bitting question and a weight question - sorry, it's gotten a bit long

[blood_magik]

I'll ask the bitting question first
I currently do flatwork in a pelham with a mullen mouthpiece and double reins, which obviously isn't dressage legal.
When I school in my D-ring french link snaffle he fights against a consistent contact and I find it difficult to maintain an outline and make him work through his back end. He also likes to lean

So, given that we are starting to wind down from jumping and focus on dressage, I think I need to change his bit.

I'm thinking of trying a loose-ring snaffle with a french link to stop him leaning on me and encourage him to take a consistent contact?
Then again, I'm thinking that he seems to work better in something with a bit of poll pressure. Im confused when it comes to the hanging cheek - does it put any pressure on the poll? I keep seeing conflicting posts on here

Now, onto the weight question.
Does he look like he needs to lose any more or is he just lacking a bit of muscle?

please excuse the overbending - this was him in march

this is him in may - the weight tape says he weighs 524kg

snack-a-jacks and diet coke on offer for any replies

 

[Hedwards]

I really rate hanging cheek bits, and they basically work the same was as if you are riding on the snaffle rein on a pelham. I used a hanging cheek on my old mare for dressage and a pelham for jumping. You can get them with a lozenge which i also really liked. I used a happy mouth one like the one in the below link (mainly because i found it in amongst my numerous other bits I'd forgotten i'd bought) and really liked it!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190506363936

Not very good when looking at photos and weight, however he definitely looks better than the first pic, very handsome - dont think i'd want any more weight on him, just more muscle like you say.

 

[blood_magik]

*bump*

 

[AbFab]

I'd have a go with a loose ring french link first. That's what I ride Saf in and she's a lot lighter in my hands now than when I rode her in a hanging cheek, mostly down to her not actually having much to lean on. I do like hanging cheeks though if there's enough power coming from behind.

 

[Sol]

There is no poll pressure with a hanging cheek - try it if you have one or it should work with a pelham tbh. Just pull on the top rein in the direction you would if carrying your hands. The bit pulls upwards slightly if anything, but the cheeks can't rotate because there is no shank. The cheekpieces should sag/bow away from the horses face, so obviously no pressure. If you try the curb rein in comparison (gently!) you'll see how the shank causes the bit to rotate and pull the cheek pieces down on the headpiece and thus the poll! HOWEVER, loads of horses love them regardless! Some for no apparent reason! You can only try?

 

[blood_magik]

well my instructor has, shall we say, 'banned' me from using my Pelham in her lessons
think the loose ring is looking favourable at the moment - now I just need to decide on which mouthpiece: Mullen or French link?