Help - bitting advice needed!!

S

sfward

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 June 2007
Messages
1,214
Location
York
Visit site
Hi,

I'm a new user and having been really interested to read some of the posts on here I thought I'd register to see if I could get some advice myself! I have a 4 year old mare (she will be 5 next month) who I bought in Feb. She's lovely and works consistently into the contact, but I find she leans on the bit quite a lot despite my best efforts to ride with light hands - often i feel if i let go her head will hit the floor!

She can also be quite heavy in the left hand and I find most bits slide through her mouth and end up with more showing on the left side. Until recently I rode her in a Neue Schule lozenge with fulmer cheeks; she gets particularly strong jumping and tends to run through my hand, I was appalled recently to find that the bit had actually rubbed the corner of her mouth sore, so I've now changed to a rubber single-link snaffle with cheeks in the hope it will be kinder, but she still leans and gets very strong, particularly in canter.

I know a lot of this should hopefully improve with training, and I'm planning on starting to use a Pessoa to strengthen her behind and lighten the forehand as she is so powerful behind at the moment being immature it kind of drives her onto her forehand! But in the meantime does anyone have any suggestions for bits that might help with the leaning and not slide through and rub her mouth?

thanks!
 
im no expert on bitting but i have posted many times about bits on here and what ive learnt from these posts is that usually if a horse is leaning people would possibly recommend a waterford. You can get these with full cheeks too. I think youre correct in thinking schooling would help with most of this but if she hasnt had her teeth checked recently it may be worth getting the dentist out just to be sure.
 
Hi, thanks yeah I've read quite a few people mention about the Waterford, it may well be an option for jumping in - I may wrong but it's not dressage legal I don't think?
Suppose could use it to school in at home though...
 
As always, check teeth before you even think of doing anything else. Assuming you've done that, get a few lessons - even with just a knowledgable friend - to watch what you're doing together. Assuming you've done that...
Maybe avoid rubber mouthpeices, I've often found that a horse will "lean" on a heavy mothpiece when they won't with a light one. Try a happy mouth, or if you can get hold of one, a hollow mouth. I used to have a racing snaffle that was so light horses seemed to float above it!
Try and avoid going "up a gear" in the mouth of a baby because, as you say, education will eventually solve most your problems, and you don't want to have to try and come "back down" again if you can avoid it!
Lots of people swear by KK bits, Sprengers etc. - I've never had the money to try it, but I know loose rings and sweet iron will do the trick with some horses and not others.
Ultimately time, patience and schooling, as you already know, and you'll stay in a nice, mild simple bit.
In desperation, I have found a copper roller stopped a horse "diving" on me and pulling my arms out!
 
Hi thanks for your comments, I'm having her teeth looked at tonight so hopefully that will show up any problems. The bit is basically identical to a Happy Mouth, probably rubber was an inaccurate description! I did get a Sprenger on loan to try, it's a lovely bit but the one I tried which was an eggbutt (I worry about loose rings pinching as bit pulls through) with curved mouthpieces and lozenge link was only 14mm diameter, just wondered whether that might be a bit keen and exarcerbate the rubbing problem? Obviously in an ideal world the contact should be light enough not to worry about this but given that she can be so heavy I wondered if a thicker weight bearing surface might be kinder until i can school and strengthen her out of leaning... any thoughts?!
I have lessons with a very good trainer so I will definitely be getting her advice too!
 
I wouldn't personally use a waterford in this situation (and also you're right its not dressage legal)
Firstly she is a very young horse and this is a common problem. I've spent 2years trying to get Rocks off his forehand as he leaned so much, and now he goes beautifully in a KK french link. Other people on here will give you more bitting advice than i can but i would say don't put anything complicated or harsh in her mouth - often the simpler the better i've found with Rocks!

Schooling wise, lots of upwards transitions when she leans but also loads of lateral work - this really brings rocks up and elevates him.
 
It sounds as if she is leaning because she is on her forehand and it is abasic shcooling problem which will resolve as she becomes more balanced and is able to carry herself
 
Hey guys, thanks for the comments; I agree I'm going to stick with my happy mouth snaffle - can't be doing that much wrong as she just won a prelim test and came second in a novice on Friday! Went SJ in it yesterday as well and she was fine.

What does anyone think about XC bit for a bit more leverage? i have a bubble bit to try but not convinced she likes it. Would a hanging snaffle give a bit more control do you think?
 
Hanging snaffles work on the same principle as a normal snaffle but with the added pressure on the poll. Alot of people like to use a gag for jumping as there is so much adjustment in them, you should find there is a setting to suit you and your horse. They are alot stronger though so it might not be right for you as your horse is still young. I agree with the above, lots of upward transitions etc. I also find if you have a hill nearby that isn't too steep with decent going, if you collected canter down the way it will lift the horse up off the forehand. Only do this though if you are confident that you can control and maintain a good collected canter and the ground is not too hard or slippy! I found with my old horse that if you can get them working properly like this, then you can stick with the bit that you're using for SJ and that your horse is happy in. Hope that helps!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top