Change of bit?

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amzy

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My new cob is perfect in most ways (I seem to have found the right one for me at last)! He is responsive to the aids most of the time but when headed for home, at a junction, when he has to stand still, he sometimes evades by raising his head and attempts to carry on. I ride him in a D ring snaffle at the moment and he has very recently had his teeth done so do you think a Kimblewick or similar would help?
 
I kimblewick on top slot or not in a slot with a loseish chain might give you just enough "bite" when you need it but still be quite mild with a "normal" contact. Otherwise have you checked his tounge? Cobs often have trouble with tounge relief as they are too fleshy for their mouth so something double jointed, mullen or ported with the same cheekpieces may make all the difference.
 
I asked the equine dentist about his mouth conformation and suitable bits and he told me any bit, jointed or not, should be o.k for him as long as a straight bar had a slight port and a thick rubber pelham may be too bulky.
 
Train him to stop properly?!

'..responsive to the aids most of the time'
isn't really good enough,
especially if you're hacking on the roads and stopping at junctions!

If he's evading the bit does that mean you're pulling back to stop him?
If he's fine the rest of the time when you're riding with this bit then it's not the bit you need to change it's training him to stop and stand properly.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Train him to stop properly?!

'..responsive to the aids most of the time'
isn't really good enough,
especially if you're hacking on the roads and stopping at junctions!

If he's evading the bit does that mean you're pulling back to stop him?
If he's fine the rest of the time when you're riding with this bit then it's not the bit you need to change it's training him to stop and stand properly.

[/ QUOTE ]

whilst I agree with what you are saying-not every horse goes well in a snaffle, not even well trained ones, some just need that extra bit of brakes as they be naturally more excitable, or have a thicker mouth etc etc. I prefer a stronger bit when out and about as I like to know I have extra brakes-for safety sake!!
 
forgot to add, does he open his mouth when you want him to stop, if so maybe a flash or drop noseband might help or a grackle if he twists his jaw? maybe a martingale if he is raising his head? as above poster said, combined with extra schooling???
 
Ok this might sound odd but how are you with double reins? Either on a dutch gag aka bubbe bit or jointed pelham. I usually tie bottom rein in a knot when not needed and ride purely on the top rein. bottom one for emergances. Good for avoiding horses getting hard mouthed.
 
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