HELP!!!!!!!! Bitting Advice

[Hattikins]

Well i've had Hattie in this bit :

http://www.doversaddlery.com/happy-mouth...-01676/cn/1464/

for everything pretty much since we got her in februrary. However now she has learnt that fast is fun

and i just cant hold her together sjing in that bit and she just gets longer and longer and im guessing its going to be useless for xc too now she enjoys going faster!!!!!!!

so today we took her sjing and tried this bit:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-HAPPY-MO...=item7239138973

but she just ran straight through my hand as it were and totally ignored it!!!!!

(jumped nicely though - but you can guess who had control of the situation!!!!!)

at the end of the eventing season we put her in this with roundings for sjing and xc:

http://www.doversaddlery.com/happy-mouth...-01664/cn/1464/

but it was too strong at the time and we put her back in her old bit because she just wouldnt go forwards in it so i couldnt take up any real contact.

so the question is- where do i go now bitting wise??? do i go back to the 2ring and see if she accepts more now, do i keep that same happy mouth double jointed mouth piece and try a different action ie pelham etc. - but what?? or do i try a metal bit?? im a bit stuck and not very sure where to go now because there are soooooooooooooooooooooooooo many bits and trial and error is just going to take too long if i do it without a bit of guidance

all i know is that i want to never let her think she can get away with p*ssing off with me so we need a bit that suits her fast before she gets too above herself!!!!!

Thankyou all for any help

xxx

 

[Ferdinase514]

I've found the same problem with the 2 ring, in the past. End up bouncing on the spot (or sideways

)

How about a vulcanite pelham?

 

[CrazyMare]

Maybe a pelham of some description but always with two reins, or try the gag again but with two reins so a more seperate action can be achieved.

I know from personal experiance with my mare I can't stop in a pelham with roundings but with two reins shes fab!!

 

[Hattikins]

hmmm ok - the only thing i have against two reins at this minute is that i really DONT want to take a youngster xc with two reins - especially as we're a pretty new partnership and im only 15 and have a lot of learning to do and experience still to get under my belt- it probably wouldnt be the best idea to send us xc with two reins cos its a hell of a lot of knitting if something doesnt go quite to plan

any other ideas??

 

[CrazyMare]

Maybe a Kimblewick with a leather or elastic curb? If you could find one with a vulcanite or similar plastic mouthpeice, as it has a slightly different action.

Try calling PJ at BitWorld, shes fantastic or Heather at Neue Schule Bits

http://www.neueschulebits.com/

http://www.bitworld.co.uk/

Both very knowledgable if you explain your dilema

 

[Hattikins]

ahhh thankyou!!!!!! thats brilliant

 

[KatB]

Will second Bitworld!

May be worth going down the metal bit route, and Neue Schule and Mylers are bot easily accepted! ALlthe bits you have tried are relatively mild, something like a hanging cheek Neue schule tranz link may work well, or a Myler snaffle with hooks gives a bit more of a direct action?

PJ at Bitworld is lovely though, and tehy hire out all metal bits for trial

 

[Hattikins]

ok well ill try them

thankyou for the recommendation

hmmm i have a feeling a hanging cheek maybe too mild but we'll have a go and see!!!!!!

 

[Meganrose]

Bitworld a great place to start. My mare has to have bit changed every so often as she gets used to one and then ignores it or grabs hold on one side. Found changing it and keeping her guessing works for me. Snaffle one time, 3 ring next and pelham last and then back to beginning. Don't know her history as she came from dealer and originally from Ireland. Big chunky cob who has a mind of her own but is mainly kind. Likes to mess about if you don't take charge.

 

[icestationzebra]

I don't think I would want to take any horse XC with two reins - I know I would get into a complete muddle! I always had Ice in a happy mouth - he used to get too strong in a jointed snaffle XC, I tried a 3 ring and he just backed off it or jumped hollow. We compromised on a nathe pelham with roundings - the mouthpiece was straight but wavy if you get my drift?! I have also used it on my WFM and she is strong but with a soft mouth - works a treat!!

 

[CrazyMare]

I forget that I'm so used to double reins it doesnt phase me hunting or XC in them! Been riding in pelhams and doubles for so long it almost feels strange when I first pick up the reins in a snaffle!

 

[Hattikins]

hmmm sounds like a good idea, maybe a pelham would be a good compromise with roundings if the mouth piece was softer

ahhh there are soooooooooooooooo many bits out there i really dont know where to start!!!!

crazymare: i really should get used to riding in double reins - ive only ridden in them on the odd occasion but its a good thing to be able to do - just dont think me and double reins and a large chestnut mare on a xc course would mix too well!!!!!!!!!