Really mild bits for a rather strong horse...

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SummerStorm

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Yes, reverse psychology I know but it has most definitely worked in the past!

I bought Silver on the third ring of a dutch gag, too small a martingal and a flash and he had no brakes/steering and could buck for England - he's now in a loose ring sweet iron snaffle with nothing else at all and is going a million times better than he was, seering/brakes etc. are rarely a problem and the bucking has stopped completely
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It seems (and I've tried riding with really soft hands/loose reins/in a headcollar etc.) that the less strong something is, the better he goes.

So, back to my original question - what bits are milder than a loosering snaffle?

I can't say I've ever liked the fixed bar bits (sorry, useless on proper names!) but lozenge bits and a french link have all been mentioned to me.

Any thoughts anyone?
 
Good for you that you have made him better taking off all that kit!! i have reservations on whether it works for all horses though!

Errm, maybe a happy mouth or rubber snaffle?? xx
 
Wolfe was the same as your little lurrrrrrrvly pony!

I used the Mylor comfort snaffle, really worked with wolfe, he was strong and used to lean like anything on any bit I used.
Had a big tounge too, so used to stick it out all the time.

With the Mylor it worked GREAT!
 
I'm a big french link fan, so would try that, or a straight bar - not too thin, or too heavy - I had a brill straigh bar vulcanite one that most horses loved, and totally agree with the 'try something less severe before going more severe' theory, it worked wonders on multiple 'strong' neds!
 
My horsey is very very strong. Never been ridden in strong bits though, because he locks against them and disapeers into the blue yonder with me attatched!

Hes in loose ring sweet iron copper lozenge bit, which he can still block against, but he does go really nicely in it. I wouldnt say it is any milder just a different action. I would recommend it greatly, but my other pony won't go in it at all, and from a conformation viewpoint he seems v.similar to silver, so dont know whether Id recommend it to you or not.

Not sure if that helps but yea.
 
About the myler comfort snaffles... um, can anyone find me a picture/place to buy the one you mean? I've managed to find about 3 different bits looking on google so I'm a bit confused!
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(no pun intended btw
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Oh, and Molineux - if you're ever in need of a small, fat, naughty lil pony for university term time...
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french link hanging cheek

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I had a lesson on my horse in one of those and he HATED it, not sure why because he doesn't mind a dutch gag at all.. wierd!

to go strait i had to pull (hard) on the right rein and to turn left just let go of my right rein, We put him in a normal snaffle and he was fine, really wierd! xx
 
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will need it for if we hunt!!!

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Your neck not mine!
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I think the hunt would have thought I was insane if i turned up in a really mild bit on Silver - apparently his last owner couldn't stop him even at the end of the day in the bottom ring of the gag...
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Any guesses why he hasn't been hunting with me!!!
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will need it for if we hunt!!!

Your neck not mine!

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my thoughts entirely!

hunting, horses want to keep up/be in front no matter what is in there mouths and I certainly wouldn't risk this theory on our life!

sorry if you were TTP! xx
 
completely agree, Louis used to be in a gag with double reins and he used to get very wound up, overbent and rushed a lot, everywhere! He also used to bounce a lot and used to half-rear. I decided to take a chance and take him to a sponsored ride in a loose ring french link and the difference was amazing...yes he was still excitable and fresh but so much more relaxed, no bouncing and the whole experience was just a lot more relaxing! Sometimes less is more

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Myler comfort snaffle! My cob is very very strong when she wants to be but goes great in this as well as my WB. I love it.

I got the High Wide one as this does not put any tongue pressue on. The one i got has hooks, this puts pressure on the poll. This bit also means you can isolate one shoulder as one side of the bit will move without the other side of the bit moving.

Heres a pic of the same one as i've got-
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Got mine off ebay BNWT for £40, best bargain.
 
With good hands and going xc/hunting/racing and a puller try a waterford and grakle. Make sure its high enough in the mouth. kind but they can't get a hold of them as they are big fat balls. Like all strong bits they are not for every day. If you need to stop a runaway elephant and you have very good hands there is always a citation but they are extremely severe. I only very rarely use them and as soon as they have the idea of not p*** off take it off. Don't use it every day, only when the occassion demands and until they get the message ie hunting and galloping. They are only for very experienced riders
 
Mine really likes a Happymouth roller:
Link (hope it works!).

He found he had less to lock his jaw against (that used to be our problem) and I have brakes and a relaxed horsie
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OMG!!

I bought Beau when he was in a 3ring snaffle to, last ring, bit of a puller , no steering or brakes and would just go!

Tonight I tried him in - A loose ring sweet Iron snaffle, no flash, noseband not even as tight as usual. And what a difference, he was steerable, even in trot and canter!
He used to do the (what ive been told)typical cob thing of always wanting to take just one more step, well not tonight. I just sat deep and he stopped. Thought it was luck, but tried it again with baddy reins and again, he stopped dead.

I'm not sure I would jump him in it just yet as he did get a bit keen in canter when heading towards the school gate, but that has always been a thing of his.
 
Yep, I'd say Myler Comfort Snaffle too!
My 17hh, ID x was in a Magennis (sp?) when he came to me and was as strong as an ox, however, I changed it to a Myler and he's now as light as a feather and pulls up as soon as I ask no matter how fast we're going!!!!!!!!!!
I have a Low Port one cos he's only 5 and isn't very far along with his ridden education! Think it's a level 3?!
If your horse has a big tongue and a low pallat (I think) then a snaffle will actually be quite harsh - because the Mylers are ported they have no nutcracker action, also I find them brilliant as one rein can be worked independantly from the other, pure genius!
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