Cessie
Member
I've just started riding a 6 year old 13.2 gelding who came with his tack. His bit is a dutch gag but one of the ones which only has one ring below the large ring, instead of two (to which the reins are currently attached). The mouth piece is a mullen but made from a flexible soft rubbery material with the couple of 'bumps' in rather than completely straight. Medium-ish thickness, doesn't appear to be too bulky for his mouth.
The pony is used just for hacking out with another horse and having ridden him a few times I'd like to change to a milder bit. He rides with a fairly high head and short neck (I'm used to riding a 15hh cob who's the opposite!) but I've had no cause for thinking that he needs strong breaks, and I'm not a great fan of the dutch gag (in addition I plan to take him out next time without the running martingale which he came with). On the other hand he doesn't appear uncomfortable with the current bit either.
Firstly, can I intially move by reins to the large ring of his current bit to reduce the 'leverage' action until we've tried out a few alternatives?
In terms of moving to a snaffle I'm not sure what the best would be:
Firstly, should I keep the soft flexible mullen mouth or try a french link (metal, plastic, rubber?). I don't wish to use a single jointed mouthpiece.
Secondly, should I opt for loose ring (with bit rings to avoid nips?) to keep the movement, rather than eggbut? Or could something like a cheek snaffle work?
Finally, in terms of alternatives to metal mouthpieces, which manufacturers should I be looking to for a good softer/flexible material.
I understand that every horse responds differently but I'd just like to hear peoples experiences, and figure out a couple of bits I could try out.
The pony is used just for hacking out with another horse and having ridden him a few times I'd like to change to a milder bit. He rides with a fairly high head and short neck (I'm used to riding a 15hh cob who's the opposite!) but I've had no cause for thinking that he needs strong breaks, and I'm not a great fan of the dutch gag (in addition I plan to take him out next time without the running martingale which he came with). On the other hand he doesn't appear uncomfortable with the current bit either.
Firstly, can I intially move by reins to the large ring of his current bit to reduce the 'leverage' action until we've tried out a few alternatives?
In terms of moving to a snaffle I'm not sure what the best would be:
Firstly, should I keep the soft flexible mullen mouth or try a french link (metal, plastic, rubber?). I don't wish to use a single jointed mouthpiece.
Secondly, should I opt for loose ring (with bit rings to avoid nips?) to keep the movement, rather than eggbut? Or could something like a cheek snaffle work?
Finally, in terms of alternatives to metal mouthpieces, which manufacturers should I be looking to for a good softer/flexible material.
I understand that every horse responds differently but I'd just like to hear peoples experiences, and figure out a couple of bits I could try out.
