Bitting Help

Hattikins

Hattikins

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Hattie is currently in a happy mouth double jointed 2ring (3ring) gag, its obvious now it is not the right bit for her as her head gets very low when we got XC and this gag is supposed to bring their head down - so...........i need to rethink her bitting.

She is not strong at all but she is a big horse to hold together and i need a bit with leverage so i can bring her back togther quickly after and gallop before a fence (if you see what i mean) she has a very soft, sensitive mouth so whatever the bit is it has to be double jointed.

I was thinking about either a tomthumb bit (which we have) or a neue schule cheltenham gag (with lozenge) as with a cheltenham gag i can be very light with it and only apply poll pressure when she becomes strong? so which should i try first? will the tom thumb lift her head? i know the cheltenham gag would but would it be better to try the tom thumb first?

thank you in advance
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Sorry to hi-jack your post but I just came on forum to find advice for the same problem.
I ride my mare in a hangnig cheek french link day to day in confined areas, a pelham out hacking/showing and these suit her. But.... for XC I would like a single rein so am looking for a new bit.
The problem XC is she goes so fast between fences it is hard work to bring her back for the jumps. I was considering the Neue Schule Tranz Angled Lozenge Universal but I have just read you should use it with 2 reins one for lowering the head when required and another for lifting it. I just read the same for the Cheltenham Gag.
The other bit I was considering trying was a kimblewick. Have you tried one of these?
 
maybe a lozenge tom thumb ?? you can use it with a single rein on the lower shank, it helps keep my lads strong necked head up and brings him together. if it is to sharp you can use roundings on the snaffle aswell as the lower shank, it is a very neat bit and the mouth piece is quite mild.
 
Brilliant G_W that's just what i wanted to hear
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i wasnt sure what action it had but i know we have one which will fit her, its double jointed, sweet iron with 3 copper roller rings in the middle - fingers crossed it'll work, id prefer to put her in that first before trying her in a cheltenham
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Another Tom Thumb fan, worked a treat on my big mw TB who would have a habit of going with his head a bit low and I needed to be able to hold him together more and get a reaction when I gave a rein aid. Only got to use it once on him but had the best xc ride he ever gave me.
 
Fantastic! Thanks KatB and MrsT
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Im going to try her in it today, i rode her in it quite a bit on the flat at the beginning of the year because Mum thought i wouldnt have enough control XC in a happy mouth, as it happened i did at the beginning of the year so i havent used it since! But now i very def need to rethink her bitting - glad the general concensus is to go for the tom thumb
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