Calling all bitting experts - help please!

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Mongoose11

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Ok, so Olive arrived in a Waterford. When I first viewed her the owner said - 'she has got excellent brakes - she always stops at the end of the field' (!!)

I knew she was strong, but when I rode her for the first time I was happy to canter her out and she stopped beautifully - I hadn't felt like that with a horse for a long, long time.

So - got her home, instructor said - ditch the Waterford. I went to a snaffle with the three loose copper rings in the middle with the joint (can't remember the name - sorry). Ok in this but heavy on the forehand - she needs no help with this! When I moved yards I started to ride much more, she is fitter and we are doing faster work. She started to completely ignore the snaffle - never tanked off but strong and not listening.

So, we tried a ported myler. Seemed to make a difference at first but now it is clear that she listens to me when she chooses and otherwise she has gone back to being strong again. I want to feel her come back to me when I ask, I am schooling her and schooling out hacking but I feel that I need a bit that will work with me for the time being. We school in a french link lozenge and it suits her.

I need something for out hacking - what would you recommend? I have never had to experiment so suggestions would be useful.

Thanks in advance!
 
TBH if she is happy in the waterford and this gives you brakes, then I would use that hacking (if it ain't broke don't fix it). I keep using a loose ring lozenge for schooling.
 
Hi PBS - I haven't ever hacked her in the Waterford (she was hacked in it by the old owner) but was thinking of trying it for myself and then trying some other things if suggested. Olive is my first horse (after many loans and shares) and so the first one that I have been able to really start making my own decisions about. That said, when I first got her I took the advice of my instructor who said immediately - ditch the waterford....

Will definitely give it a go as I have it there.
 
I'd suggest trying the Waterford as well, they aren't especially strong bits unless they are in the wrong hands and are excellent for preventing leaning onto the forehand. My 6 y/o WB x TB was in a copper Waterford with full cheeks when I bought him and I am still using it, although gradually starting to use a french link snaffle (copper link) for schooling.

My horse isn't especially strong and has a very soft mouth, in my opinion the Waterford is maintaining this; as I am still getting to know him (bought him last November as a 5 y/o) I am reluctant to change too much unless it is really necessary.
 
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