Not sure whether to change bit??

[sfward]

I started hacking Missie again last week after a lay off of about 2 months. She's always been forward going and strong but she's got particularly strong and rude (not to mention silly and spooky!!) after her break! I'm sick of feeling like I've got a ton in each hand and being towed off with in trot

so was thinking about putting the gag on her for a while. I normally only ever use it on her for jumping and don't want to start myself on a slippery slope and end up not being able to hack in a snaffle!! Is this likely to happen though or would it be a good thing to use the gag for a while until she calms down a bit and hopefully I have instilled a bit of respect in her again, then revert back to the snaffle? I don't want to overreact but I'm 3 months pregnant and just want to enjoy my hacking and not be bogged off with or have to put up with rude horsey!!

Alternatively are there any other bits that might work (preferably freely available and not costing a fortune!) - the other issue we have is taking a very strong hold on the left rein, I'm wondering whether there are bits which would stop her doing this so much (currently she's in a Myler comfort snaffle or a NS verbindend loose ring).

 

[Peanot]

Hi, I have just bought a new horse, (6 weeks ago) and I tried a Myler low port comfort with her, an eggbut one, and she was leaning on this, so does my other horse. But funnily enough she was hanging onto the left rein too. Anyhow, I now ride her in a loose ring french link and she is going lovely. In your position though, you are pregnant and your baby is the most important thing right now, and if you are gonna continue to ride, then I would make sure that you feel as safe as possible and if this means riding your horse in a strong bit for a few months, then go ahead but do be careful.

 

[Sooty]

Somtimes horses just respond to a change of bit every so often. A Waterford is great for hacking is they can't get hold if it, and you can get a three-ring version. I wouldn't worry too much about a snaffle; use whatever works! It's better to hack her in a bit that she respects.

 

[KatB]

Wouldnt have a prob with it personally. A the end of the day they need to respect us! How about riding in the gag with 2 reins, so use the snaffle unless necessary and then you have the gag as back up

 

[sfward]

I had considered a Waterford, the look of them puts me off a bit as they look quite harsh, but from what I've heard this isn't the case? It might be worth a try as you can pick them up quite cheaply I believe. As she hangs on the left rein though sometimes the bit slides through her mouth a bit, would all the joints be likely to rub her?
Three rings are a bit of a no no for her, she hates them for some reason, my gag is a Cheltenham which she normally goes quite well in...

 

[sfward]

[ QUOTE ]
Wouldnt have a prob with it personally. A the end of the day they need to respect us! How about riding in the gag with 2 reins, so use the snaffle unless necessary and then you have the gag as back up

[/ QUOTE ]

Cunning plan! I started off with her like this XC, was interesting at time juggling four reins, but I'm sure I could manage on a sedate hack

 

[KatB]

Its how I hacked my boy after his break, and he is an angel again now in his snaffle.

It just reminds them who is in control without needing to permanently have a gag action

 

[Sooty]

They are actually not harsh at all because the sections are all quite large. It is the narrower bits that are harshest, and those with long shanks. Toffee has different bits for different disciplines and different times of the year. In summer you could ride her in a headcollar, in winter it is a different matter!

 

[sfward]

Thanks, perhaps I'll give one a try

In the meantime gag it is! Her antics don't particularly worry me, but due to her hock problems and my pregnancy I'm a recently converted happy hacker so would actually like to enjoy my hacks for a change thank you very much!!!