Changing from a kimblewick..

[maddie23]

Sorry if this turns into a long post!
My sports horse mare has been in a slotted kimblewick since January for hacking as she previously blind panic bolted and I needed something extra as she had a tendency to get too strong when nervous or excited. At first it was just on the top slot but the bottom slot - although I'm guessing more severe - meant I felt like I didn't hang on her mouth as much as I'm guessing it's less tongue pressure?
Anyway, although I have total control in the kimblewick I'm finding she doesn't need it as much now, with more schooling(in a snaffle) and getting her more de-sensitised she goes a lot better and I rarely worry about brakes! The kimblewick is also quite thick and she has a big tongue, fleshy lips and just not much room in her mouth for it. I've looked for thinner ones but not had much luck. The problem is I'm still very scared that if I don't have the brakes she might take off with me again and I don't want to risk it but I want her to be comfier..
I had an instructor out after the bolting accident and she recommended a Cheltenham gag as my mare would snatch reins which didn't help, but she hasn't done this in months.

Long story short the main problem here is me trying bits out. She goes like an angel in the school and has never gotten too strong in the snaffle, so hacking out is my only option to properly try bits out but if she gets too strong I potentially risk her bolting again..

The bits I'm thinking of trying:
A Dutch gag(main issue is that I'm not comfortable with double reins) with either a lozenge or Waterford mouth piece
A Waterford loose ring snaffle, but not sure if it will be strong enough?
A Tom Thumb, although I think this is more severe than the kimblewick due to the leverage?

Please no mean comments, her teeth are perfectly fine and this issue cannot be completely resolved with schooling. My dentist, instructor and vet have all recommended that I put her in a stronger bit for hacking simply because she will put us both in danger if she gets too strong.

If anyone could offer some advice I'd be super grateful, just want her to be happy but us both still be safe! Thank you

 

[fidleyspromise]

Didn't want to read and run - have you spoken to any of the bit banks to see what they suggest?

 

[maddie23]

Didn't want to read and run - have you spoken to any of the bit banks to see what they suggest?

I haven't thought to look there as I wasn't looking for a particular bit, as far as I'm aware they only stock the bigger(more expensive lol) brands like NS and Sprenger. I'll have a look though and see if I can send them a message

 

[Shay]

They are very well placed to advise on bits. As are the Horse Bit Shop. Both will give you impartial advice if you wing on Monday - you don't have to but anything!

 

[spike123]

can you not keep the kimblewick for hacking and school in a snaffle? My horse used to be ridden for everything in a kimblewick but with alot of schooling and a change to a micklem he's now ridden in a hanging cheek snaffle with french link and goes very well in it for everything. He used to pull his head down and bolt or tuck into his chest and use his chest against you but the school work has helped no end and now 99% of the time he's polite and well mannered to ride.

 

[Kat]

I'd just continue with the kimblewick. They are great bits for strong horses, and nicer than a tom thumb or Waterford.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I'd stick with the kimblewick for hacking tbh, have you tried a non-slotted one or a mullen mouth to see if she's more comfortable with a differnt mouthpiece if you are worried about that?

 

[maddie23]

can you not keep the kimblewick for hacking and school in a snaffle? My horse used to be ridden for everything in a kimblewick but with alot of schooling and a change to a micklem he's now ridden in a hanging cheek snaffle with french link and goes very well in it for everything. He used to pull his head down and bolt or tuck into his chest and use his chest against you but the school work has helped no end and now 99% of the time he's polite and well mannered to ride.

I can however 70% of my horses work load is hacking as we only have a grass paddock(which gets muddy!) to school in. Just wanted something a bit kinder for her as her mouth has softened so much! I've been looking bridles similar to micklems, I've heard great things about them would love to try one one day!

 

[maddie23]

I'd stick with the kimblewick for hacking tbh, have you tried a non-slotted one or a mullen mouth to see if she's more comfortable with a differnt mouthpiece if you are worried about that?

I'll try putting it non-slotted one day and see how she goes, I think I'll have to have a better look for a different mouth piece. Just want something thinner to be honest, the Mullen mouths look great!

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I was run away with by a Clydesdale in a blind panic because of some colts at the other side of a wall, who ran along side us, even after we had left them behind she shot across a road junction before I managed to pull her up. I put her in a PeeWee after that and never had a problem again. She liked the slim mullenmouth and the side pieces improved her steering too.

My Draft horse can also get very strong on hacks and had run away with her (previous) novice owner but responds well to a NS Universal, with 2 reins. Both these bits have slim mouth pieces and fit big mouths/fat tongues.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I like the peewees as well-use them on native ponies, not used one for brakes though. new pony can be strong and came to me in a fat, huge pelham with roundings-have put him in a mullen, non-slotted kimblewick and he seems happier in that than the FL snaffle I tried him in. I should try him in the peewee!

 

[Hoof_Prints]

Sometimes you need to bit up for hacking/fast stuff. If you wanted options with double reins, you can always tie a knot in the bottom rein and grab it if needed. I took a girl hunting and recommended she did this, it worked perfectly for her as she couldn't use both at once and wanted to swap them according to the mare's behaviour.

 

[claret09]

I had a vulcanised kimblewick many years ago and my 14.2 connie went beautifully in it . the only time I rode him in something else was doing a dressage test when we either used a vulcanised straight bar loose ring snaffle or a double bridle. kimblewicks are a lovely bit they are just very out of fashion

 

[maddie23]

I was run away with by a Clydesdale in a blind panic because of some colts at the other side of a wall, who ran along side us, even after we had left them behind she shot across a road junction before I managed to pull her up. I put her in a PeeWee after that and never had a problem again. She liked the slim mullenmouth and the side pieces improved her steering too.

My Draft horse can also get very strong on hacks and had run away with her (previous) novice owner but responds well to a NS Universal, with 2 reins. Both these bits have slim mouth pieces and fit big mouths/fat tongues.

Sorry to hear that.. it's absolutely terrifying to be on board a blind panic bolt Will check out the peewee bit thank you! Does the universal bit act as a gag?

 

[maddie23]

I like the peewees as well-use them on native ponies, not used one for brakes though. new pony can be strong and came to me in a fat, huge pelham with roundings-have put him in a mullen, non-slotted kimblewick and he seems happier in that than the FL snaffle I tried him in. I should try him in the peewee!

Will definitely look into the mullen mouthpiece! Mine came with a thick straight mouth piece on her snaffle, only bit she'd ever been in but she could lean on it terribly and it never seems to sit nice in her mouth! I have soft and light hands so I'd much rather a thinner mouth piece for her

 

[maddie23]

Sometimes you need to bit up for hacking/fast stuff. If you wanted options with double reins, you can always tie a knot in the bottom rein and grab it if needed. I took a girl hunting and recommended she did this, it worked perfectly for her as she couldn't use both at once and wanted to swap them according to the mare's behaviour.

that's a great idea didn't think of that! the Dutch gag is the only bit I've looked at which would need double reins, thank you

 

[maddie23]

I had a vulcanised kimblewick many years ago and my 14.2 connie went beautifully in it . the only time I rode him in something else was doing a dressage test when we either used a vulcanised straight bar loose ring snaffle or a double bridle. kimblewicks are a lovely bit they are just very out of fashion

Yes that's true, hardly ever see horses in them.

 

[AFB]

How about a Kimblewick with a little port? That'll give her a bit more room and from what I've seen they tend to be minimally thinner mouthpieces than mullen mouths.

 

[maddie23]

How about a Kimblewick with a little port? That'll give her a bit more room and from what I've seen they tend to be minimally thinner mouthpieces than mullen mouths.

Mine does have a port(it seems quite high) although I still think it's too thick��

 

[Annagain]

Sometimes you need to bit up for hacking/fast stuff. If you wanted options with double reins, you can always tie a knot in the bottom rein and grab it if needed. I took a girl hunting and recommended she did this, it worked perfectly for her as she couldn't use both at once and wanted to swap them according to the mare's behaviour.

I do this - my boy can get very strong in exciting situations. He wears a Waterford dutch gag as he goes far better in a Waterford mouthpiece than a snaffle and 95% of the time he's fine on just the snaffle rein. Although I'm fine with 2 reins, I find the short sharp shock of only using the bottom rein when I need it far more effective.

I would say though, if it ain't broke don't fix it. If he's schooling well in a snaffle and happy out and about in a kimblewick, I'd leave it like that. It took me 18 months to find bits my boy was happy in. We ended up with 3 for different things but I haven't changed them in the 10 years since then. He rarely wears the gag these days, just for really exciting stuff with lots of other horses around but it's very useful when I need it.

 

[AFB]

Mine does have a port(it seems quite high) although I still think it's too thick��

Ah apologies if I missed that - only skim read

 

[MotherOfChickens]

How about a Kimblewick with a little port? That'll give her a bit more room and from what I've seen they tend to be minimally thinner mouthpieces than mullen mouths.

the mullen kimblewick I have has a thinner mouthpice than the slotted, ported one I have in my bit box so its worth looking about.


I dont know if there are many left anymore but for the more old fashioned type of bit, secondhand tack shops can be really useful for finding different thicknesses etc

 

[maddie23]

the mullen kimblewick I have has a thinner mouthpice than the slotted, ported one I have in my bit box so its worth looking about.


I dont know if there are many left anymore but for the more old fashioned type of bit, secondhand tack shops can be really useful for finding different thicknesses etc

Yeah definitely easier to go and look rather than getting anything online, only one local to me but they have a huge variety so will go and have a look for something!