CB Owners - which bit?

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Hi all... Just wondering what bit everyone with a CB uses on a day to day basis and whether you change it for different activities?

I'm in the process of riding my 4 year old away in a french link full cheek snaffle but am finding his sheer strength a bit much when he's being naughty out hacking (pulling his head down - which pulls me out of the saddle and throwing in a big buck!)... I am obviously trying to school him through this and will use a bit change as a last resort but just wondering what everyone else uses.
 
OH mare is in a Neue Schule eggbutt as she appreciates the stillness (compared to a loose ring) and the shape for her mouth.

If he is pulling his head down then I would ensure he is working forwards properly - little monkey sounds like he has a nice evasion sorted out! Could you also try walk/trot poles to help him lift and loosen through his shoulder? Might make carrying himself a little easier so he doesn't need to resort to naughty tricks?
 
Hi ThePony!

Yes, I think he quickly worked out a new trick in one ride... he'd had a couple of goes at pulling me out of the saddle a little while before he got me off... I think you're right I probably need to engage him more... it's difficult when you're trying to be as nice as possible by giving them their head a little but then if this is the way they thank you...

I will definately do a little more with poles... Have done the odd one already but it makes sense to do more...
 
Prob we found with OH mare is that you do need to be nice and sensitive, but also with strict ground rules otherwise she has you worked out and wrapped around her little finger before you have a clue what is going on - CBs are far too smart for their (or our!) own good! Keeping her brain active, but not ragging her body seems to be the key to getting nice work.

Changes to what you are doing regularly (esp on a hack it seems as chill out time can also be seen as planning time lol!), but with plenty of positive re-inforcement for every effort given, even if not exactly what you were after. So changes of direction and pace (within a pace as well as between paces), asking for tiny little alterations of bend (you don't always need to follow the nose!), and even a step or two of leg yeild if he is up to it - anything to keep the brain off plotting!

Best of luck, when you have got the basics in and are over the teenage bits, then goodness you will have the most wonderful horse there is! Worth the, ahem, 'character traits' on the way!!
 
I think you have sumarised my boy quite nicely there! Have you been spying on us?! lol!

I am taking a step or two back towards basics at the moment and re-inforcing the ground rules a little as he has turned into a bit of a pig of late (typical teenager!lol!) and is completely oblivious of anyone but himself... once I have had his back and saddle double checked, and my body is less battered and bruised, I will get back on to the riding stuff with a few more transitions, changes if rein, bending etc...

I'm glad he can be considered 'normal'!... it isn't until you have one that you can quite understand them!!
 
There def isn't any horse quite like a CB! I could never understand why in adverts for CBs they were described in glowing terms, but then often also had 'not novice' ride in the ad. How could something that was safe and sane not be a novice ride? Now I know my OH's girl I can totally understand it! Just the most wonderful breed, but you need to have your head screwed on right to get the best rather than wind up with a mardy bolshy beast!! Hopeing to add to our little group, they are too addictive! Best of luck with your chap, he sounds wonderful, if (I expect!) a little tiring at times!
 
Thank you so much... well he certainly hasn't put me off... I too would definately have another and actually the ad for his mum for sale came up on the right when I posted this... it gives me hope that I can produce something at least half as good....
 
I am assuming the same add comes up when I read this thread - I know that mare!! Unless I am very much mistaken the middle pic was taken during the ridden CB at South Folds Farm show this year (she had just beaten my OH into second place!). Such a lovely mare!
 
My 9 yrold broodmare was backed in the summer. At first I also used a full cheek french link snaffle, but she started leaning on the cheeks and getting "gobby". Someone suggested a jointed D ring snaffle with copper and stainless steel rollers. I found one on-line from the HorseBit shop. It is smooth not like a cherry-roller. She is much better in the hand and no leaning. The 5.25" was on special offer so only £12.95 with postage. They also do bit trials for the full price bits.
 
Adina, sounds like you and I might have similar problems... My boy has just started leaning and trying to dictate direction in doing so... They aren't stupid these clevies!! I'll take a look at some alternative bits alongside some more lessons to hopefully get us back on track (litterally!!)
 
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