I've been advised to change bits - help!

saltpetres

saltpetres

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Hi all, I'd love some advice!
I've been told that I need to change bits on my boy by three people now - today it was a riding instructor (not my riding instructor, just *a* riding instructor) so I think maybe I should take their advice. My boy is a 19yo ex-eventer, clydiexTB, so he is strong and solid. He has a beautiful soft mouth doing flatwork, but he can panic badly, especially hacking. I've recently started jumping him, which he LOVES, and is very relaxed and happy doing it, but unfortunately he rushes and pulls quite a bit once he locks on, and he also has his head in the sky doing his best giraffe impression almost all the time, even when relaxed. He still goes over nicely, he just thinks he knows best! I know this is a schooling issue, which we're working on (one of many issues, lol, does anyone remember my last thread? I'm the panic rearing girl :p mini update: he's improved HEAPS, still a mad thing on trail rides but toned down a lot, schooling he's magic, whoever suggested the magnesium, I think it might have been FfionWinnie, BLESS YOU, BLESS YOU, I LOVE YOU, you may have literally saved my life :eek: )

We did a tiny wee bit of XC schooling today (my riding club had a fun day, they were weeny jumps), and while he loved it and I loved it and had him pretty well under control the whole time apart from a little rushing, he must look like he's pulling on me quite a bit because I was told I should change his bit. Admittedly, this lady has seen him go completely off his lolly on a hack more than once, so that may have something to do with it! :p
My last horse pulled like mad 100% of the time so this one I barely notice compared, and I think that's my problem, I'm just not realising he's being a bum and pulling more than the average horse. I've never ridden any horse in anything other than a snaffle, just never thought about it as a kid :o but after today, I feel like I do need a little more control.

He's just in a loose ring single jointed snaffle currently, but the RI said I should put him in a miracle gag - I've since googled them and it doesn't sound like the bit for us AT ALL, plus it has a head raising action which is the last thing we need! It takes a lot of work to get his head down at this point, last thing we need is an elevator, so I guess most of the gags are out...?

So, should I change his bit, if so should I go for a kimblewick or a pelham perhaps, as they're not going to raise his head? I've never ridden with two reins, but am happy to learn if it means I'm not using unnecessary force all the time, just if I need it, it's there? I think I've got fairly light hands, but can be strong if I need to be.

Or should I try a different kind of snaffle, something just a tiny bit stronger, different mouthpiece, or perhaps just change the noseband? I really don't want to use more force than needed. He's in a cavesson with a flash at the moment. I know that essentially it's a schooling issue but wouldn't mind making a change if it's going to make us safer and better off :)
 
I had a kimblewick for my old cob who was a bit strong and it worked very well on him. If I was you I would try a non-loosering snaffle first then progress to hanging cheek etcetc. Work your way up the "milder" bits until you get to the bit that works. Straight from snaffle to Pelham might make the horse freak out. My tb nearly reared in a Pelham and he's never reared in his life.
 
I use what are classed as 'strong' bits with all of mine but I would rather have a stronger bit on the lightest contact than a 'mild' bit that is in constant strong contact.

I think with this it will be trial and error - do you have bit banks over there where you can 'hire' a bit to see if it suits?

A kimblewick is certainly one to try as it has the poll action and the ported mouthpiece does suit quite a few horses and doesn't need double reins. A Waterford mouthpiece might be another one to try - you can get a 3 ring gag with a Waterford mouth that might suit. I'd say borrow/try as many as you can until you find one that he likes and is happy in where you aren't having to have a constant strong contact to get him to listen.
 
I'd agree with a slotted kimberwick. If you put it on the top slot, you have the shortest shank curb ever, but that tiny bit leverage could be all he needs. My personal preference is for a mullen or tongue relief port rather than a broken mouth piece to keep the curb chain in the right place.
 
I would absolutely try a kimblewick. I have a very strong mare who had been through various strong bits with her previous owner and nothing worked for either of them. I have ended up with her in a Myler Kimberwick (slotted D rings) and with a high port and she absolutely loves it (well, obviously she hasn't said this but is going amazingly well in it!), we've been working on getting her into an outline for ages as she is a trotter x and had the nose in the air action when being trotted and all of a sudden she's in an outline in this bit! I have brakes too! I had her in a myler combination prior to this but wanted to change her out of this as it just seemed too severe (whilst it did work but I was worried about the pressure on her nose from the inbuilt noseband where she has quite an indent from a headcollar being left on her when she was young). I struggled to get a myler in the UK and hubby ended up getting it from Dover Saddlery in Texas for me when he was working over there (I think they deliver international?).
 
Any bit in the wrong hands can be considered strong and snaffles are not necessarily mild! I have all mine in sweet iron snaffles - American - much thinner than a UK snaffle and all my horses go well them, one of which used to lean on the bit, another chunked constantly on it and another was an ex racehorse, eventer that used to rear and chuck his head in the air when jumping - he used to be ridden in a waterford with a martingale! Some horses, such as cobs, often go better in a straight bar rubber pelham than in a snaffle because of their thick tongues - snaffles pinch their tongues! Its a trial and error thing but a 'stronger' bit won't stop the rushing as, being a flight or fight animal, they will either resist by putting their heads up to try and find a place where they can relieve the pressure, or try to run from the pain - so the next thing you know you are looking for an even 'stronger' bit, a tight noseband to keep your horse from opening its mouth (to try and get relief from the pressure/pain) and martingales - more resistance, etc., etc., until the horse becomes dangerous! You are doing the right thing by going back to school and I would look for an instructor that can take you back to basics - exercises over poles until your horse is calm enough to put them up as jumps, without anxiety - rather than an instructor that is looking at a quick fix!
 
Totally agree with Casey76 -avoid the style of mouthpiece on the bottom of her post.

I would encourage you to have a look at the myler bits, the one massive benefit I found was because of the barrel joint in the middle the mouthpiece sides work independently and I found steering was greatly improved (like a lightbulb moment with my mare as she suddenly understood what was being asked of her, even when she was having a stressy moment.

Here's a link to the sort of bit (various different ports available), they are more expensive but I'm a complete myler convert after the change it's made to my difficult mare (my friend has just recently swopped her two big troublesome lads into mylers too and also raves about them.
http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Myler_Kimberwick_Low_Port_Bit_MB_04_5/descpage-MKLPMB04.html
 
Casey76 said:
A port should be low and with a shallow curve - this will give tongue relief. A high or even medium port can dig into the palate and is very painful. anything which is square of nobbly on the bottom of the port digs into the tongue and is also very painful.

something like this would be good:
http://www.bluegrasshorsesupply.com/shop/catalog/low_port_uxeter_kimberwick_bit-206.html

and avoid things like this:
http://www.sstack.com/product/fes-low-port-correction-kimberwick-/
Click to expand...

Oooooooh good lord, the second one looks dreadful! Thanks very much!

Makemineacob said:
Totally agree with Casey76 -avoid the style of mouthpiece on the bottom of her post.

I would encourage you to have a look at the myler bits, the one massive benefit I found was because of the barrel joint in the middle the mouthpiece sides work independently and I found steering was greatly improved (like a lightbulb moment with my mare as she suddenly understood what was being asked of her, even when she was having a stressy moment.

Here's a link to the sort of bit (various different ports available), they are more expensive but I'm a complete myler convert after the change it's made to my difficult mare (my friend has just recently swopped her two big troublesome lads into mylers too and also raves about them.
http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Myler_Kimberwick_Low_Port_Bit_MB_04_5/descpage-MKLPMB04.html
Click to expand...

Beautiful, thanks so much for your help, everyone! :)
 
Makemineacob said:
Here's a link to the sort of bit (various different ports available), they are more expensive but I'm a complete myler convert after the change it's made to my difficult mare (my friend has just recently swopped her two big troublesome lads into mylers too and also raves about them.
http://www.ridingwarehouse.com/Myler_Kimberwick_Low_Port_Bit_MB_04_5/descpage-MKLPMB04.html
Click to expand...

I would avoid this Myler one, as it is a similar mouthpiece to the Myler snaffle I had, that snapped at the joint after only about 3 months of gentle use!
 
I also like a kimblewick. I use an elastic curb with my mare and I don't use the slots. That's enough to remind her for xc and anything she thinks is really exciting.

However I don't ride in it all the time.

If I were you I might try it for a few weeks then go back to the snaffle for schooling.

Work on making him lower his head right down to the ground almost, and when he kicks off out hacking, lower his head. You probably won't get it very low, but just lowering it a little with that sort of horse makes a big difference.

Glad the mag ox has made a difference. Are you feeding a large dose, I would be, since he must be deficient if he is better on it.
 
Yes no need to actually use the slots particularly but if you get one with they are there if you need them :). Ditto go back to the snaffle for schooling, we school in a snaffle but do everything else in a dutch gag :p because it makes for a more pleasant life all round.
 
FfionWinnie said:
I also like a kimblewick. I use an elastic curb with my mare and I don't use the slots. That's enough to remind her for xc and anything she thinks is really exciting.

However I don't ride in it all the time.

If I were you I might try it for a few weeks then go back to the snaffle for schooling.

Work on making him lower his head right down to the ground almost, and when he kicks off out hacking, lower his head. You probably won't get it very low, but just lowering it a little with that sort of horse makes a big difference.

Glad the mag ox has made a difference. Are you feeding a large dose, I would be, since he must be deficient if he is better on it.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's a good plan! I think he's just been allowed to get away with it before and needs a little reminder to listen to me :)
I've got him on quite a high dose of the mag ox, it's made a DRASTIC difference so I'll keep him on the high dose for a good few months I think. I've gone from being a bit terrified every time I ride him to quite relaxedly cruising round little XC courses in a matter of about 2 months! I'm glad I hung on to the belief that it wasn't his fault - he's definitely not a bad horse :)
I reckon a flyer needs to be sent to everyone who owns a horse telling them to put them on mag because most people don't seem to have even heard about how necessary it is!
 
I got good results with a Neue Schule trans angled lozenge universal on the bottom ring, bringing in some poll pressure for a strong half shire
 
Red-1 said:
I would avoid this Myler one, as it is a similar mouthpiece to the Myler snaffle I had, that snapped at the joint after only about 3 months of gentle use!
Click to expand...

I have two mylers with the same mouthpiece and my friend has one each for both of her horses and neither of us have had any issues with the joints on the bits, it may be you have been unfortunate with faulty manufacture.
 
FfionWinnie said:
Or a fake. I too have used lots of myler bits now and had no issue.
Click to expand...

Noooo, My Bad! It was a Neue Schule bit, with a similar mouthpiece that I had break. It was an expensive bit, and one of the "top 3" (Myler, Sprenger and Neue Schule) that were popular at the time.

Sorry Myler! Even so, after that incident I prefer bits that do not include a hidden joint, or ball and socket joint.
 
Red-1 said:
Noooo, My Bad! It was a Neue Schule bit, with a similar mouthpiece that I had break. It was an expensive bit, and one of the "top 3" (Myler, Sprenger and Neue Schule) that were popular at the time.

Sorry Myler! Even so, after that incident I prefer bits that do not include a hidden joint, or ball and socket joint.
Click to expand...

Lol, easy to mistake as so many bits on the market now. I've actually heard of a joint on a Neue Schule breaking so avoided them and found myler, just love their bits!
 
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