Micklem/cherry roller/full cheeks - aargh

JustMeThen

JustMeThen

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A bitting/bridle issue!
My new mare is lovely, a real sweetie, jumps like stink and moves beautifully.
But she gets very strong, in a leaning, bearing down way. I've had her in a happy mouth three-ring with a peanut, a universal NS and now a ported Myler, which is the best so far, although that's not saying much!
I thought it was me doing something to make her like it but I bumped into someone I know who's very good and who knew my mare before I bought her she she said the mare's got 'no mouth' and that she'd have kept her herself otherwise. So although it was reassuring to know it's not me, I now need to sort it.
I know it's all about schooling and I do loads of transitions, poles, don't just trot round and round etc, but I need something to make the schooling more effective. The woman I know said she was better in a Micklem so I might try one. I'm also looking at cherry rollers but my trainer also said he thought she might need something with full cheeks as she can be a bit wavery but the cherry roller with cheeks linked below looks not as roller-ish as the normal ones so I don't know if the mouthpiece would have the same effect... anyone got any ideas? She's rising six and I don't want a 'stronger' bit, plus I think she'd just lean on it more...?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-FEELI...Domain_3&var=550515328421&hash=item3a954a921e
 
No, I didn't think it was but the only cherry rollers I can see are loose rings, that was the closest I could find with cheeks. I have considered waterfords; I know they're not harsh, as a lot of people think, but am concerned that if I did catch her in the mouth, it wouldn't be good...
 
I'd go with a Waterford, they are very handy bits! They stop the leaning as horse can't grab hold of the bit, and I would always use a full cheek one just for ease of turning.

Plus they aren't that strong and we would usually use them on the young horses so they learn that they can't lean (only if they start to lean of course) And it is very easy to switch back to a French link when needed :)
 
I'm tempted to try one... She isn't really strong-strong if that makes sense, just bears down. I'm just concerned, I don't want to do anything awful to her mouth by accident!
 
If you're not using a snaffle, preferably a French Link, your horse hasn't been bitted properly in the first instance.

Not finding a 'suitable' bit is incompetence in the rider.. When you see a horse with anything other than a snaffle and wrinkles in his cheeks, think to yourself, crap rider.
 
I use a cherry roller with mine as due to a tongue injury a thin snaffle drives him bonkers! He was in the cherry roller before the injury though and he is extremely soft in his mouth and always has been, so don't work on the assumption anything but a snaffle should make you think crap rider. I'm not entirely sure how effective it would be on a horse with no mouth though. If other people have ruined the horses mouth, you can school to work off your seat, in fact mine will come down into an "outline" in a dr cook and bareback, so it's not the cherry roller that does it for him, it's legs being used... In your shoes I'd be using a waterford, and if I was worried about catching the horse in the mouth I'd be using the avacallo gel bit guards on it, whilst I perfected the understanding of seat aids between my horse and me. A bit is only as harsh as the riders hands using it, and if you're constantly nagging your horse because of previous riders bad hands, I'd prefer to put something "more" in so I could just ask once and make mine and my horses ride more enjoyable. I dont know if the no wrinkles is for western, but I've always been taught 2 wrinkles and then it's not hanging low in their mouth bashing their poor teeth! So I'd maybe look into the bridle fitting aspect a bit more! Good luck, whatever you try. Let us know how you get on :-)
 
It might sound contrary but my sons mare was similar and gave the appearance of needing a stronger bit which she had when bought. Put her in a Nanthe straight bar and light as a feather and never strong, even when she looked ready to bomb off. He competed her up to novice event in it. some years later after selling a new owner phoned and asked what she was like xcountry as didn't seem happy in her mouth. she was now in a much stronger bit. I suggested to go back to a nanthe and another phone call later she was happy as larry.
 
I do recommend micklem bridles, just got one for my boy and it's brilliant! I can also recommend Waterford snaffles too, so combine the two and you may feel a difference 😊 xx
 
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