Hunting Bit Suggestions - A little bit more control would be good!!

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icklemadame

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Hi everyone,

Just a query to see what everyone suggests really... I started last season hunting my girl in a eggbutt snaffle, which proved near on useless, and after trying various different arrangements (inc a waterford, a copper roller, and a kimblewick) and many hairy moments I eventually settled her into a three ring gag and a flash, which she seemed really happy in, I never really had brakes but it was better then any of the others, and by the end of the season I had kind of accepted I was never going to be fully in control!! She's a naturally fizzy mare, loves her jumping, and I don't want to tie her down and make her something she's not, I accept she's fast and out hunting she will always be even faster!!

Took her out on Saturday for the opening meet expecting her to be completely nutty, but she totally surprised me, once she had settled into it she was, at least for her, reasonably well behaved. We stood or at least just walked calmly in circles when we were waiting, and tottered along with the rest of the field, all be it with me occasionally turning circles when she sped up a bit too much - this allowed me to concentrate a lot more on what she was doing when she was being overly whizzy (which did happen, just more infrequently) and the few times I did feel I couldn't stop. When she goes she tends to 'tank', she puts her head down and takes the bit, and all I can do to stop is turn her in circles. So... should I leave her in the 3 ring gag and see how it goes? I feel its almost perfect but not quite... should I use the bottom ring maybe? (although I tried this and didn't feel it was quite right for her, I felt it was too constant a control if that makes sense) - or how about two reins on the 3 ring? and if so which rings? (I'm on the 2nd at the moment) I have been suggested a cheltenham gag - what are the opinions and should that be with one rein or two? Any other suggestions?

Sorry for the length of the question!! Didn't mean to babble on for so long!! Thank you & well done to everyone who got this far!!

Emily xx
 
Rather than use the bottom ring (I hate those 3 ring things) you could try an american gag, I find the happy mouth ones quite effective on many horses.
I like to hunt strong horses with two reins, often in a double or a pelham as then you've got the snaffle action for little tweaks when you're standing around and the leverage for the runs.
 
Before swapping bits completely, how about a curb strap on your three ring? Get a spur strap to try it, just do it up through the top ring of the bit. I found this worked really well for my boy who is a monster out hunting.
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My mare is exactly the same, she used to really pull her head down and go and all I could do is steer (well sometimes)lol.
I tried her in loads of different bits and nosebands and the only one that seems to work for her is a 3 ring waterford gag with roundings coming of the snaffle and second ring and a flash noseband! She is a completely different mare, she still has her moments where she canters everywhere sideways even when we are behind others that are walking but she is no longer like a train to ride and I can atcually come back from a ride with a smile on my face instead of feeling like I had just 5 hours down the gym.
I know it's a harsh bit but I would prefer her wearing this out hacking and xc then me having to pull on her mouth constantly as that cant be nice bless her!!
In the school or if we go on a road hack she just wears a full cheek french link.
 
I was going to sufggest an american gag too, Really effective when you need it only so your not constantly pulling. Used one on my old horse who was the srongest thing i have ever ridden and was fine.

Good luck Its horrible when you have no brakes out hunting, the other thing was where are you when you are in the group are you at the back? ( I found this) that can also make them strong trying to get to the front, See if you can go nearer the front? just a suggestion?
 
My new mare is incredibly strong and she is ridden in a 3 ring gag. I am taking her on Sat and will ride her with 2 reins, one on snaffle rings and the other on the bottom rings. This way I can ride on the snaffle rein but use the gag rein if and when I need it.

I have also found that some horses which are very strong go well in a double bridle. If you can cope with the knitting (which does get easier as soon as you forget you're riding with 2 reins) it works quite well.

I also find its much better to get them at the front because they aren't always fighting to get there. Much better to be at the front!!
 
My pony used to get his head down and go, we now have him in a Cheltemham gag for xc schooling and pony club. Tt's fab, if he tries to get his head down, I can stop him from doing it. It's good becasue it's a snaffle until you need some brakes and it turns into a gag!
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If you had tried a 3 ring gag and your horse had gone from leaning on the bit and tanking off to throwing her head up everytime you put pressure on the rein(s) what would you try next???
I had thought a waterford snaffle would be the answer as it makes her lighter in front, but she has starting throwing her head up to evade this too....any suggestions??
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Thank you everyone
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I like the idea of having two reins, most of the time she is fine and I'd prefer to not be too harsh on her, but every once in a while I get that sinking feeling... especially as I am always at the front of the field and therefore if she decides to add that little bit of extra speed we end up sailing past the field master and having to circle and apologise
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I'll try riding out in the next couple of days in both the curb strap & two reins in the 3 ring, as well as a cheltenham gag that I managed to borrow today, and see how she is... thank you so much for all your help
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I had my boy in a 3 ring gag for last season, but this season he seems alot keener, and i found that it was rubbing the sides of his mouth and getting really sore. I bought a cheltenham gag, but realised before using it that its going to have the same action as the 3 ring, so have borrowed a rubber straight bar pelham- gave that a go on tuesday morning ( autumn hunting) and had brakes! yipeeee, with little to no extra rubbing on my boy's sore mouth. So we shall invest in one of these me thinks!
 
I had no brakes out hunting in a full cheek waterford so have ordered a 3 ring waterford and plan to use 2 reins.....if it ever arrives I'll let you know how we get on with it!
Interesting tip about uusing a curb too...thanks
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