Do I need to change his bit? WWUD?

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JoshuaR97

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I'm taking my rising 5 Irish draught out to a hound exercising meet this weekend. He is currently ridden in a nathe loose ring so it's a very mild bit. He doesn't wear a martingale or anything but I'm wondering whether to use a stronger bit. My instructor said he would put a Pelham on him with roundings but I don't really want to go from something so mild to that. Another friend said I could use a 2 ring gag and start off with it on the snaffle ring and go down if I need be but what would you guys do? I just want to make sure I have control if need be as he hadn't been out with 50+ horses.
 
I use a French link snaffle on mine, then when we go somewhere more "exciting" we use a happy mouth pelham with roundings. I wouldn't say it's very harsh if you have soft hands and only use it when you need to.
 
Mine is normally super chilled in a happy mouth full cheek snaffle. however when at a cross country or somewhere else exciting she goes in a happy mouth three ring on the second one. i can then be very light in my hands but it has definitely helped get some respect when she was a bit overwhelmed!
 
I find a Cheltenham gag with two reins great for these occasions as I often knot the gag rein on the wither and ride just on the snaffle rein unless you need a bit more and then you can use the gag rein.
Horses for courses though and all that!
 
JoshuaR97 said:
I'm taking my rising 5 Irish draught out to a hound exercising meet this weekend. He is currently ridden in a nathe loose ring so it's a very mild bit. He doesn't wear a martingale or anything but I'm wondering whether to use a stronger bit. My instructor said he would put a Pelham on him with roundings but I don't really want to go from something so mild to that. Another friend said I could use a 2 ring gag and start off with it on the snaffle ring and go down if I need be but what would you guys do? I just want to make sure I have control if need be as he hadn't been out with 50+ horses.
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No bit is severe in the right hands, its better to check once with something like a Pelham than to pull 100 times on something that has little effect.
If you put him in a Pelham you can make the curb chain loose and see if you need to tighten it during your meet. Make sure you use a lip strap to hold it in place.
 
I wouldn't use a pelham with roundings, if the horse doesn't like it there is not much you can do to change it on the day, I nearly always put a martingale on fairly loosely, it will only come into use if required, a 2 ring gag with the same mouthpiece as his normal bit used initially on the top ring will give you more options on the day, if he gets strong drop it down if he is good leave it where it is.
 
I 100% would not change his bit on first outing - you will end up putting something in he doesn't like and find that he goes behind the hand totally and freaks out - I would add a martingale for safety and be prepared to cut the day short if he found it exciting;
 
be positive's advice is good. Basically the same bit as he has now with the possible option of an additional gag ring if you need it. Hound exercise isn't as exciting as hunting so its a good way to dip your toe in the water and see what he's like.

Whatever you decide, do pop on a martingale or a neck strap. Gives you something to grab if you need to without catching his mouth.
 
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