Bitting up (or something) for fun rides

[HorseMaid]

I've just taken my 12yo mare on a fun ride and suffice to say she thought it was incredibly exciting (sweated up and hacking before we even set out). I've been to this sort of thing before with her in her normal snaffle and she's been bearable but today I was finding she was repeatedly shoving her head to the floor, pulling me forwards and buggering off, I had very little control at times. I'm not normally a fan of using harsher bits but for my own safety and sanity I think I need to - but where to start?

 

[AmyMay]

Kimblewick or Pelham. Job done.

 

[HorseMaid]

I like this no nonsense answer @AmyMay

 

[soloequestrian]

If she's using you being unbalanced after the pull down would it be worth using a grass rein once or twice so there's an automatic stop for her head going down? You might be able to relax a bit more then because you wouldn't have to be braced for the pull.

 

[HorseMaid]

Yes I think that may be an even more simple answer - she's definitely sticking her head down so that she can get away once she's unbalanced me. Today she was doing it repeatedly and I didn't stand much of a chance if holding her. Normally she is much more responsive and well behaved (although she's always been quite a hot mare), I think the situation blew her brains a bit. I'd like to be able to go to other fun rides though and her behaviour definitely spoiled it today, she was like a wild thing while everyone else's horses looked beautifully behaved in the main!