threw his head around. He was very happy in the waterford despite it being a bit that many think is too harsh. A pelham was the next best thing, fine if he was on his own but no good in company. That might be worth a try for you though.

 

[Snow Falcon]

I used to have my old boy in a waterford. When he decided it was time for "fun" he would grab the bit and pull. Colt hunting needed a tack change, flash, waterford and running martingale as the head would also be flung up before a charge! A waterford breaks the ability to lean or grab hold of one side.

 

[scruffyponies]

I'm not sure a lozenge wilkie would stop a grab-and-tank type. More inclined to try the waterford.

Alternatively we have had some recent success with a roller snaffle combined with trying very hard to ride from the seat more and not to get into a pulling contest with him.

 

[mini_b]

Pelham and a grackle?
Failing that a Waterford elevator.