Recommend a bit

P

pixiebee

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 February 2006
Messages
2,402
Location
wales somewhere!!!
Visit site
Horse is 13 but not done any real schooling for a year, currently ridden in fench link snaffle but has a tendancy to lean a bit and fix his neck so can be quite heavy/strong on the hands. He has quite a soft mouth at the same time, if that makes sense. He is currently being schooled and has saddle/back done and teeth too. He motorbikes on corners and i know that with fitness and time he will become more balanced and flexible. trouble is, he is 16.1 with a big powerful neck and shoulders and im a petite 5 ft, i can hold him in a snaffle but have to take quite a hold and as a result he had his mouth open alot and becomes tense. i am working hard on slowing him with my seat which is coming slowly but i was wondering if changing his bit might help in the short term. Especially for hacking and jumping/faster work as he is quite keen. He has a tendency to tilt his head and snatch down on the bit, unseating me. He is very fiddly with his mouth and always chomping and munching at the bit. I am wondering if something with a little curb action will help just to pick him up a bit and listen without me having to haul at him. I dont want anything too strong. what do recommend? also should i stick with the same mouthpiece or change that too?
 
http://www.aivly.co.uk/product_79500.htm

I used the danger bit on my horse that did the same kind of things that you horse does. I is like a snaffle when the horse is soft but then goes solid when the horse pulls on the bit. Don't worry about the name it is just the way that the name is translated from German. It is not for every day use but more just when you are schooling on the flat.
 
Keep the bit... if he leans drop the contact and put your leg on (thighs if liable to gallop off when you drop him, lower leg if he's likely to stop), leaning on the bit is just not acceptable behaviour - as my trainer told me years ago, a horse is heavier than you... never ever hold it up... horses must learn to carry themselves.
 
For schooling keep the bit you have and do heaps of transitions up and down between paces and within the pace. Circles, loops, serpentines and changes of rein will assist with suppling him. It does take time to get them supple again.

For hacking try a Kimblewick or Uxeter as either will give you just a bit more control.
 
thats along the lines I was thinking. I was wondering if for schooling it might be worth trying some flexi reins with his current snaffle, wondering if it will help him soften to the contact a bit?
 
My mare does/did the same kind of thing as you are describing and I just changed my bit from a french link snaffle to a waterford loose ring... however I understand if used in the wrong hands it can be quite a harsh bit but not if you use it sympathetically, that is what I have been told. To be honest I have only ridden her in it a few times but she went so much better with the change of bit, much softer on the contact. Usually is a bit of trial and error with switching bits but as the Waterford has worked for me it is something I'd recommend.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top