Bitting experts

[Cruiseonamiro]

We've had my 16.2hh ISH for 6 or 7 months, and plan to BE and BSJA this winter. Atm he's in a full cheek french link, which he seems to go ok in. Trouble is, he gets a little fixed, so my instructor suggested a loose ring french link for dressage, but i feel like i need the full cheeks for jumping. He's not a strong horse xc but can be in the sj arena, probably just while he's finding his balance. He also dribbles a lot, so we thought about putting him in a sweet iron loose ring for dressage and a sweet iron waterford for the jumping? or is this just change for change's sake as so far he's been fine in the french link with cheeks? Idk. Advice please

 

[dianchi]

Id leave him in the full cheek fr jumping if there isnt a problem.
As for dressage if the full cheek is causing him to fix no harm in trying the loose ring.

 

[kerilli]

if he dribbles a lot, sweet iron will make him dribble more! umm, i'd try the loose ring for flatwork, see if it makes a difference. not sure about changing the bit for jumping... if he gets strong then i'd prob try a full-cheek waterford, he may only need it once or twice anyway.

 

[Dressagebabe]

Have you looked at the Myler loose ring comfort snaffle, they are dressage legal (some sweet irons are not!) the whole idea with the myler is that it rotates at the rings, bars & centre so you can angle the movement of the head/jaw at most angles to prevent the horse hanging on the bit in any way. It has a narrow barrel in the centre which again stops them holding onto it so is good for jumping also. Its not a severe bit but the horses realise they cant grab it and it tends to settle them really well especially if they can be a little fussy in the mouth. Just a thought!