Bitting Help!

[RayJaguarStorm]

bits confuse me so much... haha

one of my horses is a grade A showjumper who was importend from germany as a 5 year old. he hasnt jumped since and he is 11 this year. he is ridden in a loose ring snaffle for flatting but he is a big boy and has the potential to be strong. he can be strong out hacking. hes a 16.3 trakener

what bit should i use for jumping? i want something a bit stronger but not too strong... haha i was thinking a Neue Schule Tranz-Angled Lozengee Universal two ring gag?

Thanks x

 

[Wheels]

Well if he hasn't jumped for 6 years I think you have a great opportunity to educate him in his jumping and school him from scratch without needing to use a stronger bit. Take things slowly and do things properly and you may find that your snaffle will suffice

 

[RayJaguarStorm]

he used to jump 1.50 courses as a youngester, so he is well educated haha, he is too strong over poles and im worried he will just tank..., he can be a bit strong in his snaffle even just flatting and is uncontrolable out of a walk when hacking. i ride all my other horses in snaffles generally. i was just thinking it would be nice to have some control with him? haha

 

[Wheels]

Your horse jumped 1.50 classes as a 5 year old?
Doesn't sound right to me but If that's true then i'd definitely be reschooling, it probably un nerved him

 

[RayJaguarStorm]

he was pushed alot as a youngster, its part of the reason we decided to keep him but it doesnt seemed to have left any bad memories, he plays with the jumps when hes turned out with them and pops over things if hes in the area with them. i have done pole work with him and he loves it

 

[Shysmum]

haha

 

[bj666]

Get in touch with some bit banks and see what they suggest . Poll pressure and/or curb pressure will give you more help . But you dont want to loose your tongue pressure if he's not safe to do so . A single jointed snaffle pushes the joint downwards onto your horses tongue , so he will find it difficult to swallow , alot of horses object to this and thats when you start seeing this rushing , opening mouth , leaning etc etc its 'cos they are trying to move this thing thats holding their tongue down ( just try resting your finger on your tongue and see how long it takes before its all you think about , how do I swallow ?! Then if you cannot remove the thing holding your tongue down what do you do to shift it ... tip your head , shake your head , lift your head up , stretch your head and neck forwards and downwards ? ) . But you must confident that removing ALL tongue pressure is going to be safe . Any decent bit bank should ask you this question and take your reply into consideration .