Myler combination & Grackle

[Sali]

Has anyone combined the Myler combo & a grackle before?

When jumping my mare will cross her jaw and will get very strong. She'll canter round nice and balanced inbetween fences, but 2-3 strides before a fence she throws her head up to a point that I can't actually see the fence. Once over a fence she'll chill. And when going into a combo it's only ever the first fence she will do this. Now, it's not EVERY time she goes into a fence. just 60-70% of the time. We're currently jumping in a Rugby Pelham, but this isn't 'strong' enough. She does only have a light mouth but we do need something more. (I'd much rather have a stronger bit that I only have to bring into effect when needed rather than constantly holding her which I'm doing now!)
An instructor I know has suggested I tried this combination for jumping, and I was just wondering if anyone has done this before?

Any tips etc would be great!

 

[Foxfolly]

Yes I have!!

You need a high grackle ie American one, which you do up first then the myler is done up last with the nose bit sitting just under the grackle.
I still had no brakes but that was incorrect choice of myler bit not the combination... it worked in that he couldn't open his mouth to evade the bit!!

Oops I meant Mexican grackle!!

 

[bexandspooky]

Shouldn't you be trying just the Myler Combo first, rather than combining it with the grackle?

I use a long shank combo and it seems a bit dramamtic teaming it with a grackle without trying the myler on its own merits first - just seems like gadgetry for the sake of it. The Myler is a very effective bit in the right hands, my boy is a total nightmare jumping in a 3 ring gag - ears up my nose and ploughing like a steam train - in the myler, he is light, responsive and a perfect angel.

 

[mat]

I have used the combination with a grackle before, it made no difference with or without really.

The myler combination made a massive difference to the horse, who stopped fussing almost immediately, I did find that although steering improved braking was not as good as it was before...

I think you need to have a bit of an experiment, as horses tend to differ in their reactions to the actions of these bits, and the feeling they get can be altered by the hands at the end of the reins!

Good luck