Help with Bits??

[emily.connie]

I am getting this amazing thoroughbred on full loan and currently he is on a regular happy mouth snaffle. The owner of the yard rode him and told me that he has no respect for his bit and needs something metal. I am looking into doing dressage with him but he has a martingale on. I was wondering if there are any 'legal dressage' type snaffles that could maybe keep his head lower so I won't need to use his martingale. His owner says she keeps it on because he can get strong and when I rode him he wasn't strong at all.
I was thinking of a hanging cheek snaffle but I don't know what joint to get in the middle. Or maybe a Wilkie?


What's you're opinion on these?
Do you suggest anything else?

 

[blitznbobs]

Wilkies aren't a snaffle nor are they dressage legal. Tbh it's schooling that engages the hind thus changing the head carriage ... Many people just throw a martingale on without needing one so see what happens if you take it off... I hate the phrase - not got respect for [a bit] , a bit is a signalling device if the horse is well schooled it doesn't need respect for a bit, it could be a piece of cotton in its mouth. Try getting a good dressage instructor and get them to look at the horses mouths conformation thus choosing a bit that suits the horse. I personally am a fan of ns bits but that's probably because it is what suits my 2 at present ...

Ps dressage is not about lowering a horses head - watch Valegro in action his head is by far the highest point of his carriage... And he seems to be doing ok