Please don't read if you're sick of bitting questions!!

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Baileyboo

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I know this is getting covered alot but I just need a little bit of advice, my welsh D mare is quite steady but when cantering recently (mostly across fields on hacks) she can be quite strong and is difficult to keep from turning into a flat out gallop, she is just in a hollow mouth snaffle and I wondered what people would recommend if I wanted to increase the breaks a little bit with out becoming too severe?
 
you could try a french link but its a debatable subject on whether it is actually a stronger bit than a plain snaffle, i find tinker alot better in his but that may be because its a better fit for the shape of his mouth and he was 'running away' from the single joint of the snaffle.

what noseband do you use? is it possible your mare is putting her tongue over the bit to evade you when she wants to go faster than you do? tinker used to do this too but again it was probably due to the single joint hurting the roof of his mouth.
 
I did wonder whether it was hurting her, I haven't tried any other combination as this is what was used when I bought her, she has got quite a fleshy tongue and wondered if the bit was too chunky for her mouth. My last mare was in a french link, what are your thought on a hanging cheek french link? perhaps the slight poll pressure may also help? I'm thinking of trying sweet iron or the like as she doesn't mouth the bit very well.
 
sounds like your snaffle may be doing what it done to tinker, the joint may be hitting the top of her mouth because of her tongue being quite big(tinkers problem is a small mouth) and the more pressure your putting on the reins to stop the faster she's running from the pain, it was in fields and open tracks that i had the most problems with tinker too.

i ride him in a full cheek snaffle, just because he's a baby and turning was bit of an issue with him too, i would try a sweet iron french link snaffle first, they arent that expensive so if you find you still dont have as much breaking power as you'd like then try something with a little poll pressure too, no point over bitting her if she is just sore in her mouth and has been trying to show you what the problem is.

it would make life so much easier if they could talk!
 
The french-link is quite a harsh bit (but still a snaffle) and I think that it does definately suit some horses better than a snaffle. I would look at any of the bits with a logenze (NS or KK ultra) as an alternative. Also try to put the flash slightly looser (so that is only under strain if the horse opens it's mouth wider than it would chewing) as it may be that you are restricting the bits natural movement inside the mouth. Obviously, if you haven't already done so, check the back, mouth, neck etc. Good Luck
 
I have a horse that plays up when he is in company but as good as gold on his own and I have him in a mullen mouth short shank pelham which is fab cause when he is having a good boy moment I ride 99% on the snaffle rein and can just pick up the curb when things get a bit hairy!!!I used to ride in a waterford dutch gag which I thought was fine but ever since I have had him in the pelham his flatwork has improved heaps as well.
 
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