Help, head melted. WHAT type Fulmer for young horse

[showpony]

So horse currently ridding in a plain snaffle - we have some turning issues ( mare is very twisty if that makes sence ) & are working hard on straightness etc - & instructor agrees we need to look at different bit to see if any difference.

So brain fried, want to try a Fulmer but there are so many I dont know which one to go for - going to hire from Bit Bank so I can try a few if necessary.

Any suggestions please??? Want to get one ordered so its here for the weekend.

 

[milliepops]

If you are going to hire one, I'd give the bit bank a call and discuss. I hired a bit from one of the companies a couple of years ago and they were really helpful to talk over how the horse went, problems we had with the contact, it's breeding/head confo etc. I ended up with a bit I would never have tried, which suited the horse very well.

(I tried a low port myler snaffle - I'm not suggesting this for your horse, it's just to illustrate the point, previously the horse had been in a gag, so quite an outside-the-box suggestion from them )

 

[Pongwiffy]

You could try single jointed fulmer & keepers - the fulmer with loose rings You can get ones with slightly thicker curved mouth pieces.

I like these because the mouthpiece is very stable, reducing unwanted movement which gives the horse a steady contact to work into.
The single jointed gives independent side action but the full cheeks & curved mouthpiece reduce the nut cracker action
You get a bit of extra play from the loose rings in comparison to an eggbutt, but with no risk of pinched lips

If your horse seems uncomfortable in a single joint you could try a french link version.

Otherwise you could try a basic full cheek bit which still help with steering but has eggbutt cheeks. You can also get full cheeks in a wider range of mouthpieces e.g. copper, happy mouth, rollers, lozenges etc.

 

[Ilovefoals]

I ride my youngster in this http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product.php?xProd=166&jssCart=26a2befdcb832ead53873bb3fe8f6b12 which he goes nicely in. If she tends to lean, I'd go with the loose ring type like this http://www.tackdirect.co.uk/prod_show.asp?prodid=3368 which you can also get with the lozenge in the middle. They are less fixed so less easy to lean on. Hope that helps x

 

[CBFan]

I would ALWAYS go for a french link mouthpiece and have had my boy in just a french link full cheek snaffle with a narrow mouthpiece and keepers which really helped with brakes and steering. worth a try

 

[FfionWinnie]

If the horse is going fine in the bit other than steering just get a fulmer the same type as what she has. My 4yr old mare cannot have anything to fiddle with and hates a French link / lozenge type bit. She has a curved single jointed eggbutt fulmer with keepers currently because she cannot stand the bit moving in her mouth. I also have it wrapped in bit wrap. If you wanted that bit let me know as I found it for 12.99 and free postage if you spent 15 (so I bought a fleecy girth cover!) which was by far the cheapest online

 

[Tash88]

I ride my 6 y/o in a fulmer waterford with a copper mouthpiece and he goes beautifully in this, he likes to have something to play with in his mouth though so would probably always go for a french link, a waterford or something with rollers.

 

[*hic*]

If horse is fine with the bit except for turning then stay with the same mouthpiece.

 

[showpony]

She also tends to lean alot..

[/B]

If horse is fine with the bit except for turning then stay with the same mouthpiece.

 

[Tash88]

If she's leaning as well then the waterford could help, although keep your hands soft (not saying that they aren't already!)

 

[*hic*]

Ah, that information would probably have been useful in your OP! In that case I'd either go with what your instructor has recommended (and if he/she hasn't made any suggestions I'd change instructor) or, as the first person to respond, said phone the bit bank and ask their advice.