Major biting problems - all advice/experiences/help appreciated

[hannahtpfidler]

I have been eventing my 15hh mare for 8 yrs. Until the end of last yr I managed her in a tom thumb gag but she got too used to it.

She is incredibley strong and has a low head carriage xc and uses her shoulders against you! She is on the forehand and difficult to stop especially down hill.

Currently running in a happy mouth chelt. gag as she hates stainless steel bits and can be fussy in her mouth!

Any help welcomed!!

 

[DollyDolls]

Perhaps a kineton noseband might help.
http://cotswoldsport.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=324

 

[only_me]

or a waterford? would stop her leaning on you.

 

[CrazyMare]

What is she like on the flat? Is she on her forehand then?

If she is, I'd do alot of work to get her to strengthen up and take more weight behind - plenty of shoulder in, both on straight lines & circles, transitions & leg yeild.

Have a look on the Neue Schule website http://www.neueschulebits.com and read their bitting guide. Its very eye opening.

 

[hannahtpfidler]

No shes fantastic on the flat very expressive and balanced. She always jumps XC and is a little machine its the running inbetween the fences where she tends to take a hold which then makes it dificult to set her up at the next fence.

 

[hannahtpfidler]

I thought about a waterford but do you think shed find it to cold in her mouth as shes not a fan of metal bits! How does a Kineton n.nand work?

 

[only_me]

hmm you could try a sweet iron waterford? they are warmer in the mouth

 

[CrazyMare]

Neue schule make a Waterford - their bits are lovely and willingly accepted by most horses.

Maybe something like this would help?

http://neueschulebits.com/acatalog/NS_Jumpers.html

 

[DollyDolls]

Kineton is very old fashioned, but it works to add breaks via the horses nose rather than the poll. When you pull on the reins, it then comes into play as the force of bit guides the pressure on the nose.
So hard hands = lots of pressure,
soft hands = little or no pressure.

You need the bit to be wide enough to take the metal loops, so you may need to go up 1/4", but it depends how narrow/wide the bit is.

I found it really helped out hunting & myler have adopted the concept in some of their stronger bits.

You could try a sweet iron mouthpiece if you say plain metal is too cold.

 

[only_me]

there is a waterford pelham if you feel you need more breaking power?

imo if she is leaning and you still need breaks but only to set up, i would try the mcguinness bit , its a bit old fashioned but really helped my old pony who used to tank along with nose on the ground, and a gag was the wrong type of action.

http://www.shop4bits.com/item--Magenis-Eggbutt--Magenis-eggbutt.html

 

[titchy]

Have you thought of a Myler combination bit. Works slightly as gag snaffle but with nose pressure similar to hackamore.

It is available in various mouth pieces and two cheek pieces.

Read about a top event rider using it on one of her horses which sounded like yours.

Just a thought.

 

[Sol]

I'll be another voter for the kineton noseband