Does he need a stronger bit? Yes/No?

[NU ABO]

My boy loves to jump, he loves it a bit too much and when he goes over a jump he pulls his head right down and almost pulls my arms out of my socket. Sometimes it screws up my own position as well, so as you can tell it's a bit of a problem.

He doesn't do it when he's just doing some flatwork, or really in canter in school.
He does it when cantering out, which is annoying, but he pulls up relatively easily so not a huge deal there.

It mainly comes to light with the jumping and if we're going to be doing cross-country this year I'm not big on being tanked off with around the course

So, as the thread title suggests, should I change his bit.
He's currently in a Neue Schule Tranz Angled Lozenge Full Cheek bit, and as I said works beautifully in it doing almost everything except jumping. Especially when he's all exciting about jumping as well

(oh, and while I don't think it's his teeth, the dentist is coming out in a week or so anyway for a check up)

 

[Sparkles]

I'd get him checked out to make sure, ie, his atlas, etc not out or similar. Just to rule that out.

Then providing there's no issues anywhere, then yes, not necessarily 'stronger', but something with a port to lift him and give him a bit of a reminder.

Is he doing it into the jump, or just really over basculing going over it?

 

[NU ABO]

He's mainly doing it into the jump, keeping his head low over the jump, then lifting it back up as soon as we finish the jump and go back into trot. Never ever does it trot or normal flatwork/dressage canter.

Just the canter into the jump, over the jump, then canter away from the jump.


Just had a mini bit research session and quite like the Neue Schule elevator bit. Was hoping for something a bit cheaper for the time being, but might look into getting that one eventually.

 

[Littlelegs]

I'd rule out it being a balance issue first but from what you've said it sounds more like over excitement. I'm usually all in favour of snaffles & more schooling but there are times when you just need something stronger. Don't think its good for either rider or horse to be pulling away at each other, so personally I'd go for something stronger. Mine was working medium level at home, can canter beautifully in a headcollar in an arena, but jumps in a dutch gag. It's really experimenting really to find out what works with yours, but I'd definitely try a change for jumping. And do lots of gridwork!

 

[Carefreegirl]

Ditto CS - sounds to be like something is uncomfortable as he's in the air if he's not doing on the flat.

I ride YO's in a NS hanging cheek lozenge and when we jump we use a dutch gag / 3 ring what name you prefer with the reins on the ring below the main snaffle ring. She just gets a bit strong and pulls so although she's still in a snaffle I just have a little bit of leverage which makes a big difference. I wouldn't want to go onto a 'stronger' bit as it were if schooling could help.

 

[NU ABO]

Yeah, I think I'm gonna change him onto a dutch gag for the jumping only (as I said, he works beautifully otherwise, his head carriage his gorgeous!)

I think we do need to do more jumping as well, so he doesn't find it quite so exciting everytime we do it.

I asked my instructor during the jump lesson and she didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with him, other than the fact he was trying to get control of the bit.

 

[Sparkles]

I'd still say there's some discomfort somewhere, he's anticipating something...plunging his head down is usually compensating something, as it's not making it easier for him to jump. I'm not saying some horses aren't just little buggers and do plunge their heads down as a learnt habit....but, I'd rather rule out pain first. Unless you're a chiro, there's so many things you wouldn't notice.

Rule out pain. Then if/when he gets the all clear, then move onto plan B which is bitting otherwise you're fighting a losing battle

 

[NU ABO]

Yeah, as I said, dentist coming out next week, could get chiro to come out at some point

At least that way, if it comes back all clear, I can justify spending more money on a higher quality bit.