HORSE BITTING

[AnnaPK]

Hi all,
just looking for bitting advice my boy is currently in a snaffle and in my opinion its working really well in terms of control ect so im not really looking for anything weaker than that as he can be strong out hacking. In the school he really overbends in trot mainly. I have only had him for 4 months and he was in a snaffle with a copper roller when i bought him so that’s what i bought. He will trot over ent even when trotting on the buckle. He is in a grackle sand seems to really like it. What bits do people recommend and is there somewhere i can try them out?? Xx

 

[SpeedyPony]

If he's only overbending in the school in trot, it sounds like it might not be the bit that is at fault if he's happy with it in other gaits/situations and particularly if he does the same thing with no contact/pressure on the bit.
I'd be inclined to look at what might be changing to make him overbend at the trot- eyes on the ground are ideal for this- either someone experienced, or someone that can video you so that you can look over it (ideally both!).
A lot of the frame comes from your seat rather than hands, so it might be worth spending some time on a loose rein finding where the buttons are for changing that, in walk initially and then translating it to trot- it could be that he is picking up on something you are inadvertently asking for in trot but not other gaits.
Does he do the same thing on the lunge or only under saddle? Tension/stress can cause them to curl up, if he is struggling to relax in trot that might be causing the overbending. Finding the reason for the tension is another matter of course, which is where another set of eyes is very handy- it could be he is distracted, the saddle fit, previous schooling, pain/discomfort, a lack of strength on the tight turns- any number of things, many of which are easily fixed when you can pin them down.

 

[Kaylum]

Have you had his teeth checked? Whats his bridle look like? Does it fit well? Seen some pro rider photos last week of bridles far too big for the horse.

 

[AnnaPK]

Have you had his teeth checked? Whats his bridle look like? Does it fit well? Seen some pro rider photos last week of bridles far too big for the horse.

Bridle has been fitted by a profesional its a comfort grackle. The dentist came about 1month ago, no issues.

 

[AnnaPK]

If he's only overbending in the school in trot, it sounds like it might not be the bit that is at fault if he's happy with it in other gaits/situations and particularly if he does the same thing with no contact/pressure on the bit.
I'd be inclined to look at what might be changing to make him overbend at the trot- eyes on the ground are ideal for this- either someone experienced, or someone that can video you so that you can look over it (ideally both!).
A lot of the frame comes from your seat rather than hands, so it might be worth spending some time on a loose rein finding where the buttons are for changing that, in walk initially and then translating it to trot- it could be that he is picking up on something you are inadvertently asking for in trot but not other gaits.
Does he do the same thing on the lunge or only under saddle? Tension/stress can cause them to curl up, if he is struggling to relax in trot that might be causing the overbending. Finding the reason for the tension is another matter of course, which is where another set of eyes is very handy- it could be he is distracted, the saddle fit, previous schooling, pain/discomfort, a lack of strength on the tight turns- any number of things, many of which are easily fixed when you can pin them down.

Hi, my trainer mentions he pulls a bit with his shoulders in trot and canter to not use his hind end effectively as it is weaker. Im not sure on training methods as i have had him 4 months. He is totally fine on the lunge but the saddle fitter came out only a month or so ago and he was all clear ( the saddle is new for him as well so I know it fits well) xx

 

[Kaylum]

Can your trainer suggest a bit for you to try?

 

[SpeedyPony]

Hi, my trainer mentions he pulls a bit with his shoulders in trot and canter to not use his hind end effectively as it is weaker. Im not sure on training methods as i have had him 4 months. He is totally fine on the lunge but the saddle fitter came out only a month or so ago and he was all clear ( the saddle is new for him as well so I know it fits well) xx

It might be worth asking your trainer for exercises to improve this- there are also plenty of resources for groundwork/schooling to improve horses balance online- marijke de jong does some YouTube videos on exercises for improving straightness and strength and I seem to remember @sbloom on here recommending balance through movement training?

 

[Griffin]

You could try Horse Bit Fit because they will come out to assess your horse and you can try several bits within a couple of hours. It's really interesting to see which bit actually suits your horse the best.

 

[AnnaPK]

Hi all,
just looking for bitting advice my boy is currently in a snaffle and in my opinion its working really well in terms of control ect so im not really looking for anything weaker than that as he can be strong out hacking. In the school he really overbends in trot mainly. I have only had him for 4 months and he was in a snaffle with a copper roller when i bought him so that’s what i bought. He will trot over ent even when trotting on the buckle. He is in a grackle sand seems to really like it. What bits do people recommend and is there somewhere i can try them out?? Xx

Hey! Just been pointed out to me very helpfully that I should update with my vet findings which was two of his spinal bits (sorry vets) where too close as well as fluid found in his hocks! He has had a back and two of his hocks injected and i will update if there are changes found