*sigh* final attempt for bit help??

[Starbucks]

I though I'd finally mastered Badgers breaking issues with an American gag with two rains. I've been out a few times in it but in the end I felt he wasn't quite jumping as well as he normally does so took it out and went back to my snaffle. I was right as he felt to jump great back in his snaffle.... although he is very hard work he is safe (just about - I think).

Everything I try him in seems to either be a bit much for him or make him even stronger! I need something thats reasonably mild but that he might respect? I thought about a Myler combination?? But don't want to shell out on one if he's not going to like it!! Any other suggestions??

I don't mind if I have to put up with him in a snaffle really, but just thought I'd ask just in case I've missed anything!

PS - he doesn't like anything with a curb.

 

[BB2008]

You can borrow the myler bits, thats what I've tried with my mare to figure which bit is best.

 

[1275gta]

Have you tried a baucher snaffle, just gives a little extra breaking.

 

[Starbucks]

What's a baucher snaffle??

 

[1275gta]

Has an extra ring on top of sanffle ring that you attach cheek pieces to.

 

[Starbucks]

ok I know what you mean, thanks.

 

[Queenbee]

my mare was ridden in a gag, she leant so much she bent it. i changed her to a loose ring training bit (bloody brill) dublin make one thats a 50:50 copper mix. She carries herself can't lean cause the rings obviously keep moving, and the copper mix adds that little bit extra. It's done wonders for her in every sphere. I would highly reccomend it.

 

[SilverSkye]

What about a cheltenham gag with 2 reins then you could use the snaffle most the time but if you need to you would have an emergency brake?

 

[Pidge]

Have you tried this bit http://www.speedyequestrian.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Snaffle_Bits_37.html ?
I put this on Pidge for fast work and hacking and has definately improved the brakes :grin:
Tried him in a pelham, no good, double bridle backs off it, so tried this and he hasn't managed yet to take hold of it so fingers crossed.......

 

[Starbucks]

The top one??

 

[Pidge]

yes sorry there is a reason I'm blonde

 

[Starbucks]

Thank you - thats a good idea actually. It might just suit him and be better than my usual!

Thanks!

 

[Pidge]

definately give it a whirl as it does suit Pidge and he's a good 17hh and has huge shoulders and neck so is pretty strong :grin:

 

[Starbucks]

Yep - sounds a bit like my boy.. He's bit and strong but has a reasonable soft mouth.. My mum is going to ask around for me to borrow one!

 

[Llwyncwn]

Many years ago my old TB bolted with me out with the Banwen over a barren mountain. He was in a Pelham at the time and I had absolutely nothing - he powerhoused from behind. I had never been so frightened in all my life and thank God he eventually slowed down enough for me to turn him just before we hit a gorge! Anyway, a friend recommended a cherry roller and I never looked back. I dont know whether he was dry mouthed at that time or if I was heavy handed, but he listened and I lived to tell the tale :grin:

 

[winterhorse]

hi i used a myler 05 with independant side movement. it is called a comfort snaffle. i'm 5ft 4" small lady and it helped my 17.1hh, IDXTB, when i was riding in the field and my OH hunted hounds off him in a cheltenham gag, so you couldn't say he wasn't keen!! :grin:

 

[cavalo branco]

My last mare was very strong XC and hunting, she went for some lessons with a local event rider who tried her in every conceivable bit. For some strange reason she went beautifully in a vulcanite kimblewick, the last I would have thought of trying. When I sold her, I gave it to her new owner and she still happily jumping in it! Our local tack shop loans bits, does yours?

 

[Starbucks]

It's just trail and error basically isn't it! I don't think local tack ahop does... but i'll check. Thanks.

 

[no_no_nanette]

Would really endorse the cherry roller suggestion - we have a lightweight cob who gets INCREDIBLY excited when he goes out, but has a very soft mouth. The bit that we found worked so well for him, and that we have never changed, is a sweet iron/copper cherry roller snaffle; he mouths a lot now, and is really controllable in it. Good luck!

 

[Starbucks]

Thank you!

 

[Pondrider]

My ex-race TB (who sounds a bit like your beastie) wears a myler 05 for her first meet of the season as she's inclined to get a bit 'keen' (and the 05 just backs her off a tadge), then a Myler 06 after that. Perfect!

BTW, what size mouthpiece does your beastie take? And if curbs are a no-go, the myler combo may not be an option as they do have a high curb/backstrap.
PM me if you're still interested in trying a combo as I used to have one, somewhere........

 

[Vicki1986]

a snaffle to an american gag is a big jump so you could understand his dismay. if you need breaks but soft mouth perhaps consider the mouthpiece - happy mouth? my mare is incredibly soft mouthed (cuts all the time total pain) and she loves a happy mouth.
what about a 3 ring gag happy mouth with 2 reins?
or a hanging cheek/baucher snaffle although may not be enough breaks for you

neue schule do a "jumper" bit, don't need a curb with it, might be enough leverage for you without the curb action?? can use 2 reins with it also. is pricey though about £45 but may be some on ebay

 

[Starbucks]

I didn't go strait form an snaffle to an American gag, I have tried a lot of things in between but they haven't maid a huge amount of difference. hence why I keep going back to his snaffle... "so you can understand his dismay" ummm, there only thing I said is that I didn't think he was making as nice a shape over his fences...

Anyway, thanks for your suggestions. I hunted him in a three ring gag for a while last year and I think it made him even stronger! Also tried him in a hanging cheek when he was younger in a lesson and lost all steering! He's a funny bugger!! He was quite well behaved this week in his plain snaffle so I think I might be ok now, if not I've borrowed a cherry roller snaffle so will try that next!

 

[Vicki1986]

Sorry thats just how your OP sounded my apologies!

i found a cherry roller no help at all but they are all different. what about a waterford mouth piece or does he not lean?

you can hire a Myler combination - i looked into it for my mare but still am undecided. i found a seller on ebay who has a shop she said you rent it and if you decide to buy it the price you have paid to hire is subtracted from the new price.

what about bitless?! i don't know a great deal about those just a thought. ridden in a hackamore a handful of times and does seem good although steering was a bit dodgy sometimes

the problem is bits arent cheap are they!! all the horses on our yard are big so i cant even borrow bits its a right pain!!

good luck!!

 

[chestnut cob]

Waterford snaffle or waterford gag? Good because they can't lean or set against you so easily, plus extra leverage if needed if you use the gag.

Myler Combi? I really rate Mylers but I wouldn't dare XC/hunt in my Myler Comfort Snaffle - it's just too mild to stop my steam train! Used a kimblewick for hunting on my Welshy which was great, it was a high ported, slotted cheek one.

 

[merlinsquest]

I tried a waterford snaffle for merl and he was just as heavy and leant like mad :frown:

 

[Starbucks]

I think i'm all good now thanks. I've always been one for under bitting, I think i can cope, so plain loose ring snaffle it is!

(for now at least!)