bitting

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Tern

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Okay so basically I need a bit.. having trouble with control really. When we got her she was in a hanging cheek and all she did was hang (lol.. with a French like center rotater joint' next up is a d-ring copper roller nutcracker action joint and she is lovely in this except for cantering when head flies into your face.. also have tried in a copper enriched French link loose ring, again not very responsive to it in most paces.. I need a bit that I can jump, flat, show etc in.. all teeth etc fine so please do not say this. I'm am not sure if she is needing a strong or weak bit but she's 7 and a Welsh D and a mare so ill let you imagine that with your face bombarding with her! Also was in flash but took it away as was doing nothing except force her mouth shut which was not really needed unless jumping so I was wondering if I try a grackle or drop too?
 
Tern, your description isn't enough to work out what's happening. Is she leaning on the bit; what triggers her head flying up - is it a clumsy transition or doesn't she like the nutcracker? Does she accept any of these bits, and soften?

With any bitting question, the answer is often schooling, rather than more straps.
 
You are looking for 1 bit to do many jobs, for flatwork I would use the one she is happy in and work on improving her schooling to gain more control, this will take time especially getting the canter better. For showing, if you are planning on doing some ridden classes a double or pelham is correct and once she is going better in a snaffle you could look at using either as a means of getting that extra refinement required, not to give you brakes, it should just make everything smoother and harmonious.
For faster work out hacking and jumping you may require another bit if brakes are an issue, this will be trial and error, most people have a favourite it depends on the individual which works to best effect, it may be that if she gets her head up putting a martingale on helps more than a stronger bit.
A correctly fitted flash should not be so tight it forces the mouth closed, that can make a horse throw it's head up, trying one set slightly less tight may help as may a drop or grakle but just the same as bitting it is trial and error combined with plenty of correct schooling that makes the difference, finding a good instructor who could advise and possibly let you try some different bits would be worthwhile.
 
I would find an instructor to help you really for the best results as they will be able to see the problem and may ride her to get a feel of it, also they usually come equipped with a selection of bits some will let you try, failing that try a second hand saddler.

But i would probably suggest two bits firstly a pelham unless you are competent to use a double, although in a 7 year old this may be too much so start with the former on two reins. I suggest this mainly as you would like to show therefore the correct bit for showing, this would also with the curb chain give you the extra brakes needed if she gets strong.

But i would also suggest for schooling that she needs more work to try and get her to relax and soften. I would avoid nutcrackers as this seems to be giving her the head jerk reaction and many horses don't like them including my own welsh D mare who i ride in a plain eggbutt french link snaffle for everything i do. I would probably get a snaffle as i said for schooling and train her out of hanging on it. Remember that hanging cheeks provide some poll pressure therefore encouraging lowering of the head and may be what is causing her to hang, again experience of my own. If you want anymore info as she sounds like my own mare send me a pm and i will get back to you.
 
Hello all, thank you for replies.

PennyTurner.. There is not much to explain, please ask what you'd like to know and i will tell you.

BePositive - I do have an instructor with who we are trying to sort her out as she has the working age of a 4 year old! Re Flash: It is correctly fitted, but what i was meaning to say was with out it she is frothing in the mouth becoming softer while with it she tried to fight .

Templebar - Thank you :) She was unfortunately was never put on the bit from the riding school she was in for 3 years so she is finally learning, doesn't even know how to bend! She also does jerk in a french link the same as a nutcracker so this make no/little difference. We are currently having a lesson every other week with her and very very dependant on left rein, may have a pm :D
 
i had a very keen tb ex racehorse and he used to hang like a gate! i found that by getting rid of his harsh bit and grackle his old owners had (think it was a waterford gag) and putting on a simple snaffle with check pieces he gradually became more relaxed and started listening to me. it took a lot of schooling but it was worth it, i was eventually able to teach him to neck rein and voice commands and barely touch his mouth at all. like others have said we cant see what your horse is like so it is best to go on your instructors advice and keep up with the schooling :)
 
i forgot to mention that the check pieces on his bit helped the stearing when he was trying to hang...also stops the bit going through his mouth if he got that bad.
 
If she is not throwing her head up due to pain and is happy in the bit other than the head throwing why not try a martingale? Unless of course she is throwing her head because she doesn't like the bit.. then i can understand your problem
 
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