do you change bits for xc?

Nope

If I can't do XC and SJ in the same bit I think I am doing something wrong. Don't get me wrong, I know there are horses out there that need a bit more in their mouths for brakes and steering, but I just prefer to have my horse listen to me, even if its a headcoller she should still stop or slow when I ask. (and I ask with my seat and legs so the bit shouldn't even come in to it)
 
I don't see anything wrong with changing your bit - its a fair point that your horse should be listening and obedient in the mildest bit possible but in reality that rarely happens. Its better to be safe and in control xc than stick them in a snaffle because you think they 'should' be listening to you. Some horses need just as strong a bit SJ as they do XC anyway.

My horse used to SJ in pelham but xc in a roller snaffle...then that didnt work so xc'd him in a pelham...worked for a while then tried a Myler combination...he's not particularly strong just tricky - I'm hoping we can try the roller snaffle again next season!
 
Don't see a proplem with changing bits for cross country. I show jump in a snaffle but use a french link when I go xc so that I have a bit more control at the technical fences.
 
I spent ages trying to ride XC in the same bit I SJ in (a KK Ultra snaffle) but whilst it was fine most of the time, if it was a particularly open type of course, eg accross fields etc, and he caught sight of the horse in front - well, total brake failure. So I swapped him into a universal gag, same mouthpiece etc, and because most of the time I ride with a light contact accross country, I don't even think he notices the difference tbh. It just means that if he does lose the plot and go into racehorse mode, I can check him enough in front of a fence to make a safe approach.
Its all very well saying they should be under control from seat/legs etc - mine is, most of the time, when SJ or even in a schooling session on a XC course, but I would like to see anyone try and keep him like that when he has a tail disappearing in front of him!
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Nope

If I can't do XC and SJ in the same bit I think I am doing something wrong. Don't get me wrong, I know there are horses out there that need a bit more in their mouths for brakes and steering, but I just prefer to have my horse listen to me, even if its a headcoller she should still stop or slow when I ask. (and I ask with my seat and legs so the bit shouldn't even come in to it)

[/ QUOTE ] Sorry but that made me laugh!!
 
Quite common to start them off xc in a snaffle of some sort which works fine until a season or two down the line...then they start to know the job and need a bit more.

I think if your horse needs a different bit for xc then theres no harm in it, a lot of the time its trial and error with bits anyway!
 
right that’s it I am off for a good cry!

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meanies

Seriously though I would rather rely on my horse being well schooled than slinging a strong bit in its mouth. But changing from a snaffle to a french link, if that seems to be what they like for that discipline seems fine to me
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maybe I am not typing right
 
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right that’s it I am off for a good cry!

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meanies

Seriously though I would rather rely on my horse being well schooled than slinging a strong bit in its mouth. But changing from a snaffle to a french link, if that seems to be what they like for that discipline seems fine to me
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maybe I am not typing right

[/ QUOTE ]So does that mean that all hores that have to wear something other than a snaffle for xc are not well schooled
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?
 
Nope but then I am lucky as my boy is so light in front. We change bits for my sisters pony (french link to pelham) otherwise she has no respect for the rider and flat out gallops at everything - no fun when you are approaching something that needs roundness/good steering/control!
 
gaahhh look you are still doing it, thats not what I mean't. This is about our individual horses and if I had to change my horses bit then she wouldn't be listening to me and it probably wouldn't make any differnce. And in the same breath I've ridden P2P horses that you wouldn't stand a hope in hell in anything less than a gag but will go in to the school in a snaffle and behave like dressage horses .

erm does that make it any clearer or shall I just give up now?
 
I think it depends on the horse personally. This is not particularly aimed at you Binkybex but I do get a bit annoyed when people imply that because you need a stronger bit for jumping this means that this says something about your riding or your ability to school your horse properly. I had a little Junior horse who did everything in a nathe snaffle, but the mare I have at the moment needs a gag for both SJ and XC as she is incredibly bold and just loves to gallop, and needs reminding that I'm in charge...
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My riding hasn't changed, it's just different horses need different things. It also doesn't help that I'm only 5'5 and just over 8 stone so I don't have a lot of weight behind me, and I would rather have something stronger that the horse respects than feel like I'm hauling away in a snaffle...
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Moon stays in a snaffle throughout. Boss used to go in a different bit in each discipline.

Binkybex- I'd love to see you school my intermediae horse to the point where you could xc im in a snaffle!!

I actually quite like my horses to take a hold xc, it shows boldness and eagerness. A good event horse needs to be a bit cocky and needs to take you on.
 
Thats exactly it : "different horses need different things", but I hate to see (And usually this is at lower levels) horses and ponies going round with something totaly unsuitable in their mouths. When you get to the higher levels of eventing people seem to know a lot more about bitting and have particular reasons for riding in the bits they choose. I'm sure having good hands also helps
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Oooooh bossanova I'd love too, don't think I could ever manage that but it would be worth it to have a ride
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I think I am having a bit of an off day on actually getting my point across, either that or you lot are having an off day on reading my posts properly
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I change mine, but he is in some form of snaffle for all 3 phases. He could do all 3 in a nathe, and has done, but I like the addiional steering my JP snaffle has, so use that for Sjing and XC...though hunting is a completely different story, and I think XC will be once he gets the idea...!!
 
I wouldn't know having never done XC!!!
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Have jumped a few small XC fences on a sponsored ride but that is about it - does that count?
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depends totally on the horse. ideally i'll use the same fulmer snaffle for all 3 disciplines, but i've had horses that needed more xc, and even a horse that needed less! totally depends on the horse's brain and attitude, not on schooling etc alone. no-one would say that Mary King's horses aren't schooled properly, but she's had some fairly major brakes xc over the years, out of necessity.
Blythe Tait said in his book that he wouldn't ride a horse xc if he couldn't hold it comfortably in a snaffle though...
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I use the same bit to SJ & XC (Dutch Gag with reins on the 2nd ring) & for Dressage we use a hanging cheek snaffle.
I wouldn't dream of jumping Pepper at all in his Dressage bit - you see me in a heap on the floor & Pepper galloping off in the horizon!!
 
What I hate to see more than anything is a horse that is overbitted and being hooked all the time and a horse that is underbitted and just staying within the boundaries of being safe.
XC is about rhythm and being safe so who cares what you use as long as you have those things.
 
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What I hate to see more than anything is a horse that is overbitted and being hooked all the time and a horse that is underbitted and just staying within the boundaries of being safe.
XC is about rhythm and being safe so who cares what you use as long as you have those things.

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I agree - well said lec
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so what would you do (as in the case of my horse) needs more schooling xc, but have no transport, so have to make do when someone else goes out, so do xc about once a year. knows other horses in front, in a snaffle, and tanks off. very hard to slow him down to go over a jump, and often just goes round them...
 
Couple of questions:

Does he jump nicely at home?
Have you tried him in a stronger bit, what and what does he do?
What type of noseband do you use?
Do you hack out in company and is he badly behaved when you canter, can you keep him behind the other horse?
 
he does jump ok at home, but does have a tendancy to run out.

Once rode him in a pelham. no problems.

normal cavesson noseband.

He is fine out cantering in company - used in riding school, so well used to it
 
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