First Time Jumping In TT Bit Report

ShowJumperBeckii

ShowJumperBeckii

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Sorry for so many threads... i ill stop i promise :o
Anyway, as some know i got a TT from a mate and was just doing flatwork in it and today i dieced i will tried and jump in it see how it goes, started amazing actully calm and control trot over a x pole a few times then a canter over it and then bigger upright and still going great :D
then added the small grid of tiny x poles.... and thats were we get excited, one jump is ok, but more than one jump is soooooooooo exciting you see, she took off 2 strides early for the 1st jumped all them 3ft bigger than neeeded :rolleyes:, me hanging on some how....... we had head in the air fighting.. im being so gentel.. as im told this bit can be harsh, but as gentel as im being shes got her head up again... put the jump up to 1.05 put pulled out as she fighting the whole way to it and i thought its not worth it for me or her, put the it down again jumped it and left it on a good note...
kinda miffed off as she was going so nicely in it for flatwork
i think maybe the leverage was just a bit too much :confused: or shes just being a pain in the bum :o
ever bit i seem to try she leans on it or runs though it or doesnt like the leverage/pole pressure... maybe ill stick stick to the gag until something comes alone....
also had an idea of trying a standing martingale with a snaffle... as her head seems to be in the clouds when jumping but.... TT off the list..... shame :(
shoot me down.... i know you will ;) but control is nice :(
 
A standing martingale might be worth a try but you need to be very careful if you are going to jump in one.

To be honest I think your problem isn't really the bit but the schooling, and I think you would probably be best finding a bit that Ebs is happy with on the flat and working from there. Changing bits all the time is going to unsettle her too if you aren't careful, and I think you need to learn to half halt through your body not your hand and she needs to learn to jump from a nice steady rhythm rather than rushing. I think the best investment would be some decent lessons with a good experienced instructor. I'm sure if you ask someone will recommend someone suitable.
 
This really ought to be telling you something. It's NOT the bit which will give you control. She needs retraining. I must have said this about a dozen times, although you have carried on your own sweet way and guess what? STILL you are having these issues. I'll say it again. STOP JUMPING. Get your flatwork sorted and for goodness sake leave her mouth alone. Please.

KristmasKatt your suggestion would be merely adding to this pony's woes, discomfort and unhappiness. The problems are in her head and on her back - no gadgets will sort them out.
 
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Have you tried a pelham rather than a gag, if she raises her head? Dante would do half a jumping lesson ok in his snaffle, and spend the other half buggering off at gallop. It wasn't fun, safe, or getting any better, so I asked my instructor about using the pelham, she siad try it and we didn't look back as it at least made him stopable!
However, I HAVE to use it with two reins. Roundings make him go vertical/backwards/skywards generally! So yes, you can also have too much pressure and it cause as many issues!

Another great bit of tack rather than a bit is a Kineton noseband. I love them :) I usually use mine with a doubt jointed full cheek snaffle and fleece noseband sleeve, and a running martingale, for jumping/XC (this is what I will try with Dan in the new year when we restart jumping, hopefully!) if I can :) The kineton works on nose pressure and takes some pressue off the horses mouth which they tend to like it seems!
 
Sol said:
Have you tried a pelham rather than a gag, if she raises her head? Dante would do half a jumping lesson ok in his snaffle, and spend the other half buggering off at gallop. It wasn't fun, safe, or getting any better, so I asked my instructor about using the pelham, she siad try it and we didn't look back as it at least made him stopable!
However, I HAVE to use it with two reins. Roundings make him go vertical/backwards/skywards generally! So yes, you can also have too much pressure and it cause as many issues!

Another great bit of tack rather than a bit is a Kineton noseband. I love them :) I usually use mine with a doubt jointed full cheek snaffle and fleece noseband sleeve, and a running martingale, for jumping/XC (this is what I will try with Dan in the new year when we restart jumping, hopefully!) if I can :) The kineton works on nose pressure and takes some pressue off the horses mouth which they tend to like it seems!
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Yeah iv tried a pelham and it was too strong... sound like ebs, ^
ohh mayybe ill look into it :) thanks alot x
 
Agree that you need to school her into not rushing. No amount of metal/gadget will help you and you'll soon end up climbing up the ladder of bit strength and getting no where. The height of the jump wont be the be all and end all of everything :)

Get some lessons with a reputable instructor and leave the jumping until she is listening consistently on the flat.
 
The kineton's almost a bit kinder in a way than a stronger bit :) They used to be used on race horses/hunters and the likes I think? But horses don't seem to fight them the same as the bit (at least, none that I have seen/ridden in one)

Yes, schooling is important, but safety is equally important. I had a horse that at first I found a bit too much jumping, and the kineton was good for us, and at some stage I managed to take her out with the hunt in just a happy mouth hanging cheek....! Her schooling was fine, as was another of my ponies who needed an american gag - some just go!

You've already posted that you're looking into a BS accredited instructor? which is good, and I think I'm about as sick of people hounding you as you must be! At least you understand that your horse isn't happy in the TT! Keep going with the schooling and try not to get too disheartened. And do try to get some lessons when you can, failing that maybe some good books/DVDs for xmas on jumping/schooling? :)
 
Kao said:
*headdesk*
I wouldn't be suprised if you had a Myler Combination on her next. Control and it looks good...win win :rolleyes:
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LoL - you don't know much about Mylers do you? They can be really really kind, most people find them far too mild for strong horses.
 
DON'T put the jumps up until she's happy. Keep them small for a session or two (I mean, 2ft9) and get her thinking. You bought the TT with the rings on the mouthpiece didn't you? She may have taken umbrage to that as they can pinch, as I've said before.

Out of interest, what's her mouth conformation like? She may suit a certain mouthpiece, but it's hard to say without taking a look inside her mouth :p

Honestly, when it was going perfectly, I reckon you should have quit there and gone back to schooling for half an hour or something, so you don't make a big thing of it, the 'good' jumps were the ones she remembered and she finishes the session doing what she's comfortable with, as from what you've said, her schooling is coming along.
 
dieseldog said:
LoL - you don't know much about Mylers do you? They can be really really kind, most people find them far too mild for strong horses.
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Oh hun. ANY bit can be kind and you really don't get the sarcasm, as posted above the problems are on the horses back. I'm pretty sure even the perfect people like yourself can make a snaffle harsh. In between farting butterflies and glitter of course.
 
Oh I forgot to say, have you ever tried her bitless? You compete in seniors so it's no problem. I don't mean a hackemore, I mean a Dr Cookes of Micklem. We had a pony very similar, and the best she ever went was in a plain headcollar with reins attached! You literally couldn't stop her otherwise she just set herself and TANKED. (She is fine now, took a while though) She went brilliantly in a DrCookes, but we had to persevere with a bit as you can't use bitless on ponies :mad:
 
Kao said:
Oh hun. ANY bit can be kind and you really don't get the sarcasm, as posted above the problems are on the horses back. I'm pretty sure even the perfect people like yourself can make a snaffle harsh. In between farting butterflies and glitter of course.
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Gosh you are a nasty piece of work. I got that you were bullying the girl - or is that nowadays called sarcasm?
 
Yeah... im trying but i want to get xmas out the way ect before i get an instrustor again...
So after xmas ill go back to having my lessons so yes, but its nice to find out that she wasnt happy in it. like id rather change it to something else that have her go around in something thats not for her

erm her mouth quite skinny.....and smalll :)
 
RR, me thinks you need to start from scratch with bitting... assess the mouth conformation and find a mouthpiece that suits, then consider any extra influence like poll action, nosebands or curbs.
How about booking a bit advisor from somewhere like Neue Schule to come out to you and help you choose the right piece of kit?
And I wouldn't go for standing martingale - the thought of it for jumping petrifies me :eek:
 
dieseldog said:
Gosh you are a nasty piece of work. I got that you were bullying the girl - or is that nowadays called sarcasm?
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Really. If you read the OP's other threads you'd find that actually this problem has been addressed too many time to count.
Advice from here to the high heavens to the pits of hell has been given and still the problems persist.
When people clearly show ignorance, then intensity the ***** I do not give gets bigger. It really really annoys me at the fact people have tried to help and it's always the horse that's suffering because of the OP's ignorance.

That's all ;)
 
She's a welshy isn't she? They tend to have quite fleshy mouths, ie they seem almost squidgy on the inside, yes? She may well have found the rings on the mouthpiece a bit much. Have you tried something like a KK Ultra? I would try one with a thinner, smooth mouthpiece. A lot of people say a thin mouthpiece is cruel, but IMO if they have a small mouth it's not comfortable to fill it to the brim with metal either!

Or, you MAY find if she's leaning/running through, a waterford would work, but as I said, if she has a small mouth she may find it too much.
 
Ohh, i was thinking bitless, but didt say anything as i would get shot down even more i bet ;) but were would i borrow one? i know a girl that was the same had no change at striding horses rushed and went soo well in a bitless.. so maybe if i could borrow one...
Yeahh that sounds a good idea too, getting one of them out after xmas they will know what they are talking about it
i know im not that keen either but if it works? x
thansk
 
JessandCharlie said:
She's a welshy isn't she? They tend to have quite fleshy mouths, ie they seem almost squidgy on the inside, yes? She may well have found the rings on the mouthpiece a bit much. Have you tried something like a KK Ultra? I would try one with a thinner, smooth mouthpiece. A lot of people say a thin mouthpiece is cruel, but IMO if they have a small mouth it's not comfortable to fill it to the brim with metal either!

Or, you MAY find if she's leaning/running through, a waterford would work, but as I said, if she has a small mouth she may find it too much.
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x tb :)
Yeah never heard of it but will look at it :)
no tried a waterford and we didt go far :rolleyes:
 
When she throws her head up, does it come above yours? and well up out of control?

Only saying as my last horse wasn't in an outline when he jumped - he jumped better off a loose rein with very little contact (no poles down since last june - guess when I found what works for him :p)

It could be because at some point you may have caught her in the mouth over the jump (we all do it at one time or another) and she could remember the pain - therefore by evading your hand (head in clouds) she can release the pressure on her mouth. Try jumping her on a loose rein, until she sees that you are not going to jab her :)

Ps. You should get her teeth checked :)
 
Well, my first thought was a nice, thin NS Verbindend...
But I would get a Neue Schule person out with a full range to try out, as otherwise it will cost you a fortune in postal rental charges, not to mention time, hassle and the bit itself.
I would see if she goes well in a Starter or Team up, if not, then either Verbindend or Universal.
 
martlin said:
And I wouldn't go for standing martingale - the thought of it for jumping petrifies me :eek:
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And this ^^ An instructor I once went to (note the past tense) decided to tie my running martingale, very tightly, to pony's noseband and promptly stuck a (Frankly huge, or at least for a 12 year old on a 14hh) jump.

Very scary mistake, he went very, very white as he saw pony VERY nearly make a Jess pancake on his arena surface, before we crashed into a fence. :eek:
 
Kao said:
Really. If you read the OP's other threads you'd find that actually this problem has been addressed too many time to count.
Advice from here to the high heavens to the pits of hell has been given and still the problems persist.
When people clearly show ignorance, then intensity the ***** I do not give gets bigger. It really really annoys me at the fact people have tried to help and it's always the horse that's suffering because of the OP's ignorance.

That's all ;)
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I'd actually find that the OP (despite a few issues initially on the forum) has listened to what people have suggested and on the whole seems to be doing better for it.

Good things come to those who wait..
 
RudolphsRider said:
Ohh, i was thinking bitless, but didt say anything as i would get shot down even more i bet ;) but were would i borrow one? i know a girl that was the same had no change at striding horses rushed and went soo well in a bitless.. so maybe if i could borrow one...
Yeahh that sounds a good idea too, getting one of them out after xmas they will know what they are talking about it
i know im not that keen either but if it works? x
thansk
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When we bought ours, Dr Cooke did a 60 day free trial :) It's very gentle, lovely for them, pony (who enjoys stargazing) Never once tossed her head or put it up :D
 
Yeah, will it be alot of them to come out? :p iv heard alot of great things about them bits, adn tehre the only ones i havent tried, you seen teh price ;) lol but if had someone to show me who knows what there on about as you said it will be better than me ramdomly picking one
Yes right up, like the fence she will fight to rush to it with her head up high :/
and she does go nicer when you gentel and a tad looser but then learns she can still go fast like this.....
 
Don't jump in a standing please! I've had too many could have been very nice horses who were ruined from jumping in a standing!! Sorry its one of my big pet peeves.

I thought she was going well in a snaffle anyway? Why change it again?

If she throwing her head in the air I would be asking myself why is she doing it? Is she in pain are you jabbing her in the mouth or perhaps your too hard in your hands which she does not like? Or maybe in a previous home she has been jabbed in the mouth a lot and its force of habit to throw her head up to avoid pain.

Perhaps try canter poles after and before the fence to get her concentrating. May sound crazy but ever tries her in a rubber snaffle? Also if she is throwing her head up in the air a Dutch gag will bring her head up as its an elevator bit so re-think what your putting her in.

Was you riding in the TT with two reins or one?
 
JessandCharlie said:
When we bought ours, Dr Cooke did a 60 day free trial :) It's very gentle, lovely for them, pony (who enjoys stargazing) Never once tossed her head or put it up :D
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Maybe this is worth trying? before any bits?
at the end of the day she may not be happy with something in her mouth and thats what shes running from? < silly i know but its an idea :) x
 
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