Bitting help

[JessPickle]

Ok am in desperate need of bitting help, pickle is an absulute saint in the school and on the yard and is ridden in a loose ring waterford for schooling which he has always really liked. Out he is just strong, likes a nice race with other horses! currently riding him in Dr cooks bitless which I do have control in but I don't feel totally secure hacking in, so now ride in double reins with a bitless on the top rein and a waterford dutch gag on the bottom rein.

I have seriously run out of ideas, he leans on the bit then just makes a run for it no bucking/rearing/leaping just a HUGE 17hh horse using his strength against you. I have tried pelhams but they make him rear

which is very out of character

So ideas! Also he doesn't like straight mouth pieces!

confused?

 

[CastleMouse]

Just out of interest... Did you use two reins with the pelham or roundings? Some horses can get very p*ssed off if you use pelhams with roundings as there's quite a lot of curb pressure...

 

[JessPickle]

[ QUOTE ]
Just out of interest... Did you use two reins with the pelham or roundings? Some horses can get very p*ssed off if you use pelhams with roundings as there's quite a lot of curb pressure...

[/ QUOTE ]

Tried first with two reins then with roundings he reared with both! not big rears but warning I will get worse if you don't get off me and take this out my mouth!

 

[CastleMouse]

Ah right

Well I'm certainly no bitting expert, but I'd try various other gags if he tends to put his head down and bugger off? At least that's what it sounds like he's doing?

Have you tried this - http://www.shop4bits.com/item--Eldonian-by-Jeffries-Revolver-Ring-Dutch-Continental-Gag--BICR22.html ?

 

[shellonabeach]

How about a Kineton noseband? Just thinking it may have a similar effect to the bitless bridle and bit without the need for 2 sets of reins.

 

[CastleMouse]

Oh, and have you tried a grackle? Ali is VERY strong and I still have a decent amount of control with a grackle and single-jointed eggbutt

 

[suzysparkle]

I would go for a cheltenham gag. He'll struggle to lean on that and it has no curb action.

 

[kerilli]

i'd agree, i was going to suggest a cheltenham gag after reading your original post.
i'd put a neck strap on him all the time and teach him to halt from a walk from the voice and a tug on it, then ditto from trot etc, build the habit that he listens to and respects the voice and the tug on the neckstrap.
a waterford is pretty strong for schooling in, if he's fine in the school i'd put him in something much softer, so that he really notices the difference in the bit when he's out and about.

 

[toomanyhorses26]

I have juust put my 17.3hh in a german hackamore and it has worked wonders at the moment like having power steering and given my arms a bit of a break

Only thing is I have had to get my saddler to make me a new curb part as it is far too tight with the one it came with.

 

[JessPickle]

Well allthough he is easy in the school at canter he leans really badly without a waterford. Think I need to just trial a few things