BITTING HELP!!!

[bkeeble]

Hello,

Need to pick your brains, having trouble with bits have a really really strong TBxHanovarian 16.2, he is fine schooling (currently at Novice level), I have him in a french link without any problems. However he gets extremely strong SJ and X country we tried him in the dutch gag however he just takes a hold of the bit and buries his head and naffs off. I tried him last night in the pelham however he refused to even go into canter with this and was really fussing in his head. I'm not really sure where I go from here, I need something that will lift his head as he just buries it with everything. A friend suggested the waterford have you guys got any other ideas/comments on the waterford?

Thanks,

B
x

 

[flyingfeet]

You need a running gag to lift the head - despite the name continental gags are not true gags and don't lift the head.

If you can borronw a standard cheltenham gag off someone that would be useful. However I do disapprove of single jointed bits in all forms!

A Waterford bit might work, as it's fluid in the mouth and doesn't give something to lean on.

 

[RunToEarth]

Pelhams are funny things, my coloured loves his, but the bay thinks it is disgusting, took hold and leaned. Both opposed the dutch gag, as CSJ says, they are not a "proper" gag and tend to pull heads even further down.
I love riding Willow in a Cheltenham gag, he works well it is and its only as harsh as the hands it is in. I had a dutch gag with a waterford mouth, but the overall effect of the continental bit overplaced the mouthpiece, which he really liked. Try a cheltenham and see how he responds.

 

[bkeeble]

Great thanks will have a look into the Cheltenham gag I think you can hire them from shop4bits will have a look and maybe give that a go. He is actually really soft mouthed which is why I would rather something that I only have to touch rather than hanging on the reins.

 

[KatB]

I tried a cheltenham gag with two reins for my boy, and he stuck his head on the floor and f***** off!! The loose ring variety has a better lifting action...

 

[JessPickle]

What about a waterford dutch gag? then he cant grab it. Pickle is ridden in a loose ring waterford schooling and a waterford dutch gag hacking as he is very strong hacking, it really helped he also grabbed onto a normal dutch gag

 

[bkeeble]

Oh dear! have ordered a waterford loosering as they are quite cheap and will try that first. Trying to avoid the dutch gag waterford as trying to avoid the pole action that will make him bury his head. If not just had a look and you can hire the cheltenham gags from shop4bits so will do that as they have the same mouthpiece as my dressage bit so should not be too much of a change for him. Failing that going to give up on the jumping and take up just dressage ha ha!

 

[JessPickle]

Oh yeah and you can buy cheltenam waterford gags there a bit hard to find but they do exist

 

[flyingfeet]

I don't like loose rings on gags, but then I have horses with lots of skin round the lips that seem to easily get pinched

Forgot to add when I need brakes I use a Neue Schule Nelson gag on mine. It's a true running gag, but has the lozenge and the full cheeks help with steering and are anti-chaff.

 

[bkeeble]

Have just ordered the loose ring waterford snaffle for the time being not the gag version and will probably stick biscuits on it to stop the pinching. Will see how we go with that, if not will have a play with the cheltenham etc.

Thanks for the advice its really helped.

 

[kerrylou123]

hmm, maybe thats what i should try, a cheltenham gag

 

[cyearsley]

Neue Schule to a Universal bit that is basically a two ring gag with a lozenge and you can add curb strap if needed (it is always advertised in the back of h&H). I bought one and it is fantastic, bit more breaks than his normal KK ultra but not as severe as a gag and not single jointed. Costs about £50 but a lot cheaper than the KK version.

 

[texel]

Try a Wellep really good