Bitting, am I being silly? WWYD?

[Starbucks]

I have an amazing hunter who is the best of the best of jumpers - He really jumps any country with a foot to spare, he never touches a wall or brushes through a hedge and I've never felt so safe on a horse.

HOWEVER! He is super strong!! He is very much into his galloping and I ride him in a snaffle, not scary but hard work!!

Stupid girl, you might think? But He is quite sensitive in his mouth and I'm paranoid about making him less confident in his jumping when we have to jump quite serious stuff..

WWYD?

 

[Moomin1]

I have an amazing hunter who is the best of the best of jumpers - He really jumps any country with a foot to spare, he never touches a wall or brushes through a hedge and I've never felt so safe on a horse.

HOWEVER! He is super strong!! He is very much into his galloping and I ride him in a snaffle, not scary but hard work!!

Stupid girl, you might think? But He is quite sensitive in his mouth and I'm paranoid about making him less confident in his jumping when we have to jump quite serious stuff..

WWYD?

I am not sure you will make him less confident if you put another bit in - unless of course it's completely unsuitable!! I would perhaps try something with a little poll pressure - a hanging cheek snaffle perhaps? Same mouthpiece but with that added little poll pressure.

 

[arizonahoney]

Ummmm, Moomin? Hanging cheek does not have poll pressure. Common misconception!

 

[Moomin1]

Ummmm, Moomin? Hanging cheek does not have poll pressure. Common misconception!

It does have a small amount of poll pressure - it works exactly the same way a pelham would with just the top rein - very small amount, but still poll pressure. Of course, if OP wants more, a pelham would be better!

 

[JenHunt]

Tbh I think it's more worth OP trying different mouth pieces, a French link or even Dr Bristol might be more appropriate for this horse if he's sensitive or fussy in the mouth.

 

[Goldenstar]

It does have a small amount of poll pressure - it works exactly the same way a pelham would with just the top rein - very small amount, but still poll pressure. Of course, if OP wants more, a pelham would be better!

No poll pressure in a hanging cheek snaffle it raises the mouth piece in the mouth making them good for horses who dislike tongue pressure .

 

[Goldenstar]

Tbh I think it's more worth OP trying different mouth pieces, a French link or even Dr Bristol might be more appropriate for this horse if he's sensitive or fussy in the mouth.

That's where I would go first, then a snaffle with little copper rollers.

 

[AmyMay]

I'd put a stronger bit in - especially as you say he has a sensitive mouth. All that pulling and holding won't be doing it any good at all.

Agree about the advice about a Dr Bristol.

 

[Moomin1]

No poll pressure in a hanging cheek snaffle it raises the mouth piece in the mouth making them good for horses who dislike tongue pressure .

http://www.nsbits.com/index.php/dressage-legal/ranz-angled-lozenge-baucher2.html



http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/...ek_Snaffle_korsteel_pinchless_bits-(421).aspx

http://www.bitworld.co.uk/ourshop/cat_246568-Hanging-Cheeks.html

http://www.totally-tack.co.uk/acatalog/neue_schule_hanging_cheek_tranz_angled_lozenge_baucher.html

 

[arizonahoney]

I am won over by your arguments, which are plainly irrefutable.

If the OP wants something with poll pressure, I wouldn't fart around with a hanging cheek for hunting.

OP, is your horse head-up or head-down strong?

 

[Luci07]

You need to play around in the school with different bts. You just don't know what your horse will like! I would maybe try small increments like Dr Bristol, then something like a Waterford but its hard to know. My incredibly strong mare was very fussy but was awful in a Pelham as went behind the bridle, yet it had been previously the only thing that worked on my old horse. Oddly enough she ended up in a Dutch gag which I had thought was overkill but worked for her!.

 

[Moomin1]

I am won over by your arguments, which are plainly irrefutable.

If the OP wants something with poll pressure, I wouldn't fart around with a hanging cheek for hunting.

OP, is your horse head-up or head-down strong?

Calm down dear, no offence intended!!

OP said she didn't want to go too harsh as her horse is quite sensitive -my suggestion would be that perhaps she does 'fart' about with less severe and lighter pressure bits first, and increase as the need may be.

 

[laurapru]

OP I was in a similar position I thought a hanging cheek french link would be fine for my boy out hunting as we were always fine jumping/fun rides! Anyway I ride him in a mullen mouth Pelham with two reins. it is not as fiddly as i first thought i only need to pull on the curb rein and really just ride on the snaffle. Its one to try at least....best of luck finding something

 

[Moomin1]

OP I was in a similar position I thought a hanging cheek french link would be fine for my boy out hunting as we were always fine jumping/fun rides! Anyway I ride him in a mullen mouth Pelham with two reins. it is not as fiddly as i first thought i only need to pull on the curb rein and really just ride on the snaffle. Its one to try at least....best of luck finding something

I used to ride my old pony in a mullen mouth pelham with double reins and it really wasn't that fiddly like you say, once you get used to it. I found it worked very well when he got too strong.

 

[LizzieJ]

Have you tried a kineton over his grackle?

 

[speedbird]

I was pulling and pulling out hunting. I changed to Cheltenham gag and it was great . I then changed to a Nelson gag which is similar to a Cheltenham gag but has a link in the middle , instead of a nut cracker action. It also has full metal cheeks like a fulmer snaffle so I have some steering as well. Saying that, a friend lent me a Pelham with a small port mouth piece with roundings. I did a one day event and was doing such a calm and collected xc round, that for the first time I got time faults! Lol
Unfortunatly it's trial and error as every horse is different. Hire a bit from the bit bank for a few weeks and see how you get on with different bits. Usually though, horsey friends have a large collection of bits to try !

 

[Starbucks]

Thanks guys, I've tried a variation of bits but don't feal they are quite right..

 

[irish_only]

I tried all sorts until got settled with cheltenham gag and two reins. Use the gag when he is pulling, but the snaffle rein for going in to a fence so I don't interfere.