Bitting for strong horse

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sammy69

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My 17.2 has recently become very strong. He was being ridden in a flash with a loose ring snaffle (he has always beeen in this) so someone recommended trying a grackle. I have got a grackle on him now and he is twice as strong as before
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what bit would you recommend to use in conjunction with the grackle (as he does cross his jaw) i dont think he will like anything with a curb chain or a dutch gag as I tried my mares on him and he resisted something rotten

Thanks
 
Are you considering the shape of the mouth and ergonomic bits?

If you are battling on with single jointed bits (i.e. your regular snaffle), then you are crushing the tongue and poking him in the roof of the mouth.

Shutting his mouth tighter is not solving the problem

It is not acceptable to be hauling on the mouth with a snaffle, all you are doing is damaging the mouth. So many people say their "arms are sore", or their hands are sore and don't appear to care about the people horse's mouth???!
 
was he strong before changing nosebands? Is that why you changed to the grackle? What sort of work does he do? Is this for schooling, jumping or hacking?

Single jointed bits don't always work with a grackle as it can force the joint down onto the tongue or up onto the roof of the mouth - he will then be strong to avoid the discomfort. Maybe try a double jointed bit - french link/lozenge or similar?

I have the opposite problem - a horse which can't bear the cavesson or flash noseband passing over his teeth and cheek so will only wear a grackle - no dressage for him
frown.gif
 
Just changed my tank into a neue schule universal bit with the lozenge - MUCH better - left him in cavesson.
Was previous in Myler Correctional Ported snaffle with hooks that didnt do a bad job either
Waterfords are supposed to be good and would have tried that as he has a fat tongue so doesnt like single jointed bits xx
 
would agree with those saying try a lozenge bit with the original flash.
if he's still strong then maybe something like a universal/cartwheel or butterfly flip which gives a bit of leverage without being OTT.
 
I don't think you can beat a Myler, find a bit bank and try a variety as they are superb. I agree that cranking his mouth shut isn't the answer he's trying to tell you something the only way he can. Are his teeth up to date?
 
I would say Get His Teeth Checked first.

Horses norm change for a reason and as he wasnt strong befor. I think he is telling you something.

Maybe after getting teeth checked, get his back looked at. Don't be to harsh on him as a horse doesnt chance without reason.

It is surprising how much they change when there teeth are sharp! or tooth broken :)
 
[So many people say their "arms are sore", or their hands are sore and don't appear to care about the people horse's mouth???![/QUOTE]

I would say to that person who says arms are hurting,
Get off your horse, blind fold them, get them to hold the bit in with there hands and pull on the rains how they do. I will say, they will get VERY confussed and what will there reaction be? to fight againt it..........

so then release the rains and get them to walk and you stear them, get them to "run" then pull on rains....well there you have it. thats how there horse feels....

sorry im dont mean to go on
 
Check saddle and teeth, make sure the rider isnt pulling and i agree with others- use a double jointed bit.
 
I had similar problems with the big ginger guy, he came to me in a bog standard snaffle with a flash noseband, baring in mind I knew nothing of how he went prior to me starting to ride him, after getting use to each other I decided to try him in french link and found that I justed needed a cavason rather than the flash.

Sometimes (if it's safe to do so) its not always a case of looking for a stronger combination of bit/noseband, sometimes the more you try to control it, the more they will fight it, it may be that he's just not found something comfortable enough so his way of avoiding it, is to pull like a train. :D
 
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