Hunt ride need more braking.

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Carlosmum

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In an effort to give pony some thing to interest him, I am taking him for a 'hunt-hack' at the weekend. Normally I ride him in an a frenchlink eggbutt snaffle & cavesson nose band, but I am thinking I might need a few extra brakes as he is not used to being in a large group apart from a show ring
The choice I have available is a waterford cheek snaffle. A 3 ring Dutch gag, or a loose french link pelham. Which bit would be the best option? I would like a bit more control should he decide to blindly follow the leader and forget about me on board.
 
My mare is hacked out in a headcollar at home, schooled and jumped in a snaffle, but the minute we leave the yard for anything that involves going fast I pop her in a 2 ring continental gag (one ring less than a dutch). She gallops long so it just gives me a bit more 'up' with some brakes.
 
A Pelham was my normal go to for anything exciting but it depends on what your horse is likely to do, if it's stick his head up it could help if it's put his head down it probably won't. I used one on farm rides and he was fine but out hunting he stuck his head between his knees and I could not lift it nor stop or steer. Next time out in a Dutch gag he was a million times nicer but I'd want to check beforehand they don't object to the action.
 
gunnergundog said:
In order to be compliant your hunt should be dividing the hack up into groups of six so no need to worry about large numbers.
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at one point it says 30, then it says no more than 6, so we shall see!I think they are having a filed master for every 30 riders but you cant hang together in groups of more than 6?

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
I would strongly suggest that you need to try out whatever you decide upon before the Big Day....... if there's a few chums around and you can get together for a hack, I'd be inclined to ask if you can go for a little hoon-around so you can see what works best.
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Sadly, this is not possible as I keep him at home with no other riders availble. I may be overthinking his reaction, but I would rather be prepared than surprised!
 
Carlosmum said:
at one point it says 30, then it says no more than 6, so we shall see!I think they are having a filed master for every 30 riders but you cant hang together in groups of more than 6?
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Is this the Bicester & Whaddon Chase ride? If so, it is groups of five with an escort....max 30 riders booking in the day. It's at Purston Manor where I used to keep my horses years ago - should be a lovely ride.
 
Otherwise said:
A Pelham was my normal go to for anything exciting but it depends on what your horse is likely to do, if it's stick his head up it could help if it's put his head down it probably won't. I used one on farm rides and he was fine but out hunting he stuck his head between his knees and I could not lift it nor stop or steer. Next time out in a Dutch gag he was a million times nicer but I'd want to check beforehand they don't object to the action.
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This.

I would certainly want to work out whether he would respond best to the gag or the Pelham but definitely would want 2 reins. I like being able to ride on the snaffle whilst knowing that I have the back up of the curb rein.
 
As others have said go for something with two reins. Then it’s not too much with the main rein and the curb can be brought in if needed. I have a Cheltenham gag as she’s ex polo and ride on the normal rein with an “insurance” rein if anything exciting is happening.
 
Update, I rode him briefly with the gag and 2 reins yesterday all went well so that was my bit of choice. All ready to go this morning but the toe-rag pony decided to be particularly difficult and still hadn't loaded after 2.5 hours, by which time I think the hunt hack would have finished! So I spent the afternoon sulking on the sofa, tried again to load about an hour ago. The bloomin animal walked straight in and asked where we were going. He looked very pleased with himself.

So if anyone knows how I can present a 'we're not going anywhere attitude ' to him when I do need him to go somewhere I'd be very pleased. No amount of practice works cos he only refuses when we are going out! I must be giving off the wrong vibes.
 
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