more on bits?!

[emmilou]

Hia all, asked about this already but anyway.........my pony is in a snaffle and is now getting a little too cheeky, as said before anything with poll action (hanging cheek) makes him rear.
what do you guy's think about a german hackamore?
thanks x

 

[Tinkerbee]

am i right in thinking hackamores have quite a bit of poll pressure? could be wrong

 

[KatB]

Don't go down the hackamore route unless you have very good hands and are experienced in the use of them. German ones ARE severe. What different bits have you tried on him? And have you had him checked to see why he is objecting to poll pressure?

 

[emmilou]

well, he's had dentist and a vet check as standard and apparently he's just a funny chap. my last horse went in a german hackamore so i dont know. maybe having so little contact may suit him?
ive tryed a frenchlink and a loose ring snaffle. im not sure which path to choose now?
any suggestions?
thanks

 

[KatB]

What does he do to evade? What noseband do you have on him at the moment? By the sounds og things, you have gone backwards in severity as french links are alot softer than normal single jointed snaffles due to the lack of the nutcracker action. Have you tried something with a curb, like a kimblewick?
How big is he, how old? Look at mouth comformation aswell, becasue sometimes putting a bit that is too thick, or too narrow in the wrong sort of mouth can cause resistance.

 

[emmilou]

well, i thought id try everything to see if maybe the snaffle was too strong! anyway, he's dot a flash.always steered away from kimblewick as i thought they were very strong?
he's 9 and only 14.3 but very persistant and cocky!
the vet has sadi he has no excuse as his mouth is fine and normal conformation so i dont know. he is a bit of a pig at times so i think he's just trying to push his luck!

 

[KatB]

Not as stong as a hackamore, and are a step up from a snaffle as have that small amount of curb action, without as much curb as a pelham. Anything that disperses pressure can be helpful. Does he stil his head up/down/out, does he run off, or twist his head?

What I mean by mouth confirmation is a horse with a fleshy tongue will find a thick bit uncomforatble, but likewise, one with thin tongue and fine "bars" will find a narrow bit more severe.

 

[emmilou]

hmmm interesting. i always just assumed they were really harsh, might try that then and let you know. he doesnt out and just suddenly up and goes. its not an everyday thing but its still something i want to knock on the head as he's quite clever! he tends to do it when he 'thinks' he's scared! (or when he really doent want to do something-like going in front)

 

[KatB]

other possibility is a Dr Bristol mouthpiece, it rewards the horse when it is accepting the contact, then puts pressure if its not. Can be very useful, and are a "strong" snaffle.

 

[emmilou]

ok. thanks a million. not sure which one to try......maybe the Dr bristol as he does work well in a snaffle when he is being good x

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

Biting advice is best obtained from a professional otherwise it can be costly. You can end up buying various bits, trying them & finding they are not right for your horse. You can always borrow bits from friends, if they have the right type & size that you need.

Best thing is to contact a professional. Go to this site & there is a telephone number where you can speak personally to Heather who is a fountain of knowledge regarding Bits. She'll speak to you in depth & give you sound advice.

http://www.neueschulebits.com/

I'm not connected to the company in any way, just a very satisfied customer. Good Luck

 

[pixiebee]

sorry to say this but what about going back to basics with schooling????????????????? persobnally i think going from a snaffle to a german hackamore is way too much of a leap, the german hackamore puts alot of pressure on the poll which you said makes your horse rear? If thats the case the hackamore will only make the problem worse! You said your last horse went in one-not being bitchy but you shouldnt ride in such a bit unless you know what it does.