Bitting help

[BethanT]

Hoping some of you hunting guys can give me some ideas

I took my pony out cubbing today, he is normally ridden in a full cheek snaffle and he is fine in this riding normally, hacking schooling etc - although he is not safe to hunt in this. He is a stocky type (welsh cross quantock) and so pulls with his whole body and neck. I was thinking of trying him in a vaulcanite pelham as im sure he wont like the poll pressure from a gag or similar bit due to him being senstive there (he had a hard life before he came to me). However a friend of mine said that this wouldnt be good idea as prospective buyers wont like it, (14.1hh so would be a kids pony)

Just wondered on what other people thought on the matter or if they had any suggestions???

Thanks in advance.

 

[BethanT]

Any suggestions at all?

 

[JenHunt]

tbh I would try the pelham - I always hunted my 13.2hh in a pelham and nobody batted an eyelid. It has to work, and the horse has to accept it, that's the only criteria you should worry about!!

you'd be better off taking a light touch on a stronger bit, than hauling on a snaffle!

you will probably find the vulcanite pelham to be too thick for his mouth - welshies, and ID and most native types don't have much room in their mouths - and there's as much poll pressure from a pelham as from a gag on the second ring!

try a dr-bristol, or a kimblewick if you think he's not keen on poll pressure. Alternatively if he's really setting his neck then a baucher, but it is a very strong bit.

 

[BethanT]

I just googled a baucher bit and came up as a hanging cheek snaffle, is this right? Would you suggest a regular pelham then as opposed to the vaulcanite? A livery has suggested a waterford, do you think it would be worth trying? I do have one so wouldnt be difficult to try him with. Thanks for the suggestion though JenHunt

 

[JenHunt]

sorry, meant waterford not baucher!... brain was clearly not engaged when I wrote my reply!

a regular pelham might be worth a try, but only if you think he'll cope with the poll pressure!

 

[Sunshine8]

What noseband do you have on with your snaffle, as I have found with well built natives that set their neck, it is because they are opening their mouth and then setting against the bit. If you have not already put a flash on then perhaps try that first.
Also from personal experience the nutcracker action for an eggbut causes them to set their jaw more too.
I have a VERY strong well muscled Welsh that was unstoppable in an eggbut, resisted a pelham (including head shaking). I hunted in a loose ring french link with a flash and that's what she was happiest in.

 

[BethanT]

He is ridden in a regular noseband and no flash with a full cheek french link snaffle. May try the waterford as already have one of those. Will be diffcult to try as shes such a soft mouthed boy all the time other than hunting and dont want to ruin his mouth by trying bits if he doesnt need them. I waa thinking a pelham with two reings so that he can have the soft contact when behaving but the stronger bit when he wants to go.

Thanks for the replies

 

[laurapru]

Hiya,
I too have a irish cob who is normally so well behaved in his snaffle but out hunting he was a pain and I had no brakes to stop him from pulling thru the centre of everyone! Anyway put him in a mullen mouth straight bar pelham today and I have to say he was at least 80% better! I rode with two reins so could pull on the curb rein when he was being too bolshy. He actually went better in the pelham then he did in his snaffle! People do seem to get their knickers in a twist about horses being in a snaffle but I think it has to be what the horse is happier with and if a little nudge from a stronger bit rather than the constant drag of a snaffle then so be it.........best of luck

 

[chestnut cob]

I wouldn't worry about prospective buyers being put off - most horses end up hunting in a stronger bit than their every day bit. My big horse does everything in a French link with a drop or cavesson noseband but hunts in a waterford gag with either a flash or a grackle because otherwise I'd be in the next county before he stopped. I'd rather have a stronger bit and be safe than end up with a horse getting a name for being difficult/ dangerous.

Try the pelham but I agree it might be too thick for him. I've been cubbing my Connie x in a Dr Bristol (goes in FL or Happy Mouth normally) with good results so maybe worth trying that too. Although it shouldn't work, I do also hunt the big horse in a pelham with a French link mouthpiece, and two reins, sometimes.

 

[hunteress]

I would try a neu shule universal waterford but you will need a 1/2 inch bigger than your usual bit as they have to come round the side of the mouth to work good luck let us know how you get on.

 

[BethanT]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I think I will try the straigh bar pelham with two reins first as I think this will be work better given his nature, it at least then means I can reward his good behaviour with the softer rein!

 

[JenHunt]

I wouldn't worry about prospective buyers being put off - most horses end up hunting in a stronger bit than their every day bit. My big horse does everything in a French link with a drop or cavesson noseband but hunts in a waterford gag with either a flash or a grackle because otherwise I'd be in the next county before he stopped. I'd rather have a stronger bit and be safe than end up with a horse getting a name for being difficult/ dangerous.

this! ^^

Ron does everything in a myler 04 snaffle, with a flash noseband. Except for the first 10-12 days hunting of the season when he's in a double bridle and I still have no arms left at the end of the day! Once he's back in the swing of it we return to the snaffle and get on much much better!

 

[BethanT]

Thought would give you all a bit of an update. Tried him in a jointed Pelham with two reins and was fab!!! Not strong at all as after the first use he knew it was there. Bit keen in setting off from the meet up the road but was much more relaxed and had so much fun!! Thanks guys for all your advice!!

 

[JenHunt]

I'm so glad you solved it and have had a good time too!