HELP WANTED ON BITS!!

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fuzzle

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Ive just bought my new horse, she is strong but sensible, when i went to see her she looked unhappy in the mouth , i asked if she had her teeth done they said yes. soon as i got her home i got the vet out as i felt they were not right they was badly sharp which had cut into her cheek causing ulsers i had them all rasped and a week off for her to recover.

Just started riding her and i just don t know what bit to put in she is avoiding the bridle tried kk bit she is not reponding at all and a continental 3 ring gag with leather d rings and still have no breaks any ideas of what i should try, i have chewed a soft mint and put it on the bit to make the bit a pleasant experience for her but she is avioding the bit and even though i have some control its just not enough. Will be greatful for any advise. thankyou!!!!:)
 
Start with a flexible straight bar rubber snaffle and see what happens. They only cost about ten pounds. Hopefully she will let you take a contact in that so you can work on the schooling to improve the brakes. Apart from that all I can suggest is you play around with mouthpieces until you find out what she likes and dislikes. A French link is different to a bit with a lozenge in the middle, there are vulcanite or metal mullen mouth snaffles, a kimblewick without the curb chain is basically just a snaffle with a straight bar ported mouthpiece. I'm guessing you've already tried a single jointed bit. Loose ring bits help keep the bit mobile in the mouth and avoid the horse fixing against your hand, eggbutt bits keep the bit still which is good if your hands are wobbly or if the horse tucks chin into chest to avoid the contact. The right bit is a combination of what the horse likes in its mouth and your riding style. Be aware that if you use a bit with an action that's too harsh the horse can run off from the pain and then the more you pull the faster they'll run. Start simple with snaffles and only progress to gags or pelhams if you need to.
 
Id try her in a nue schule starter or team up bit, put some bit butter on it and keep her in walk in the arena on a loosish rein until she looks to find the bit and takes the contact from you. What noseband do you have on her ? While doing this please try her in a plain cavesson.
Ride her from your seat, core, legs and voice on a fairly loose rein, letting her seek the contact and take it forward, this may take ten minutes to a couple of sessions but itll be worth it in the end to help her become confident in your hand. Stop her with your seat, core and voice with the lightest of squeeze on the rein, if she still keeps walking, ask her as you come to a corner using the fence rather than a stronger hand. When she is responding well stopping in walk, put her up to trot, still on a loosish rein, again asking for a downward transition by first slowing your rise, then sitting, asking for walk with your core, breathing deeply in and slowing the movement in your seat and sucking up your core, using your voice and a gentle squeeze on the rein to walk, then keep it again to halt. If youve a field you can work her in to change the scenery until you get the brakes in place for hacking, id use that rather than risking having to take a strong pull and undoing what youve got.
Get a good instructor to help you put your brakes in place, taking time just now should pay dividends in the future. Good luck :)
When she does take the contact, keep it light and help her work long and low, build in some lateral work before moving to canter when she's confident in your hand
 
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