Right - need to get bitting problems sorted before Belmont...

[monica987]

Okay, posted in my TC report aswell but Sparky does this funny thing where (usually when trying to stop) he yanks his head down. Originally I thought it was due to him gripping the bit so put him in a waterford. He was a lot lighter in the mand everywhere else but when asking him to slow down stop, he did it again.
I really need to get brakes sorted so need suggestions on what bit to use. Here is a picture (Hope Robinhood doesnt mind me using this pic!) to show you what he does (usually a bit more dramatic!)

I have seen the 'Pee-wee' bit advertised and a friend suggested it. What does it do?

Thankyou in advance for any advice!
x

 

[Hattikins]

That's exactly what Fiddler did, he used to just bury his head down and you just cant get them back up even though they arent actually that strong. The only bits that worked were cheltenham gags, and a waterford neue schule jumper bit. some kind of myler bit with hooks might do the trick too?

 

[monica987]

Nice to know I am not the only one

Oh, and I dont want anything too pricey

 

[pinktiger]

have you tried pulling one rein upwards slightly, as a pose to pulling against him,, hes using all his power to pull you down and leaning on you to get more traction!!! The pee wee bit if i remember, was invented by a cowboy and is straight bar, seen pics of it looks quite severe! My young eventer use to do this, (due to balance in gallop) i supported him upwards and was able to then apply my breaking system, once that is i had his head off the floor!!!! Is a very unerving postition to gallop in!!

 

[Eira]

[ QUOTE ]
waterford neue schule jumper bit.

[/ QUOTE ]

Its a miracle worker , Dannys in one because he used to do the same but now he doesn't even try

 

[monica987]

I have tried that pinktiger -
This is just a picture where I am doing it slightly...

Will look into the Waterford neue schule - Is it very expensive

 

[Eira]

Its about £50 but on shop4bits you can have it on trial for 30days and if it works it is well worth the money

 

[monica987]

OKay dokey

 

[pinktiger]

ooo hes cute!! I would sit back slightly wrap your legs around him and pull up and out until he comes up on one side, and then quickly before he goes back down do same on other side keep going up until your in the postition to apply pressure!! he doesnt look terribly strong hes just being clever and evaiding the contact untill you have the contact he will feel strong!! Belmont park is lovely but is twisty and turny, if hes doing this the whole time is going to drive you mad, is there somewhere you can gallop and try different ways of bringin him back?? the universal gag from ns will be less strong a bit than the gag, the gag will put presure on his poll and encourage him down, mayb something with a curb to stop him going too low???

 

[monica987]

I have no problems steering etc, just stopping at the end

I have the whole of Cirencester Park at my fingertips so no problem

 

[pinktiger]

[ QUOTE ]
I have no problems steering etc, just stopping at the end

I have the whole of Cirencester Park at my fingertips so no problem

[/ QUOTE ]

thats cool you wont have to worry then till rite at the end, just point and hold on, get someone to catch you thro the finish!! Think lots of galloping should be on the cards, and oh dear what a chore round cirencester park you poor thing!!!!

 

[monica987]

I think that is what I ma going to have to do! It is truely lovely in the Park on a bright morning

 

[ccooxxyy]

bubble/continental gag type bits often have an action of lowering the head, as your photo's show. it then encourages horse onto forehand so you end up being on a looser and having a battle. snaffles are fab but you sound like you need a bit more than that. you could try a full cheek snaffle with a grackle noseband or go with the cheltenham gag as that has an action of raising the head!

 

[siennamum]

Just to give you something else to think about.....
Your flash looks too low. It's cutting into his nostrils. He could be bearing down to try and get rid of it & help his breathing.
I would raise your cavesson, & tighten it, then ensure your flash isn't on his nostrils (it's not there to shut his mouth, just to prevent him opening it too wide). I would be unhappy if you were my daughter at putting a really tough bit in his mouth. Try the noseband first.

 

[Hattikins]

I know exactly the feeling you must be getting on Sparky - Fiddler was an expert at it. You could lift you hand as much you liked but it just never worked - he just buried his head far too well! the great thing about the cheltenham gag is that you can be as light as you like in the hand with it and just use it when absolutely necessary - its like riding in a snaffle if you use it lightly and then when you really need to get the head up an upwards action with it works wonders. A bit is only as rough/strong as the hands that are using it.

 

[Orangehorse]

Sorry to highjack your thread, but I have the same problem. It was OK when horse ran out of puff before the end of the canter, but he wants to go on for longer now!.

He has a sweet iron french link and a cavesson noseband. He really leans on my hands and that is when he is alone. I dread to think what would happen in company.

He is very long and just going on his forehand with a convenient rider to hold him up!

 

[aran]

Mine does this out hunting. I've been recommended the Neue Schule NS Jumper as it can help lift the head. Aran has a sensitive mouth and can back off the bit but he goes well in this.
http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1626

 

[BarmyC]

sus does this when i jump him and i have been trying a kimblewick on him and it has worked wonders it is only on the softest bit and the curb is loose it just kicks in when he yanks his head down and then as the curb begins to work he lifts up again.

its the worse thing when you are trying to look like you can ride and just get yanked out of the saddle all the time

 

[SpottedCat]

[ QUOTE ]
Just to give you something else to think about.....
Your flash looks too low. It's cutting into his nostrils. He could be bearing down to try and get rid of it & help his breathing.
I would raise your cavesson, & tighten it, then ensure your flash isn't on his nostrils (it's not there to shut his mouth, just to prevent him opening it too wide). I would be unhappy if you were my daughter at putting a really tough bit in his mouth. Try the noseband first.

[/ QUOTE ]

Completely agree with this - I find flash nosebands horrible things to fit as the flash strap invariably seems to pull the cavesson too low unless you have it cranked very tight. So now I use a drop on the flat and a grackle to jump, which solves the problem.

Also do not forget eventing you will be on your own, so less for him to get excited/strong about (no other ponies to chase!!).

 

[lifeslemons]

Ellie... weren't you told to sort that noseband out at least two months ago?!!!! xx

 

[KatB]

Goddy does exactly the same. The cheltenham gag didnt help us unfortunately and he just leant on it more!!

A tom thumb with a curb strap did for a while, but out hunting he is wise to that now too!!

But definitely worth a go for XC

They are very similar but cheaper than the NS jumper bit

 

[monica987]

Thankyou guys! I did sort the noseband out - It was mush higher but I'm not too sure what happened

I assure you it isn't normally that low!!
Anyway, will look into all of these