Brakes for a tank!

[Dovorian]

Dear ned, who is generally a tank, behaved beautifully hunting for the first time today. However, strong was an underestimate and his rider has jelly arms now! So, bit suggestions please. pelham with 2 reins not enough, wondered about a gag but not sure...

 

[Fiagai]

I have used a three ring revolver bit with roundings or two reins (Example) for "brakes for a tank". This bit has the advantage of having a central lozenge and two joints which contour over the tounge unlike the nutcracker action of a single joint bit. It is nor as harsh as traditional gag bits and is excellent for riders with good hands.

 

[Mike007]

No, dont bit up yet. First time ,and a good horse is going to be a bit keen . Let him settle down You can achieve a lot by being a bit savvy how you ride them and place them within the field.Early days yet ,(and your arms will recover.)

 

[Kat]

If he was just a bit strong I'd maybe try again before changing the bit. if you do need something and he was happy in the pelham maybe try a slight change, a longer shank, check your curb chain is adjusted correctly, maybe a joint or a sliding cheek..... or you could try a double bridle, or a swales pelham if he tends to go deep. The action of the gag and pelham are so different I wouldn't go from one to the other unless you are having a problem.

 

[Rosie Round The Hills]

I have used a three ring revolver bit with roundings or two reins (Example) for "brakes for a tank". This bit has the advantage of having a central lozenge and two joints which contour over the tounge unlike the nutcracker action of a single joint bit. It is nor as harsh as traditional gag bits and is excellent for riders with good hands.

I use one of these for my tank, and I've only ever used the middle bubble because I'm worried that the bottom bubble would be too harsh. It works - to an extent; she listens to it most of the time, but to be honest when we're flying downhill following the field - I might as well not be there

On Saturday I'm going to experiment with a waterford and standing martingale combination.

 

[gunnergundog]

No, dont bit up yet. First time ,and a good horse is going to be a bit keen . Let him settle down You can achieve a lot by being a bit savvy how you ride them and place them within the field.Early days yet ,(and your arms will recover.)

Good advice.....try and pair up with a seasoned hunter who is calm and can move away from and through the field as required. Make use of any uphill stretches to kick on and get off his mouth. It normally takes quite a few outings to truly settle a horse hunting and sadly you are running out of time this season.

 

[VoR]

Having read all the above, there seems to be some pretty sound advice, I have been told that a strong bit used sparingly is better than a 'softer' bit used all the time and I'd rather have the brakes available when needed than find I didn't have them at all!!!

 

[Dovorian]

Thank you all for good advice - will try again with normal tack + ride myself as he was ridden by a light teenager yesterday. He was very well mannered in all other ways, even parked perfectly when needed. I do think that 'slow' pace may have contributed, a steady canter early on may have settled the need to 'go on' Field Master not pleased... but he didn't overtake her.

 

[skewby]

No, dont bit up yet. First time ,and a good horse is going to be a bit keen . Let him settle down You can achieve a lot by being a bit savvy how you ride them and place them within the field.Early days yet ,(and your arms will recover.)

That is such good advice. I found early on in the mad days that my horse would actually settle near the front. He could see what was going on and it moved quickly. Now I have the halcyon days of being able to continue a conversation with whom I choose, wherever in the field. As opposed to barging through the middle of a conversation. Not popular.

Also if he proves really strong and excitable, take him cubbing. I found my hunt to be SO forgiving because we ironed out our spiky bits in cubbing season (and it took a good 5 or so meets ) xx

 

[EAST KENT]

Skewby your horse looks an absolute cracker!

 

[skewby]

Skewby your horse looks an absolute cracker!

What a lovely thing to say! Thank you, and he is got him cheap as a poor 4yo, ex Stow Fair, diamond in the rough is an understatement. He's very special and I'm very, very lucky to have him