Could I have some bit advice please?

Jackson

Jackson

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Hello :)

I'm bringing Jack back in to work at the moment, and we are hopefully going to start doing a few dressage tests.

He's quite strong, usually ridden in a dutch gag with the rein on the snaffle or second ring, but at the same time very fussy about any contact (in any type of bit, not just one with poll pressure).

In his gag, we can stop without any fighting, he doesn't lean on the bit and I think it has become a bit of a comfort blanket for both of us, however, obviously we can't do our tests in that, so what would you recommend? I do school with two reins and he will go completely off of the snaffle one and be perfectly responsive, stop on a dime or whatever, however that must be because he knows that I can back it up, as when you put a snaffle in his mouth, he reverts back to his usual self and I hate hauling* on his mouth :(

It's frustrating that he's the perfect horse in his gag but becomes a rhino, tank train in anything else.

I bought a hanging cheek (french link) because I thought it would be similar to his gag, but I rode him in it today (for a limited time as he is recovering from an injury, not that anyone told him..) and it actually took half of the long side for him to make a downwards transition from trot (granted he is a bit fresh ;)) Shall I just persevere with this, obviously asking him lightly first, then increasing until I get a response? (actually, have I just answered my own question?)

I have other bits lying about so if you have any other suggestions? :(

Thanks.
 
My mare is the same :rolleyes: I have her in a 3 ring gag and ride off 2 reins but only really ever have to use my snaffle one...however ANYTHING thing else i put on her from a plaain snaffle to hanging cheek to a hackamore with all different types of mouthpieces on them. I just feel that she doesn't 'need' a gag...but she seems happy in it so letting her get on with it..sorry im rambling :P

have you tried a hanging cheek? << ignore that! sorry wasn't reading properly.

Hmm sounds like a tricky one, i would play around with as many different mouthpieces as I could if I were you if you can beg and borrow from others just to trial :) or try thehorsebitshop.co.uk

hope someone else can be more helpful ;)
 
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Jackson said:
Hello :)

I'm bringing Jack back in to work at the moment, and we are hopefully going to start doing a few dressage tests.

He's quite strong, usually ridden in a dutch gag with the rein on the snaffle or second ring, but at the same time very fussy about any contact (in any type of bit, not just one with poll pressure).

In his gag, we can stop without any fighting, he doesn't lean on the bit and I think it has become a bit of a comfort blanket for both of us, however, obviously we can't do our tests in that, so what would you recommend? I do school with two reins and he will go completely off of the snaffle one and be perfectly responsive, stop on a dime or whatever, however that must be because he knows that I can back it up, as when you put a snaffle in his mouth, he reverts back to his usual self and I hate hauling* on his mouth :(

It's frustrating that he's the perfect horse in his gag but becomes a rhino, tank train in anything else.

I bought a hanging cheek (french link) because I thought it would be similar to his gag, but I rode him in it today (for a limited time as he is recovering from an injury, not that anyone told him..) and it actually took half of the long side for him to make a downwards transition from trot (granted he is a bit fresh ;)) Shall I just persevere with this, obviously asking him lightly first, then increasing until I get a response? (actually, have I just answered my own question?)

I have other bits lying about so if you have any other suggestions? :(

Thanks.
Click to expand...

did you get to the bottom of his lameness? I kept missing the updates
 
victoria1980x said:
did you get to the bottom of his lameness? I kept missing the updates
Click to expand...

Oops, missed your reply! Yes, he's been sound for a few weeks with having some minor walking in the school and on the roads and now we are introducing trotting. In the end the vet wasn't concerned enough to scan and just prescribed longer box rest, walking in hand and hosing, then limited turnout. He didn't seem to be improving much for a long time, however over the course of three or four days he came magically right again!
Did you find out what was the matter with your lad?
 
After £700 pounds of investigations discovered he has low heels and very thin soles currently managed with egg bar shoes (hardly dare say it) but has been fine since x
 
Seen as he's not been in full work cos of the injury I think he just needs a bit of time & work. Try using 2 reins all the time, but get into the habit of knotting up the bottom one so you only have it for emergencies, that way you are creating more of a snaffle feel. If you need to, just work on schooling in the gag using just the snaffle rein, & when he's more settled try the hanging cheek again.
 
littlelegs said:
Seen as he's not been in full work cos of the injury I think he just needs a bit of time & work. Try using 2 reins all the time, but get into the habit of knotting up the bottom one so you only have it for emergencies, that way you are creating more of a snaffle feel. If you need to, just work on schooling in the gag using just the snaffle rein, & when he's more settled try the hanging cheek again.
Click to expand...
Thanks Littlelegs (:D), before he hurt himself we were doing so every day, it made a difference but he still knew when he was in his snaffle that he could take advantage :rolleyes:
 
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