Can anybody help me choose a new bit?

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kerryandty

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Hi im in need of some help im thinking my horse may need a new bit:confused: ive had him 15 months now once or twice in the past he has spooked turned and galloped off with me, i manage to turn him into a circle stopping him in his tracks but hes doing it more often now and on main roads so getting dangerous, hes also pulling his head down alot, hes only just turned 5 so i dont want anything too harsh ive had his teeth checked alls well there. any advice on what i could do with him? or what bit may work?:rolleyes:
 
Heards some good advice recently which was, its better to have your horse in a slightly stronger bit and only need to use slight pressure to get a responce, instead of having a constant pressure yanking with a snaffle.

My horse is only 5 and she prefers her thin dutch gag to any snaffle as she doesnt like mouth pressure and dutch gags are more poll.
 
Hi. You haven't said anything about what tack/bit he is in at the moment. He is only 5, where is he up to with his schooling? and how experienced are you? Is he spooking at something, does he always play up in the same place or when you are asking for the same thing from him?
I would suggest either getting an instructor to see you ride him and see what they have to say, or hack out with an experienced friend and see what they suggest his actions are down to?
 
trottingon said:
Hi. You haven't said anything about what tack/bit he is in at the moment. He is only 5, where is he up to with his schooling? and how experienced are you? Is he spooking at something, does he always play up in the same place or when you are asking for the same thing from him?
I would suggest either getting an instructor to see you ride him and see what they have to say, or hack out with an experienced friend and see what they suggest his actions are down to?
Click to expand...

Hes in an eggbutt snaffle, schooling is going quite well as we school 3-4 times a week, he definatly spooking always a different place and he only does it when we are on our own never when we are out in company, hes much more worried when on his own, im not fanatstic im old school had horse 20 years ago and only just back rideing in the last two years :)
 
georgiaziggy said:
Heards some good advice recently which was, its better to have your horse in a slightly stronger bit and only need to use slight pressure to get a responce, instead of having a constant pressure yanking with a snaffle.

My horse is only 5 and she prefers her thin dutch gag to any snaffle as she doesnt like mouth pressure and dutch gags are more poll.
Click to expand...

Think i may just have to have a go at a few different bits ;)
 
Yeah was looking at one of the rubber ones i suppose its going to one of them things keep trying till i find one that works,
 
My advice would be to work out why he is spooking so much, this is not normal behaviour if it is getting worse. Something is causing this and my advice would be to find out what it is.
How do you feel when you hack out, are you a confident rider or has your confidence been dented because of this? You may be transferring your nerves to him and visa versa, causing a vicious circle.
Has his circumstances at home changed?
What are you feeding him? It sounds like he is very insecure out on his own. I would recommend doing lots of ground work with him at home. Learn Natural Horsemanship so you develop a bond with him and he will learn to trust you as his leader, then he will relax and leave looking for things to spook at to you - if your not worried, he won't be worried.
This method will take a bit of time but a new bit will only mask the main problem you have, that is he is very spooky, that's dangerous behaviour when you are out hacking alone.
Find information here http://www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk/
Hope this helps.
 
Ditto above .... also contact a bit bank and talk to them and see what they suggest , then you can try before you buy ... alot cheaper !
 
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