Kimblewick or Dutch Gag or other?

[LankyLucy]

Son's pony is quite strong - not fizzy at all but leans and pulls when doing crooss country. Son is 11 and can hack and showjump safely in a loop ring snaffle but we need to have more control for cross country. Was thinking of changing to a Kimblewick or perhaps a Dutch Gag - what do you think?

(He has lots of lessons and does lots of schooling exercises but pony is 18 and very set in his ways!)

 

[HenryandPeta]

I had this problem with my 17hh part shire! The Dutch gag made him throw his head (pinching and pain issues I think) and I was having issues bringing him back down and under me. I asked the question at the Your Horse Live event and the great and wonderful Mary King advised a mullen mouth pelham - and it works wonders!! I use it with a rein loop and single reins for hacking and jumping, and Henry schools in a snaffle.

 

[bex1984]

I've just had problems with my pony putting his head down and tanking off and was going to try a kimblewick. Before trying that though, I'm trying a loose ring cherry roller snaffle, which is going OK so far as he can't lean or pull on it.

 

[jumpthemoon]

I'd say it depends what your pony is doing to make him so strong. Does he put his head down and take hold of the bit, tanking off, or does he throw his head up and leap around excitably and charge off that way? Or does he do something else? You need to take this into account when selecting a bit so that you get the right action to deal with the problem.

 

[Diane_Pepper]

sounds exactly like what my pony used to do.

he goes really well in a dutch gag, but all horses vary don't they!
never had any problem with it pinching him!