Flatwork hating horse and NS bits or similar?

[Sol]

Dante is officially killing my will to practice for dressage!
Though - I think part of it may be that I'm doing the same for him...

And I -do- feel bad about it, but I'm not sure what else we can do.

Anyway, to start, I changed him from his myler hanging cheek into a full cheek snaffle with a lozenge the other day that was lying around the living room with nothing better to do

Anyway, it did partially do what I had expected. He was much happier to bring his head/neck down and reach into the bit and his canter was also much better! However, his trot kind of went to peices, and he did try to lean on it a little - turning was also somewhat interesting!

Thinking of trying the NS Hanging cheek... but even if it works... more money! Is it really worth it, or am I better to look for just another hanging cheek with a lozenge? Does the make -really- make a difference? (though people do seem to love NS bits!)

Also, would it be a really BAD idea for me to not even think of doing any dressage practice, considering we have dressage on monday? Definitely jumping tomorrow, though we do have a flatwork lesson on friday, day off on saturday and planned to hack/jump on sunday? I think he's just getting bored though we can't hack much now and I don't like jumping too often :/ We also jumped today as flatwork was appalling and he was very good!

Sorry for this being so long, I just feel like crap and it seems like I'm putting in far too much effort and still getting nothing back!

Triple chocolate cookies if you made it even half way!

 

[BFG]

Can’t really help regarding the bit, but my lads flatwork improves no end when we jump and for some time afterwards too. I think sometimes you can both get bogged down with going round in circles.

I always school when i am jumping thought and my instructor is constantly bellowing "keep him in a shape" between fences.

 

[bethyboox]

I used to use an NS hanging cheek although my mare wasn't going so well, I changed to a happy mouth hanging cheek which she loves.
I think its a matter of finding whats right for your horse.
Sorry, not sure if I was much help there. Good luck

 

[kylie88]

you could try shop4bits.com they do a 30 day trail, im currently waiting for the Eldonian by Jeffries Revolver Hanging Cheek with Lozenge to try, they give it a very good write up.

 

[Sol]

BFG - I did notice that kind of the other day! One of the other girls was practicing jump off type turns on her pony and I felt like having a go - thinking we'd fail but try anyway! We actually managed it and after a few times I could really feel him taking his weight on his hocks, though previously I'd not tried thinking that because he was reluctant to do exactly that, we'd end up in a mess

So maybe that's the answer after all

Hmm, maybe will just have to trial one then! *sigh* Can see him being one of those that has expensive taste!

Thanks everyone so far!