need some advice on which bit to use please

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rose bud

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hi everyone!
i could do with a bit of advice please.
i have a cob mare who i currently ride in a french link eggbutt snaffle, before this her last owners had her in a loose ring french link snaffle.
I could just do with some advice on which bit you think would be best for her please.
I have owned her for approx 6 months and she is a happy hacker. before i bought her she was used for driving and then was a broodmare so she doesn't have a lot of ridden experience. we have been hacking out quietly since i have had her but would now like to start doing fun rides and a bit faster work and i just get the feeling that i may not have much breaks with the bit she is in now!
she can be quite strong and tends to stick her head up or out to avoid the contact if she doesn't want to stop. she also isn't the best at steering and tends to pull if she wants to go in a particular direction, and does a lot of yawning (don't know if that is relevant?)
I had her teeth, back etc checked about 4 months ago and all was fine.
i was just wondering what peoples thought and opinions were please.
thank you in advance.
 
I know she's a happy hacker and that's probably all you want to do, however rather than get a stronger bit, she could probably do with some schooling to help her understand the aids you're giving on your hacks.

You don't necessarily need to school in an arena - transitions and asking for the right bend round corners while out in the countryside are all possible. Incorporate lots of this when out with others too, so she gets used to listening to you even with others there.

Our cob does lots of sponsored/pleasure rides and gets excited, but because he understands aids given, doesn't become too rude - and he's in a full cheek french link. Mind you, if he wants to have a blast up a hill, that's to be encouraged - he runs out of steam before too long :D
 
Agree with odd jobs wife. I'd work on the schooling. Usually, if they are avoiding the contact & you swop to a stronger bit, you get a temporary improvement that masks the problem, then you need something stronger still. However if you school & teach to accept the contact, & in future you do need a different bit for some activities it doesn't cause a problem.
Sorry if its a daft question but are you using your legs when you want to bring her back? However light your hands are if you don't ride forwards into the transition its very common for them to do as yours is.
 
Hi i'd try her in a hanging cheek french link snaffle - i know what the person above is saying about schooling but if you were just a little nervous about brakes it would give you a little more without going over board and totally changing bits - the hanging cheek will give you a little bit of leverage so (more brakes) but at the same time its the same mouthpiece with the french link - which if shes happy with you dont' really want to mess with and the fact that the hanging cheeks has slightly longer cheek pieces on the side will give you more steering too as it should help guide her slightly - i use mine on my two ex racehorses and they love it its strong enough to stop but not so harsh that their constantly waiting for it to hit them - plus you don't have to use two reins or anything like that and when shes walking out and behaving well and your not pulling on her it won't be any different than her bit now you'll just have a bit extra if you need it - hope that helps.
 
Hi,
Thank you for the replies so far!
I totally agree with the more schooling and it is something that we will work on.
Thank you for your suggestion stormygale, it would give me more confidence to know that there were a little bit more brakes there if needs be.
I don't want to go mad a put her in a very strong bit I just want something that will give me a little extra help. She doesn't seem that happy in her mouth at the moment, so was just wondering what people would suggest, to help with the steering as well.
 
The full cheek french link helped us with steering - just that little bit of 'extra'. If she's not settled, then it may be worth trying other bits - and it is trail and error. My old horse was never strong and only needed a snaffle, however loved a vulcanite pelham!
 
Ok, thank you! Lots to think about!
When I tried her before I bought her she was in a loose ring french link, how does that differ to an eggbutt french link (sorry if that's a stupid question, I'm not too well up on my bits!)
 
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