Brakes for pony

[barnaby123]

Hi

I just wondered if anyone can offer me some advice. My daughters 12.1 welsh x is currently ridden in a loose ring french link. He is mostly fine in this, however he can get quite strong in cantering and jumping and this can make him difficult to turn/pull up. He doesn't take off as such, he is just strong for a 7 year old and also a teenager who rides him. We are starting to do a bit of showing and ultimately I am hoping to do SHP / WHP classes with him and also in time some dressage. I have been advised to try a wilkie snaffle, but I have heard a lot of conflicting information. I don't want to over bit him, so any advice / thoughts would be gratefully received!

Thanks

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

It might not make enough different but you could try a hanging cheek snaffle, It is dressage legal even for BD and also has the advantage that there is no risk unlike with loose ring of the bit being pulled through the mouth when turning.

If something stronger is required a lot of ponies are ridden in Kimblewicks.

 

[missy99]

was going to suggest hanging cheek french link, im not an expert in any way on bits, but my horse has the same problem sometimes so i keep a spare hanging cheek incase, we havent actually used it yet but ive been told it is slightly stronger and it puts more pressure on the poll helping them to lower their heads, hope i can help!

 

[barnaby123]

Thank you for your replies. I have got a hanging cheek french link on trial. He has been ridden in it once so far and it did seem to help on flat. Have still got try him jumping though

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

If it doesnt do the trick you could try this one, less severe than a 3 ring gag or , I'm just about to get one for my girl just to use when we are out and about, hacking we just use French link snaffle...

http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/Copper_French_Link_Sliding_(American)_Gag-(3790).aspx

 

[Casey76]

The American gag will have the same effect as riding off the bottom ring of a 4 ring Dutch gag. I.e. very severe

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

The American gag will have the same effect as riding off the bottom ring of a 4 ring Dutch gag. I.e. very severe

Strange....... as that's completely different to the assessment given by the saddlery shop about it?

They say it is less severe than a Dutch gag due to the limit imposed on the movement of the bit and cheek....Which would make sense with the curve limiting the elevation, whereas the bottom ring of a gag bit would have no such limitation? (and that's with a 3 ring, 4 ring would be even worse).