Hunting bits! help!

madm167

madm167

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17 September 2011
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I have a 6 year old who I have taken hunting twice, I take him in a dutch gag on either hole 2 or 3 as he's pretty strong. The first it was a child's meet so mainly only trotted which he did fine, but when I went again Autumn hunting where we cantered and galloped a lot more I found I had literally no control, he threw his head up, went sideways and slipped all over the place which was very scary at flat out gallop! I could barely stop him and when I did he dragged his head down which completely unbalanced me. Has anyone had the same problem, and solved it using another bit?
 
i think if he won't stop to the point that he'll keep galloping when everyone else does , it would be safer not to take him - but if he will stop i would try a double or a cheltenham gag , with a standing martigale until he properly settles . I am very much in the group of its nicer to over bit then to haul their back teeth out. I use the combernation of a double and stand martigale on my over excitable arab , and it works great as i find the standing mart keeps him from really pulling me without being too restrictive:)
 
Great thanks. I will probably keep on hunting because he loves it so much, i just really need to find a way to be able to adjust his pace without him throwing his head up at me. Will deffo try standing martingale. Is the bit you spoke about just called a double or is a double something? Never heard of a double thats why i ask :)
 
Ah yes of course, why didn't I realise. No haven't tried a pelham but was going to be my next plan of action unless I find something better.
 
How about a stronger mouth piece and something with little to no leverage as that will just drag them in and you dont want or need to be unbalanced, how about a kimblewick with a curb chain or a bit with a waterford mouth
 
Kimblewick with waterford sounds like a good idea. I use a waterford for xc (where is is a lot less strong because he's not fighting to stay in the lead). With the gag i have the trouble of when i pull he just gets tighter in the neck, will the kimblewick not have the same effect?
 
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