Help with horses bit (needing a new one!)

[PonyFeet10]

I'm writing this on behalf of a friend who owns a 15.3hh heavy built Welsh Sec D. We've tried Snaffles, Pelhams, 3 ring gag, and he's now in a double bridle which just isn't working.

The main problem is he is very hard mouthed and the fitter he is now getting (being brought back to full work) the worse it's getting. When he's in canter he has a tendency to set his neck and head low, lean on the bit and just tank off with you, another problem is also steering.

I personally think the poll pressure off of the Pelham, 3 ring gag etc is way too much for him so he needs something which will give good brakes, steering and minimal poll pressure combined which he isn't going to lean on. Also the steering is ok with the double bridle as the snaffle does that job but just not enough brakes with it! Any suggestions?? I know this one might be tricky.. But any help is much appreciated.

 

[ThePony]

From what you have said it isn't so much a problem with what is in his mouth, more that he leans. A horse leaning on any bit will make it incredibly hard to stop. I would concentrate on schooling (perhaps with an instructor for your eyes on the ground) to bring him off his forehand. Transitions transitions transitions!!! Until then giving and taking when asking him to slow up, as well as using your core and bringing your shoulders back, will be much more effective, than doing anything more 'holding' with your hands as all that is doing is giving him something to lean on and prop himself up on - you just can't brake with 1/2 ton of horse on the end of your reins!!

 

[charliejet]

Providing the horse has had teeth back saddle etc checked and has no soundness issues then schooling is the answer not a stronger bit.

I am not anti stronger bits and I ride my own horse in a pelham but not for brakes!

There could be any number of physical reasons for this horses behaviour so please get him checked out first before resorting to another stronger bit and then if all clear then get some lessons and work on his schooling.

Dont mean to sound harsh but have time and time again seen this sort of situation and then heard later that the horse had a physical problem.

My own horse went through a period of shooting off and a check by the dentist revealed a splinter of tooth under her gum. He very nearly missed it as well even though he was looking for it so not always easy to find a reason.

 

[Funkyfilly024]

I have sympathy with your friend , I too have a welsh d who was brought back into work last year, everytime I got on him, literally my bum would touch saddle and he would bomb.
I bet your friend is going to hate hearing this but no bit will do all the work, it might help but only persistent schooling will sort it.
I now ride mine in a slotted kimblewick generally although he will school in a snaffle too. I actually found that the heavier the contact and stronger the bit the more he would try and run from it.
The only way is to take it back to basics, too many people that get on mine think that beacuse he is forward they need to be strong with him but actually i started riding him with very light hands (because anything else would send him off crazy!)
He learns now he has to listen so that he can pick up lighter hand commands. At the end of the day a stronger bit will only make a hard mouth harder.

Having said this I found he hated the action of a jointed bit so from now on its mullen mouth or a low port.

Try a different mouthpeice, my welsh D gets poked in the roof of his mouth by the single joint bit,maby your friends would like a cherry roller to play with to help him accept the bit and they are also harder for them to get hold of?
I would suggest a full cheek (to aid steering, used with keepers) cherry roller (multiple roller one) + more schooling !!
Charl xx

 

[PonyFeet10]

Thanks for your replies I will pass them on to his owner! I think she's looking to do what ever it takes to get him right as he's just not listening to her when she asks him to slow down. His saddle fits him well but I should imagine he will need his back checking and his teeth will be done in the very near future as she said today she wanted them doing.

Thanks again, I will let you know the outcome, wether it be a physical problem, schooling problem, riding problem or bit problem