Bitting ideas please... doesn't like poll pressure!

[KatB]

Mare bag is getting increasingly opinionated, and I am looking to change her bit for jumping, as I don't feel she is comfortable in the bit she is in currently.

At the moment she is in a Myler low barrel mullen D ringed bit with cheeks. This is basically a mullen mouth with tongue room, and a small amount of leverage on the cheeks. She has been going sweetly in this, but has recently started to jump out of my hand in it, and will lean and get heavy on it. No end of half halts, transitions etc will lighten her up, as she just opens her mouth and leans. I am going to try a mexican grackle on her (she won't tolerate a flash) but would rather not slam her mouth shut, as I think it's her way of telling me she isn't happy!

She loves her Happy mouth straight bar loose ring, but is VERY strong in it jumping, so it's a no go for outside jumping! She has also been ridden in an eggbutt KK, but sits slightly behind that most of the time, and so doesn't get strong, but won't take the bit forward. I've tried a cartwheel nathe gag with 2 reins, but she wasn't keen on the poll pressure!

Has anyone had any luck with a nathe kimblewick/Pelham for this kind of horse?! She is a bit fussy in her head anyway, so the less movement the better!

Thanks

 

[ihatework]

Before I got to the end of your post I was already thinking kimblewick. An under-utilised and very good bit IMO

 

[icestationzebra]

Why not try a tom thumb with the rein on the top ring and a curb strap? You could always flip it over if still rude - or drop the rein down and try a prolite poll guard?

 

[Kat]

I was thinking kimblewick too.....

Horse I have ridden went like a dream when tried in one, much better than his myler, which like you mare he leaned on (I find this quite common with mylers......), he also objects to poll pressure.

 

[flyingfeet]

Kimblewick - but to start with don't use the slots if you get uxeter cheeks, as that's poll pressure (albeit not that much)

 

[kez1001]

going against the grain here and thinking waterford? Had great success with one of these with my mare, they cant lean on it and i find it quite forgiving, my mare would pull up abruptly in a dr bristol, hated a dutch gag or drop snaffle. She really resented the poll pressure. I used the waterford with a grackle xc for a couple of events when she was a tad full of herself!


good luck