Recommend a Bit

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spotty_pony

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Warning, this might be a long one!

I am having problems with one of my horses when hacking out. He is getting too excited and too strong for me to stop even though he is getting plenty of exercise. His back, teeth and saddle have all been checked so I know he is not in pain. He is also not being fed anything which would cause him to have too much energy.

The other day, I was hacking him out on his own. All was going fine, until we were riding along a stony track which runs along the edge of a ploughed field. There is a hedge on one side of the track, with more fields behind the hedge. The farmer has recently put some bird scarers in there (plastic bags attached to sticks! :eek:) And my boy really wasn't keen. I was talking to him and reassuring him and although he was very tense, he was fine until we got to a part of the track where there was a 'bird scarer' really close - just on the other side of the hedge! He found it far too scary, spooked into the ploughed field and then took off at full pelt gallop! I sat back, and tried everything to stop him but he was very strong. I managed to turn him into a circle and after about three circles, managed to pull him up. Managed to get past the rest of the 'bird scarers' by walking in the middle of the ploughed field. Then, once we were back on the lanes, he seemed to calm down again so I decided to take him into a bridleway and have a canter up the hill. We got into the field, I asked him to trot and he once again took off at a gallop. I had no control, and only managed to stop him after turning him in a few circles. I took him back onto the lane and walked him the rest of the way home as I was a bit shaken up. This isn't the only times he has done this either. He has done it a couple of times in the past, both from spooking at things and from feeling too fresh.

I am wondering whether to change his bit to something else to give me extra brakes? I know this isn't the ideal solution but I feel he is learning that I can't stop him and knows that if he wants to go, then he can and I can't do anything about it - which is a scary thought! He is is no way nasty, just feeling very well and as I am quite lightweight, I haven't got the weight or strength behind me to be able to hold him. I must add that he is fine in the school, and in the summer he is a different horse and is very calm out hacking.

If anyone has any recommendations on bits or any advice I would be very grateful. He is currently in an eggbutt straight bar happy mouth snaffle.
 
A kimblewick might do you... not jointed though, defeats object of having a curb. straight/mullen with port maybe...

Easy to use with single rein and you only need very light aids.
 
sounds scary!!!! what about the hanging snaffle, not majorly different but it make just help a little, or a jointed eggbutt, french link loose ring. try one of these to start off with before concidering gags (thats ny personal view, but others may not agree). or if neither of these work the kimbalwick may be a wise choice.!! good luck :D
 
A kimblewick? Bit extreme isn't it considering he's currently in a happy mouth snaffle?
Poor pony won't know whats hit it!

I'd probably try something like a french link or hanging snaffle first, then if this fails go with a dutch gag.
Maybe even try a flash, I don't know whether hes one for opening his mouth and evading the bit as it wasn't mentioned in your post.
 
Sounds just like mine.

I use a straight bar snaffle on rare 'good' days but other wise a Kimblewick and for when I know in advance we will have no control I use a pelham.

None will stop her when she goes as you described yours goes though, its a case of circling so tight until she cannot gallop anymore!
 
Chloe..x said:
A kimblewick? Bit extreme isn't it considering he's currently in a happy mouth snaffle?
Poor pony won't know whats hit it!

I'd probably try something like a french link or hanging snaffle first, then if this fails go with a dutch gag.
Maybe even try a flash, I don't know whether hes one for opening his mouth and evading the bit as it wasn't mentioned in your post.
Click to expand...

Please explain how a kimblewick is extreme and a dutch gag and a flash is not miss expert.
 
I will also add that he was in a loose ring french link snaffle before the happy mouth but he messed about with it a lot, and kept dropping his head behind the vertical to avoid the action of the bit. So then I fell like I had nothing in my hands! I was advised by my instructor to try a straight bar happy mouth to encourage him to 'take the bit' and not try and evade it. His schooling and jumping has come on great with this bit but I now feel that now he has learnt to take the bit, he is now taking advantage of the mildness of it.
 
Could you not perhaps try him on a calmer instead? I know when my mare is in heavy work and fit I have a job to pull her up, so I stick her on a calmer and it just takes that edge off. Perhaps try a stronger bit in the mean time untill the calmer gets into his system and then see how he feels. Might be woth a try as I know it does the trick with mine.
 
As frankie suggested maybe he's full of beans! What's he eating? Perhaps a change in diet and a calmer will help if you don't want to change bits.
 
tallyho! said:
As frankie suggested maybe he's full of beans! What's he eating? Perhaps a change in diet and a calmer will help if you don't want to change bits.
Click to expand...

I do think he has more energy than he knows what to do with. He is currently fed Baileys Lo-Cal Balancer and half a scoop on chaff. So nothing really to cut out!
 
i'm in a similar situation to you with the horse been strong hacking out and struggling to stop. i ride in a french link loose ring and i'm wanting to go stronger.
i'm thinking of either a hanging snaffle, a full cheek? or a french link gag.
sometimes shes fine but when she sets off i can't stop her and i'm only small, light and not that strong and can't take any chances :(

i've also thought of a waterford as she used to bolt off at times and i couldn't stop her and she took the bit in her mouth and wouldn't give, so that could be an idea. depends how bad it is. :o
 
Well, maybe spring is in the air! Have you tried lunging before you go out? Has helped me before but a strong pony is a strong pony - they just seem to have boundless energy no matter what. I put my "naughty" ponies in kimblewicks when I was growing up and come to think of it, it's known as a pony bit and many used them - fallen out of fashion since horrid gags and flashes become the norm. Better safe than sorry and they aren't harsh at all - you just have more control and you'll find he'll listen to you more as it gives an even feel and you'll soon be confidently hacking out on the buckle. Anyway, I'm sure you'd rather have a safe hack and not be found by helicopter with a broken arm or something out in a field somewhere.
 
I'm reading with interest because only today I could have done with a "louder voiced" bit. I've got a french link hanging cheek snaffle at the moment and while it's better than when I was utalising a standard french link snaffle it just doesn't seem loud enough.
I've considered a 3 ring gag but that seems like a bit of a jump...
 
Chloe..x said:
A kimblewick? Bit extreme isn't it considering he's currently in a happy mouth snaffle?
Poor pony won't know whats hit it!

I'd probably try something like a french link or hanging snaffle first, then if this fails go with a dutch gag.
Maybe even try a flash, I don't know whether hes one for opening his mouth and evading the bit as it wasn't mentioned in your post.
Click to expand...
QR
I am afraid I think the Dutch gag to be much harsher than the Kimblewick.

However I do not think that a harsh bit is that is needed but a "whole horse" approach. eg feed, schooling etc.
Please believe you can solve the problem and don't despair, it just takes time and patience.
FDC
 
Id much rather use a dutch gag than a kimblewick. I've never had a problem with a dutch gag. Even if you just start on the first ring with the smallest amount of leverage or using two reins with an attachment to make two reins into one (can't remember the name sorry)
 
I personally think it would be unusual to solve the problems the OP has with her horse by just changing the bit. Still it maybe a start.

As for Dutch gag v Kimblewick it must be down to personal experience.

FDC
 
Chloe..x said:
Id much rather use a dutch gag than a kimblewick. I've never had a problem with a dutch gag. Even if you just start on the first ring with the smallest amount of leverage or using two reins with an attachment to make two reins into one (can't remember the name sorry)
Click to expand...

You've just stated exactly why gags are more severe than curbed bits... it's a leverage bit. You are using your horses mouth (mainly roof of his mouth which makes him throw his head up) as the pivot between your weight (on his poll) and his. How considerate and lovely of you then to throw a flash on so he can't even get away from the pain.

Whereas a curbed bit applies pressure on tongue, bars and poll and works directly rather than in a conflict.
 
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