Some bit advice please

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Tilda

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Hello all

I am just looking for some ideas of bits to try with my mare. When I tried her she was ridden in a jointed dutch gag but as she wasn't at all strong I put her into a loose ring single jointed snaffle when I got her home. She has been fine in this for hacking, jumping etc.. but I am now working on getting her on the bit and working in an outline and I think the bit may be causing problems, someone very knowledgeable suggested the snapping motion of the single joint may be hitting the roof of her mouth and making her lift her head.

So the problem is she throws her head up and down when I ask for flex. It is particularly bad in trot but she will also do it in walk. I tried a loose ring jointed snaffle with a roller but she really didn't like this as I think the roller confused her and now am trying her in a eggbutt french link. This was ok to start with but she has started throwing her head again and is also getting really strong in it.

Her back and saddle were checked last week and her teeth were done in May. It might just be we need to persevere but thought I would get some ideas of others to try.

Praline haagen dazs ice cream for anyone with any ideas thanks :)
 
Maybe a ns tranz angled lozenge or something like the ns starter, or team up or a demi anky or a verbidend. Or a nathe straight bar, or a mullen mouth or Cambridge mouth.
 
I would try out the Neue Shule (sp?!) Trans Angled Lozenge loose ring. The metal they use horse's tend to like as it is softer. My mare goes really well in it schooling/dressage comps and she has a tendancy to throw her head up, however I do have to use a stronger bit for jumping. They also do a hanging cheek with the same mouth piece, perhaps she prefers the 'gag' type action on her poll.

I've heard the lady who you speak to on the phone at Neue Schule is very helpful at explaining and suggesting the right bit to try. I'm currently going through the nightmare of trying different bits to use jumping and it is a pain! You just have to keep trying I'm afraid!

Sorry I'm not of more help!
 
Thanks all lots of really good ideas there. I was thinking of trying a rubber straight bar next as I have one available to borrow and I think she prefers something more stable but some of the others look interesting. My friend used an NS bit on her mare after consultation with them over the phone and then had a trial so I may well give them a call and see what they recommend.

Littlemissmoneypenny its great to hear what worked on your mare and very good point about the gag action so maybe a hanging cheek would be better.Well trial and error it will be.

Just another question is it ok to try a bit a few times and if she's unhappy swap straight to another new one? Last time I swapped back to her jointed in between while I looked into alternatives. Obviously if she has an extreme reaction I will change it straight away!

Thanks again for all your advice.
 
I've never really thought about swapping back to the original bit but if she is happier in that than the one you are trying I would, I usually pop in her NS snaffle for schooling/hacking though and try and keep the stronger bits for just jumping.

I had her in a straightbar rubber/vulcanite pelham and was fine to begin with but now if I jump her in it she goes wooden and locks down onto the rubber chucks her head up and tows me towards the jumps in excitement! But I can't hold her when she did this so have to change!

It is interesting as when I put her bridle on with the pelham she would be very difficult but with her NS bit and a KK universal I have been trying she stands there and opens her mouth, so I would keep a look out if your mare does this!

Can I ask what breed she is? I think the different shapes of mouth have a massive part to play. My mare is about 17hh but quite a petit head and small mouth so prefers the smaller width mouth pieces.
 
Can I ask what breed she is? I think the different shapes of mouth have a massive part to play. My mare is about 17hh but quite a petit head and small mouth so prefers the smaller width mouth pieces.[/QUOTE]

Tilly is a 14.3 TB x (we think NF). She actually has quite a big head for a little horse lol.

Is it just that you have issues with brakes in the bit for jumping is that why you need something else or is it the action of the bit that means it isn't suitable? Sorry I probably sound like a bit of a numpty but I've never had to think about bits too hard as my last horse I just rode in the bit he came with!
 
Yeah, it just seems to be mostly at shows she gets excited in the ring and once over the first jump she thinks it's great fun to go faster! she likes the action of the trans lozange but the snaffle doesn't apply enough pressure to her poll, but I've found with the universal trans lozange she will come back to me a lot easier and quicker after a jump, it's just the approach I now have to work with.

I know all my previous horses were a lot easier and came with the bit they always had!
 
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