Bitting suggestions for fast work. Snaffle action and a bit extra

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Jesstickle

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BH has decided fast work is rather exciting. It isn't a problem, I've held stronger horses than him but.. I would like to nip it in the bud before it becomes a habit as I'm not as fit as I used to be and it wears me out! I am looking into decent rein/glove combos as well.

I want to use something with a snaffle rein plus a little bit extra. What would be your choice. I don't have much in stock ( I do nearly everything in a plain snaffle!), the only things I have in my cupboard are a single jointed happy mouth pelham and probably a lozenge dutch gag. I'm happy to buy something else but am unsure what to go for. He's ridden in a french link lose ring or a french link hanging cheek depending on how fussy he is being with his mouth at any given time.

My thoughts are either- french link pelham with two reins or french link three ring gag with two reins (+lip strap) so that the mouth piece is the same. My logic being then he won't instantly know what he's got in and I stand more chance of switching him back to his snaffle once he's learnt some manners?

Any thoughts or suggestions?
 
If you want a snaffle action (i.e . Head raiser) then your options are a snaffle or a true gag NOT a Dutch gag.

The bonus with a true snaffle is that you can have two reins so you have snaffle action and gag action.

Pelhams and Dutch gags are both head lowerers so it depends which action you want!!
 
I don't care where his head goes as long as he slows down! I want a quick 'oi come here you lout' so I can then go back to my snaffle rein and put my leg on and have him settle to his work or actually set up for my fences rather than him hurling himself at them from three strides out. Make any sense?
 
He is such a git.I think going xc out in front he'd be absolutely fine as he wouldn't know where he was going and he's a mummy's boy really. But in behind when we're hunting he is really strong and won't settle. I just want an extra tool in the box to let him know that his job is to wait his turn rather than try and get to the front. I think he wants to be the master's horse :)
 
You could sell him to the Master for a few bucks when Nitty is hunting ready, use the cash to buy a 4x4 and then you're off :p
 
Mines in a eggbutt normally, but needs a dutch gag to jump. Hunting was a different matter tho, just got very strong & like yours seemed to think she was the masters horse. I found the only way I could stay in control hunting was with a double. So I suppose you could try either of your bits really.
 
JFTD said:
You could sell him to the Master for a few bucks when Nitty is hunting ready, use the cash to buy a 4x4 and then you're off :p
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oddly enough that is pretty much the plan. I'll run him this summer, take him over to Leicestershire for some big hedges next season and sell him to someone who wants to hunt. He'd absolutely love it, he's as game as you like and is like a blimming duracell bunny! He's already been admired (apparently he's good looking for a hunter, I said he's an ugly ****!) and received nice comments. No accounting for taste is there!

He was a good chap really this weekend. Jumped his first ditches and trundled along happily enough. O, and jumped a five bar gate too. I think he'd genuinely love to go and do it twice a week and not have to do this dressage rubbish. Poor boy is mistreated!
 
littlelegs said:
Mines in a eggbutt normally, but needs a dutch gag to jump. Hunting was a different matter tho, just got very strong & like yours seemed to think she was the masters horse. I found the only way I could stay in control hunting was with a double. So I suppose you could try either of your bits really.
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I can hold him in his snaffle hunting, it just makes my hands hurt. Partly because I had useless gloves on that gave no grip and ended up going gloveless with my continental reins, cue many blisters. I think a change of reins/gloves will help a lot, I would just like to have something 'just in case'!
 
i would try him in the pelham that you have with two reins and see how you go. you can ride him on the snaffle rein until he starts getting strong, then apply the curb rein to get him listening and back together.

i ride in a pelham (mullen, happymouth type mouthpiece) mostly only need the snaffle rein, but i would have major issues without a curb! she forgets she is nearly 18...

if it works then i would maybe buy one with a french link mouthpiece seeing as thats what he seems to like.

x
 
Technique said:
How about a waterford snaffle? I have used these regularly where I needed a little more control. I also have a waterford pelham for moddy ultra clever ultra quick mare. :)
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I had thought about this too. I *think* I might have a waterford hanging cheek somewhere , it might be a bit small for him though. Grr. I do think it's definitely a possibility as he does tend to 'fix' and lean rather than really take hold and go. Hmmmm, decisions decisions!
 
Jesstickle- ouch for the reins. I could have stayed in control with a snaffle, it would have just dislocated my shoulders.
 
This probably makes me a very bad person, but if I'm hunting or hacking on something that is intent on towing me, I get off, tie both branches of the running martingale in a knot, and use the lever action afforded by a too-short martingale to get some brakes back.
 
RE the rein and glove combo...

I have used synthetic core rubber grip reins with synthetic gloves (the grippy fake leather kind) that works fine to begin with, only after a few weeks the gloves die and the reins become slippy after a few months. :(

I am going to try plaited reins and leather gloves... eventually. :p
 
Just a suggestion if he is happy in his mouth - have you thought about changing the noseband?

I can't hold one side of my mare if I go XC in her SJ gear which is a waterford and cavesson noseband. She won't tolerate any poll or gag action on a bit so I use a kineton noseband with her waterford for fast work and it gives me just enough influence when I need it but without upsetting her way of going.
 
I can pop my jumping bit in on my way past then you can try it if you want its one of these
http://www.shiresequestrian.co.uk/shop/product.php?productid=808&cat=572&page=4

He was taking hold when he got nervous and then putting him self in a dodgey spot, it just stoped him from fixing against me and running on. I think mine was only about 12 pounds from ingatestone so I can pick you one up if it works.
 
jesstickle said:
I had thought about this too. I *think* I might have a waterford hanging cheek somewhere , it might be a bit small for him though. Grr. I do think it's definitely a possibility as he does tend to 'fix' and lean rather than really take hold and go. Hmmmm, decisions decisions!
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I have one, that was Star's so it could well fit him, if you want to try it? :)

So sorry I didn't make it over to see you in action yesterday :( :o
 
dafthoss said:
I can pop my jumping bit in on my way past then you can try it if you want its one of these
http://www.shiresequestrian.co.uk/shop/product.php?productid=808&cat=572&page=4

He was taking hold when he got nervous and then putting him self in a dodgey spot, it just stoped him from fixing against me and running on. I think mine was only about 12 pounds from ingatestone so I can pick you one up if it works.
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What are you, a freelance bit bank?! :D I didn't use your weymouth on sunday as I didn't go showing... I did hack him in it on Sat though and he was lovely :D
 
ive been using a dutch gag with 2 reins on mine as she was taking off with me and i was running out of track and heading for the road, so decided it was too scary in just a snaffle and this works very well, i only use the bottom rein as emergency brakes and at least i know i can stop before the road.....
 
i would put every bit you have in his mouth, plus a standing and running martingale, some draw reins, oh and spurs in case he won't move at all and you'll be sorted:D:D
 
puppy, don't be silly. It was horrible and foggy anyway, you wouldn't have seen anything anyway.

dh, thank you. That's very kind. although he is actually rather lame tonight :eek: so not sure I'll have much call for it.

Hopefully when he isn't staggering around I can call in all these offers of loans. I am really hoping he is just being a bit of a queen and has only tweaked something :(
 
JFTD said:
What are you, a freelance bit bank?! :D I didn't use your weymouth on sunday as I didn't go showing... I did hack him in it on Sat though and he was lovely :D
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Ha nope just got a few that I have tried with the yellow pony most of them are ebay bargins :D. The one above wasnt but it was the only roller one that wasnt single jointed so seemed like a good step down from the gag with double reins and it worked :D

ETA Just seen your post hope he is just being a pansy and is feeling full of beans for sunday
 
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I've tried many bits for my "strong out out hunting horse". He now goes in a plain snaffle (although actually a bradoon so a thin mouthpiece) and a martingale with knots in. He has a high head carriage when he's buggering off, and this prevents him getting up there. He always used to "run through the bridle" in anything stronger and panic, no moatter how little contact I picked up.

With this he will take check, but isn't worried about still going forward into it.

My favourite reins for cross country and hunting are the carol mailer bridging reins (without the bridging bit!) They're basically rubber reins but with leather notches so they can't pull the reins through your fingers. Very handy. I just wear synthetic gloves with them, the cheap woof wear ones- they've lasted at least two years as well being used most days.
 
GinaGeo said:
I've tried many bits for my "strong out out hunting horse". He now goes in a plain snaffle (although actually a bradoon so a thin mouthpiece) and a martingale with knots in.
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Phew! I thought it was me who used the knotting technique!
I like it because you can take a pull, sit them back on their hocks, and then let them go forward into the fence. If I time it right, I can take a pull, grab the mane, shut my eyes and start squealing like a girl before the horse takes off!
 
If you are planning to sell him in a few years it might be worth starting by trying a bit that dosn't require double reins as whilst most people wouldn't bat an eyelid at using a stronger bit for hunting, a lot won't want to use double rein which might limit your market. You don't want to put off people that admire him out hunting :)
 
jesstickle said:
I had thought about this too. I *think* I might have a waterford hanging cheek somewhere , it might be a bit small for him though. Grr. I do think it's definitely a possibility as he does tend to 'fix' and lean rather than really take hold and go. Hmmmm, decisions decisions!
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It's an old fashioned one but I recently had a breakthrough with a leaner by using a magennis (and rubber reins) where a 3 ring with double reins had failed. I wasn't happy going on to a waterford and didn't like the jointed pelham either for a few reasons. Now back in the french link as the magennis seems to have done the trick/ I picked one up for £15 from equestrian clearance.
 
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