Need more brakes and steering

[Abacus]

Apologies as similar questions have probably been posted before. Have a lovely 9 year old Irish boy, who when he arrived was just FAST about everything - had been with a teenager and probably galloped around everywhere. He’s safe and only ever feels like he’s having fun. In the school we’ve slowed everything down and I can control the pace easily with seat and light hand. He hots up a bit jumping but in a manageable way. Hacking he’s faster but we’re working on it and I can always bring him back. Xc though, I just don’t have any brakes or steering. So far have gone from snaffle to butterfly gag to Waterford with cheeks. The latter he’s over reactive to and just throws his head up. Was thinking universal…? He’s best so far in a Pelham (for hunting) but I want to use a martingale and not sure about a Pelham for xc. Any suggestions would be well received. I realise much of it comes down to schooling but however much I school him, I think the excitement will take over on a cross country course.

 

[saddlesore]

If you’re brave enough to xc with two reins (I wouldn’t be!) then you could still use the martingale on the snaffle rein. That said I’ve seen loads of people use roundings and a running martingale.

 

[McGrools]

I’ve got a bomber with cheeks on my previously strong mare and she is light and easy in it.

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

I use a kimberwick for my boy, and I have just enough control with a little strongness, but I seem to find it ok.

 

[Abacus]

I’ve got a bomber with cheeks on my previously strong mare and she is light and easy in it.

oh, I have one of those but haven’t tried it on him! Good idea, thank you, I’ll try that next…

 

[Abacus]

I use a kimberwick for my boy, and I have just enough control with a little strongness, but I seem to find it ok.

thank you - I’ll see what I can find in the tack room. I’m sure we have just about everything in there somewhere…

 

[Poppy+MrDarcy]

thank you - I’ll see what I can find in the tack room. I’m sure we have just about everything in there somewhere…

Oh yes, my tack room has just about every bit going

 

[Waysandmeans]

My daughter uses a Stubben 2-in1 elavator bit on the soft setting XC. Tried it with roundings but was too strong. He didnt like a waterford or universal but this one is fine. Snaffle for everything else

 

[Abacus]

My daughter uses a Stubben 2-in1 elavator bit on the soft setting XC. Tried it with roundings but was too strong. He didnt like a waterford or universal but this one is fine. Snaffle for everything else

Thank you for this. I hadn’t heard of them so had a look - I think they are basically the same as the ‘butterfly gag’ I have used, which is an NS one… and feels as though I am riding him in a headcollar…!

 

[Waysandmeans]

Thank you for this. I hadn’t heard of them so had a look - I think they are basically the same as the ‘butterfly gag’ I have used, which is an NS one… and feels as though I am riding him in a headcollar…!

Eeek!! This guy is quite sensitive, but just strong XC . Used to use a Myler comfort with a small port for her previous (now retired) sports cob - hacking. It had slots in the bit rings too , and I think as the whole mouthpiece moves there was nothing to grab! He could just tank! Bizzarley he was a lamb to ride XC and just used a simple snaffle haha. Good Luck

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Have you experimented with the nose and? Just a thought.

 

[spotty_pony]

Have you experimented with the nose and? Just a thought.

This. Sometimes I find you can get away with a milder bit if you change the noseband.