opinions on bits for a strong horse?

S

SarahRicoh

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 September 2010
Messages
1,105
Location
Cheltenham, England
Visit site
well my loan horse was at an equine college before i got him where he was ridden in a dutch gag which is what i currently ride him in.. however, hes strong out hacking and jumping and i have no control which i hate.
im getting him a grakle noseband as he opens his mouth and crosses his jaw to avoid the bit which doesnt help my lack of control :(
my current choice is a kimblewick but i know there are many types...

please can i have opinions on which bits people would choose and why and opinions on kimblewickes(also they are used with one set of reins yeah?)
 
It might be a case of seeing which type of bit suits him. Will he like a port, a single jointed, a french link or Dr Bristol?

I am not a fan of Dutch gags, they seem to be a modern day fashion accessory and a "must have".

Why is he strong? Is he fighting the bit or is it simply a case of him being used to someone hauling on his mouth - a natural reaction as such?

Obviously there is nothing worse than being tanked off with by a horse but what does he do if you kick him on when he is playing up? Does he go behind the bit or does he chuck his head up?

Sorry - too many questions and not much help!
 
SarahRicoh said:
he fights the bit and hes just used to people hauling on his mouth :(

if i kick.him.on.he chucks his hdad up and bowls along even faster lol
Click to expand...

As daft as it sounds try him in a softer bit, possibly with a lozenge as he can play with it.

It worked with mine after many schooling sessions with the OH saying "It's all in his mouth that its going wrong!"
 
So put him in a eggbutt snaffle or D ring (with grackle or flash if necessary) and kick him on even more - get him used to be driven forward rather than being hauled backwards. Circle him round every time he goes too fast, lots of transitions to keep him thinking and on his toes. Is he bull necked and heavy on his front end?
 
Sounds like my new horse got her in NS universal and doing lots of transistions on circles and making canter with out running trot before all on circles.
 
no hes not bull.necked... its more excitement.... out hacking he just gets excited and pulls and when we canter i struggle to stop and i have to really pull which i hate. i thought about a hanging cheek with grakle? schooling hes not strong but hacking and jumping he is.... sj i can do transitions and circles etc but hacking/xc/fun rides he's just too strong and ignores the bit and i need some control because i want to go hunting and possibly do some little ode.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top