Help! I need advice on a bit for a strong pony.

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foxyroxy1

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Hi, I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas for a bit for my 6 year old daughter's 11.2 shetland x fell. SHe is a really well behaved little mare and does all pc activites etc and fab hacking. However, typical head strong in her breeding i guess, she pulls and leans terribly on her little arms and hands when cantering in fields etc. Tilly does her best but without strength Storm inevitably wins. We have tried....hanging cheek snaffle then added the flash but it was like string in her mouth, then a 3 ring gag but no difference. We have her in a little straight mouth pelham at mo, only 1 rein pelham with chain. And this seemed to work for a while but today was worse than ever for leaning and pulling. As I say she has regular lessons, teeth etc... but she still does it. Anyone any ideas please! thanks
 
Try stopping with one rein rather than two so that the pony can't brace against the bit and pull back. It takes the power away so there is nothing for the pony to pull against.
How about a myler combination?
 
There's a useful article about myler combination bits here: http://www.horsebitbank.com/myler-combination-bit.shtml. Basically they are a combination between a bit and a hackamore so they have a number of a pressure points including the nose, tongue, bars, curb, poll and lips which spreads the pressure from the (single) reins. If the pony likes it you might get better communication than with a normal bit. Being a myler, it has independent side movement so you can move each side of the bit completely independently of the other so you will also find that your steering is better with that than with a straight bar pelham. It is also nicely shaped to allow for their mouth conformation so it is more comfortable to wear.

With the one rein stop, I think it works with any bit or even a halter. I was riding my Welsh D today and she was getting in a panic needing to get back to her friends, quite out of character, and I was able to stop her from a gallop in a rope halter by pulling on one rein. Obviously if I had pulled on two reins I wouldn't have had I hope of being able to stop (today not even in a bit!) and I am 5'6. You do need to teach it though and it is best to start from walk then trot and canter in an enclosed space so that it becomes second nature to your daughter. I think it is a useful thing to have in your toolbox, so to speak, for when you need it, whatever tack you have on.
 
I would be VERY wary putting a myler combination in the hands of a 6 year old, however talented :eek:

Fave bits for extra strong ponies are globe pelhams or kimblewicks, bit old fashioned but can work really well without cluttering up a pony's face.
 
Would a worcester noseband help? Also having her bridge the reins so pony pulls again it's self, Poor little mite, at six they can't usually keep holding the little buggers back for long. My little ones *****land would get strong after a weeks break, not for long though so we just had her bridge the reins until it was over. Hope you get it sorted out soon.:)
 
Kimblewick worked with my girl when she was 6 on a strong little sec A - also are the teeth checked? Only ask as after a few weeks of fighting with this same sec A when we first got her, dentist was called out & the poor thing had massive hooks - she was leaning on the bit to try & 'unhook' them xx
 
I was always told that pelhams especially straight bar encourage leaning :confused:

I'd suggest a Wilkie or a jointed kimblewick (old skool :cool:).

The one rein stopping is the best 'weapon' in a child armoury - use to have a pony that very very rarely would want to get back to the lorry half way around a cross country- a brace and heave could stop her in a snaffle where the previous owners had tried all bits.

Good luck!
 
Thankyou some food for thought there.
Definatley try the one rein idea...and had heard about the pelham encouraging leaning.
I do use side reins quite short but felt quite sorry for the pony really, but think they'll be going back on.(I get the 'i dont need them ' line!)

Sounds daft but what is bridging the reins?

Thought about a wilkie but are they less strong than a pelham? What about something with rollers???

Teeth being done (yearly check up) next week so we'll see what he says.

thanks everyone
 
foxyroxy1 said:
Thankyou some food for thought there.
Definatley try the one rein idea...and had heard about the pelham encouraging leaning.
I do use side reins quite short but felt quite sorry for the pony really, but think they'll be going back on.(I get the 'i dont need them ' line!)

Sounds daft but what is bridging the reins?

Thought about a wilkie but are they less strong than a pelham? What about something with rollers???

Teeth being done (yearly check up) next week so we'll see what he says.

thanks everyone
Click to expand...
Sometimes less can be more with bits, not that its stronger just a different action so pony might go better with a wilkie rather than a pelham. Theres the bit bank online so you dont have to spend a fortune on buying loads of bits.
 
Thanks for all your help on here. We hunted yesterday and the pony was in a 3 ring gag, and side reins on the snaffle just to stop the pulling. Worked fine, we were out for about 2 hours and had a ball.

:):)
 
Twisted snaffle can work well on a leaner. They aren't sharp these days, the twist makes them difficult to lean on or get hold of.
 
I hadn't even heard of them until last weekend I saw one at a tack sale, wish I'd bought it now. Will keep a look out for another, always worth a try. Thanks
 
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