sj bitting help!

I_A_P

I_A_P

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 March 2005
Messages
5,869
Visit site
hi!

i have had a few issues with sj as my mare does tend to be a bit careless and had a few rounds where she was too fast and a bit silly...almnost as though she gets wound up by nerves/excitement then puts in sily strides geting too close or putting in a few dodgy jumps.
I am now having as many sj clinics as possible to help me.
i had a lesson just over a week ago and we tryed her in a dutch gag (i normally ride her ina hanging cheek french link) she didnt go too badly in it and i found it gave me enough of a hold and let me ride her fowards without hger rushing off or charging into fences carelessly( my god i make her soud like a crazy horse!)
anyway it didnt go too badly so decided to give it a go.
I went to an eventer trial today and although she jumped nicely and i had good control going into fences and liked the way she felt as she wasnt ulling or getting away with me or running flat....she threw her heard around a lot. mostly when turning and im sure i wasnt yanking as i was very ervy careful today not to take a pul in that bit.

im just wondering if you have any experience with a horse like this and what bits may be worth a try.
as she jumped nicely i think im going to have a nother lesson in the bit to give it a try and ask advice of my instructor as well but any siggestions would be much appreciated.
its almost like i need the stregth of the bit but maybe she just doesnt like the poll pressure???
i have a clinic with another instructor in just over a week so hopefully they can give me some ideas but any uof your valued advice would be much appreciated!
smile.gif
 
i have never liked using gags, but my mare was very stong when jumping.
used her normal hanging snaffle, and a kineton noseband, which applies pressure to the nose but not to the poll. she went well in it.
also used a myler cobination bit, which has nose and poll pressure.
she at first went better in the myler, but then after a while went better in the kineton. dont hink she liked the poll pressure that much
i would say also that she got used to them after a while, so its best just to use them to jump in and keep to a snaffle at home
 
ooh they maybe a good choice....i can take her xc in a french link! and shes fine i dont think i need something overly strong almost just somethng to get her to pay attention if you know what i mean! and just keep with me!
i ride in snaffle at home as well
smile.gif
 
yeah, i just liked the kinteon, because they still have their snaffle in but you just have that little bit of extra control.
its not horrible and severe, and i put abit of sheepskin over the leather strap on the nose just to make it more comfortable.
 
I had exactly the same problem with my mare, rode her in a hanging cheek snaffle but she used get away from me between the fences and because we were travelling pretty quickly she got very careless, even though shes a naturally scopey horse. I found any slightly stronger bit i used she'd throw her head around, and we'd get some pretty bad cricket scores ( around B.E Novice tracks) ! I tried a vulcanite pelham, with the curb chain on very loosely, and it worked! Have a nice controlled horse now and lots of clear rounds!
 
i have not tried a pelham!! maybe definatly worth seeing if i can borrow one of someone to ghive it a go!

 
I have slightly the same prob ....... my pone like to sj at xc speed but is 95% careful

I tried a kineton ....... he wasnt so happy, he didnt like the gag action of the 3 ring and wasnt overly happy in the mouth in a dr bristol ...... what i found he like was a waterford mouthpeice. Then found a waterford pelham which he is really happy in
smile.gif


But what made a big difference was having a lesson witha good showjumper ....... he was going about how eventers like to ponce around the showjumping (in a jky was) .... he said horse doesnt need to b working round as such but needs there head up so they can snap up their shoulders and use their front end! So rode hands higher.... therefore his head higher and started to get much better results in the jumping..... the head was up and forward ..... ok may not have slowed down so much but jump was better stride came easier etc....
smile.gif
I dont know how you ride your showjumping round but just thought id add it
laugh.gif
 
thanks very mucyh any advice is much appreciated!!
i dont worry about her being too round she does tend to like to have her head up sj anyway!! i just try to stop her from getting flat!!
very interesting thankyou
smile.gif
 
I am experimenting with Jasper atm as he does the same thing. Everyone suggests something different.

A neue schule wilkie/beval bit works quite well, some gag action but not much.
 
Finni (as you may have read) is a demon SJ and XC and tries to snatch the bit and steeplechase
smirk.gif


Have been riding him in a Myler combination bit - not as hideous as it looks and used properly and sure it's kinder than many bits. Really recommend it. Has meant that I can ride lightly with my hands again, and use my seat and legs.

They are expensive (£90) but you can hire them. Try speaking to this lady if you are interested - she will give you advice on this bit and others
smile.gif


http://www.abitdifferent.co.uk/
 
I had a few problems with my new horse recently, basically I started to ride him in a snaffle but as his confidence grew he got to strong and we were just getting long and flat. I tried a couple of bits, a three ring gag which was just too much for him as it was basically stopping hi in his tracks. Also tried a pelham but again was too much for him.

So decided to use the same bridle that I use on my other horse and I was impressed with the results.
Its a mexican noseband bridle, which allows for extra control without over bitting and a fixed ring waterford snaffle - this allows him to go forward which he likes - but I have enough control to not let him run with me.

So far its looking good, I guess the real test will be when we move outdoors but then I hoping I will have learnt how to ride him by then!!
 
When you said you tried her in a dutch gag - did you swap from a french link to a single joint?

If so probably the nutcracker action annoying her - the gag may still work but you need a lozenge or french link version
 
I use a wilson snaffle in my mare, she was strong but if you put any bit in that had poll pressure it would stop her dead. This is a common driving bit but has no poll pressure only direct mouth contact. Plus they are really cheap only £15!
Think there was a article in H&H recently about them
 
Yes but a wilson acts to crush the side of the face pushing the cheeks against the teeth.

You certainly need to check you have no hooks on your horses teeth before even thinking about a wilson.

In a single joint form it ranks with a barry gag for being uncomfortable for your horse!
 
As with all bits it is dependant on the horse and the riders ability that determines the overal effect of the bit.

Very harsh to take such a view
 
[ QUOTE ]
As with all bits it is dependant on the horse and the riders ability that determines the overal effect of the bit.

Very harsh to take such a view

[/ QUOTE ]
I have used a barry gag & wilson - I just wanted to point out the effect of the bit in question.

More information people have the better!

I still believe the most unkind bit you can use is a single joint snaffle with rough hands!
 
yes i did go from a fernch link to single jointed dutch gag.....hadnt thought of that...but she is also used to a single jolinted bit as well for hacking and flatowrk...so would it still have the same impact?

thanks everyone for you advice it is very very helpful and wil try and take all of it on board..shall let you know how i get on
smile.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top