In hand showing turnout for a strapping young gelding

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Blitzen

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I have rooted out my boys in hand bridle from last year and it doesn't fit him very well any more (buckles on the last hole, so fits as such but looks rubbish), and more to the point it really doesn't suit him!
He has matured a lot over the winter (now 16.1hh, with 9.5 inches of bone), and we have been debating whether he is a lightweight maxi cob or a hunter type. His babyish shoulders and length of leg have me leaning towards hunter at the moment, with the view that his shoulders could easily chunk up a lot more in the next few years.
So I tried pulling his scruffy mane (he HATED it!), and ended up using an Oster rake which hasn't done too bad a job, and at least now it is plait-able, be it 17 or 19 to make them small enough!
Last year he was fluffy with feathers and a little baby face, and his narrowish noseband suited him. This year, especially with his forelock up out of the way, he looks far too grown up for it. I have a plain hunter bridle, with a nice thick noseband, and he looks fabulous in it.
So my question (after the long winded explaination) is, as a 3 year old, is he awfully incorrect in a ridden bridle?
If not, what bit should I use with it - loose ring snaffle with coupling chain and leather lead, or straight bar pelham with double reins over his head?

(I can't put on any pics of the boy I'm afraid, as I'm on my Blackberry, and don't know how to do it!)
 
When I did in-hand hunters the professionals would always use a normal bridle for 3 year olds, sometimes a snaffle with a coupling and lead, sometimes a pelham or double with double reins (always a plain nose and browband to suit the head). Remember, both the handlers and the horses would be professionals and they had been taught to wear a double properly so not as bad as it might seem; most horses loved to chomp on them so had moist mouths and the bradoon rein would always be the one held for control.
An in hand bridle was just for up to 2 year olds.
 
If he were mine I'd use your hunter bridle, loose ring snaffle and a three way link (unless he is bitted well enough to actually put pressure on his bit)

You can buy inhand bridles with flat nosebands (Fylde for certain make one) but tbh I wouldn't bother shelling out given that he'll be a ridden horse soon


I do think there should be a picture of him for us to oggle thought ;)
 
Thanks everyone! That's what I was thinking Maesfen - a pelham would look smart, and as its only a straight bar he would be happy in it, if I'm only using the top reins for control and holding the bottom set slightly looser. If I do decide to go with the pelham - is a lip strap correct?
Jess - if you can tell me how to get a pic on here using my blackberry I'll pop a couple up!
 
Laura-C said:
Jess - if you can tell me how to get a pic on here using my blackberry I'll pop a couple up!
Click to expand...

I wish I knew! I think there is a mobile version of photobucket that you can upload to but I wouldn't know for sure. I'm not that great with technology, I'm getting too old to know how to use things now days! :eek:
 
I showed my three year old in a normal bridle last year with a three way coupling with a snaffle. Personally, I wouldn't use a double/pelham at his age.

He's lovely, I'm not sure what type I'd have him down as after those pictures. At first I was thinking not a cob, but after looking again I could see the potential... Definitely not a heavyweight hunter at 16.1hh he'd be drowned in there. Most will be 17hh plus. Maybe a mediumweight if he stays plaited? I'm not very up on coloureds but would CHAPS classes be an idea for him, whilst you decide what he is?

If I were you I'd just pop the noseband up a hole to get a smarter finish, can you get the plaits any smaller as well without increasing the number? I like his markings, nice and even :)
 
Thanks Gina, yes I just don't really know where he fits in yet! His mum is a cob of unknown breeding, and his sire is a huge handsome Irish cob, so hopefully in a year or 2 he'l be chunky enough that I can hog him and have him as a lightweight maxi cob, lol
Yes, the plaits are awful! I did them quickly to give the general effect, I'll be able to get them tighter and neater with more time and practice. His bit was too low in his mouth, too, and his noseband is squiffy where he rubbed his nose on me - it was a bit of a slap-dash affair this morning! Not the most altogether of photos, but you get the jist!
 
Agree with Gina entirely. He's a very nice sort but right in the middle of classes!

There should be two fingers width between the top of the noseband and the lower cheek bone but it does all depend on appearance; I'd go so far as to say your noseband could do with being a bit thicker anyway to make the most of his head. If you keep him plaited then mane needs to be a good bit thinner to make them tighter and maybe a few fewer too.

You should have some fun with him in coloured and local classes while he decides to grow into his potential whatever that may be! For my money, at present, I'd say he'll be a maxi cob eventually but am quite prepared to have egg on my face for that!
 
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