Hunting in mind- what bit recommendations for a hyper Thoroughbred?

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QueenDee_

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Hack her in a normal snaffle, but shes on her own or has to canter in front because otherwise she goes bronco (hmm...should be interesting when we get out hunting!) and can pull when she gets excited, so just wanting a bit more 'control' really. Was thinking about a dutch gag and dropping it to the 2nd ring, but my PC instructor always gives you grief if you use one without roundings (as they are mean't to be used if not with 2 reins) so should I risk it and hope she isn't out, use roundings, or what other bits do you recommend? Or just brave it in a snaffle? :D

-Elena
 
Sorry - nothing useful to add but I'm watching with interest as I have the very same question for my 'lively' TB mare! We have a 3 ring gag, and put the reins on the bottom ring for XC - doesn't always work tbh, she just chucks her head up and down. Although I suppose as she's not tanking off with me when she does that, it could constitute a success :D
 
Swirlymurphy said:
Sorry - nothing useful to add but I'm watching with interest as I have the very same question for my 'lively' TB mare! We have a 3 ring gag, and put the reins on the bottom ring for XC - doesn't always work tbh, she just chucks her head up and down. Although I suppose as she's not tanking off with me when she does that, it could constitute a success :D
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My mare does this too when she gets excited...gets quite annoying when she is tossing her head about and yanking your arms all over the place :rolleyes:
 
I don't really like the 3 rings as you do tend to lose your steering. Having said that it was the only bit that would actually slow my mare down out hunting - other harder bits (pelham etc) made her sit right behind the bit.

If she is normally snaffle mouthed, how about trying something like a snaffle with fixed cheeks and copper links? that has worked on some that get a little hot. Also when hunting my old mare I cheated in an open field by taking said mare right out to the edge of the field - so we were behind the huntsman but she had nothing in front of her - does that make sense? and when going in a string I just kept her going. My old boy was the same about not allowing anyone in front but after 2 (OK slightly hair raising rides) he got the idea and would let someone go in front.
 
how about a hanging snaffle? would that give you enough extra?

I hate dutch gags with a passion, but that's just me as I know a lot of people have good success with them.

but also consider your feeding and exercise regime - if you can then exercise her well (twice a day if necessary) in the week or so before hunting, and cut her feed down as far as you can whilst keeping the fibre content high.
 
I tried my cob in a 3 ring dutch and it cut his mouth (never happened to us before and I have quiet hands) now trying a slotted kimblewick with ported mouth piece and so far so good. Has stopped throwing his head up and is alot more comfortable x
 
Hello, I had the same problem with my mare, she had a snaffle when I got her, we have tried various combinations of bits and nosebands, to achieve breaks and control, and the combination I have her in now with great sucess ( so far :) ) is a happy mouth bar snaffle with no noseband - she is so much happier and chilled, so in her case less is better :)
 
JenHunt said:
how about a hanging snaffle? would that give you enough extra?

I hate dutch gags with a passion, but that's just me as I know a lot of people have good success with them.

but also consider your feeding and exercise regime - if you can then exercise her well (twice a day if necessary) in the week or so before hunting, and cut her feed down as far as you can whilst keeping the fibre content high.
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-points to siggy- tryina get a neue schule one so I can use for schooling too :rolleyes: as for riding shes being ridden every day (I get back from school at 6:15 so its a rush to get home and usually end up riding home in the dark!) feed wise she just has half a scoop of build-up and a pan of chaff
 
missed the sigg :rolleyes: but you're about there with that then!

as for feeding - Ron hunts once or twice a week on a scoop of alfa a oil, a scoop (before soaking) of speedibeet and a mug of balancer each day, plus adlib haylage. If he starts to drop weight then he gets full fat soya, but I couldn't tell you the last time that happened! He is IDx and quite a good doer, but not a true fatty.
 
Try a snaffle first. You say it broncs in company behind but are you totally out of control? Personally i don't like the idea of over bitting ex racers, especially without giving them a fair chance first. I have hunted a few all in snaffles. :)
 
she ups and downs a lot condition wise, so far she has been able to live off air this year, but its around now that she suddenly tends to start dropping, so keeping a close eye on that! Will probably start feeding sugarbeet once it gets colder and have been hearing good things about that alfastuff...whats it like? ;)
 
winterhorses2 said:
Try a snaffle first. You say it broncs in company behind but are you totally out of control? Personally i don't like the idea of over bitting ex racers, especially without giving them a fair chance first. I have hunted a few all in snaffles. :)
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Thinking of starting autumn hunting in a snaffle, my friend has said she'll stick with me if it all goes wrong! :rolleyes: she never raced though, was too slow :D try telling her that though! :rolleyes:
 
Do report back please :D

Mine is on Alfa-A Oil, salt and calmer and that's it during the summer plus hay during the winter, and she does really well.

Will think about trying the hanging cheek as well....
 
I'd be inclined to try a Kimblewick or an Uxeter - at least with th eUxeter you can increase the strength a little by using the lower slot.

I loathe Dutch Gags, seen so many horses throwing their heads around when its used. The hanging cheek is a milder bit than an ordinary snaffle so would not work.
 
I'd go for a Kimblewick, preferably the Uttoxeter Kimblewick with the slots. Great bits for strong horses whilst doing fast work, especially if you don't want to use two reins.
 
Elena said:
will have a look into these, they are just one-reined right? :o
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Yep that is the beauty of them, designed to use with one rein unlike a gag or pelham. And the curb gives you an additional pressure point. If you use the uttoxeter one you can either slot or not put the reins through the slot at all.

Having the reins not fixed through the slot is milder and then the lower the slot the stronger the action.

You can get different mouthpeices either ported or unported.
 
I used a ported kimblewick hunting and XC with my old horse and it gave me so much more control. It really suited him but I do think a horse will either love or loath a kimblewick.

I like the idea of the snaffle with copper rollers or waterford snaffle.

Its probably best to try her in her normal bit first, maybe stick on a flash/grackle and a martingale to give you more control and think about stronger bits if that doesn't work?
 
KristmasKatt said:
Yep that is the beauty of them, designed to use with one rein unlike a gag or pelham. And the curb gives you an additional pressure point. If you use the uttoxeter one you can either slot or not put the reins through the slot at all.

Having the reins not fixed through the slot is milder and then the lower the slot the stronger the action.

You can get different mouthpeices either ported or unported.
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Just googled them and they look quite good, but having never had a bit with a curb chain before i though ones with a curb were quite severe?:confused:
 
They are typically considered more severe than a snaffle, but then so are gag type bits.

Having said that you can't really put bits on a ranking of severity as they have different actions and different horses have different preferences and different evasions.

Have a read up on the way that different bits act and how they work and decide for yourself.
 
For my old horse very highly strung scatty moments TB i used a Myler comfort snaffle with hooks, It worked wonders. Try as he often did he never got away from me (straight roads are gallops are they not?) but seemed happy and relaxed in it aswell. He used ti throw his head round quite violently in all other bits i tried- all gentle bits i never tried anything harsh.
I would recommend Mylers anyday.

Good luck with your hunting- nutter!!!
 
Hi i'm new to this forum literally just joined! I thought I would post as I have an Andalusian type gelding (don't think he's pure bred though was imported from Spain) which can get very excited jumping. I've always had him in a french link snaffle and this year found that he was fighting me all the time when jumping! I thought about putting him in a stronger bit to gain some control but I actually found doing the opposite has worked wonders!

I put him in a Happy Mouth with a roller in the centre and haven't looked back he's more settled, much easier to control because he's not trying to fight me anymore. :) Just thought maybe it would be worth a try for your TB or maybe even a Happy Mouth gag would give you that little bit of extra control but still be settled?
 
What about a peewee bit?

Not tried one myself yet, but have heard others say it is good.

Have just bought one off ebay and am waiting for it to arrive.
 
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My boy came in a Uxeter Kimblewick, hard rubber bit with port. He is forward going but not silly. He was always hunted in it. I am not sure if I really need it as so far he is nice to ride and hacking out was always easy to stop. Might try snaffle soon but when I go hunting in a few weeks time I leave the Kimblewick on :D

Very interested in hearing how you like the Peewee "myhorsefred". Keep us updated on that one. I was looking at it too.
 
KristmasKatt said:
I'd go for a Kimblewick, preferably the Uttoxeter Kimblewick with the slots. Great bits for strong horses whilst doing fast work, especially if you don't want to use two reins.
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Uttoxeter is the town - Uxeter is the bit - similar in design to the Kimblewick but has two slots in the D ring. You can increase the action by using the lower slot. A Cambridge mouthpiece is the best type as it allows room for the tongue.
 
Evelyn said:
Uttoxeter is the town - Uxeter is the bit - similar in design to the Kimblewick but has two slots in the D ring. You can increase the action by using the lower slot. A Cambridge mouthpiece is the best type as it allows room for the tongue.
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The bit is named after the town, as I understand it, and it is spelt that way in the old horse books I have. Pony club rules refer to the Kimblewick with slotted rings as a Uttoxeter too.
 
Elena said:
Hack her in a normal snaffle, but shes on her own or has to canter in front because otherwise she goes bronco (hmm...should be interesting when we get out hunting!) and can pull when she gets excited, so just wanting a bit more 'control' really. Was thinking about a dutch gag and dropping it to the 2nd ring, but my PC instructor always gives you grief if you use one without roundings (as they are mean't to be used if not with 2 reins) so should I risk it and hope she isn't out, use roundings, or what other bits do you recommend? Or just brave it in a snaffle? :D

-Elena
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Why not get a pair of roundings if you need to?

Try the following for bits, you can try and then buy...

http://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/
 
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