Sponsored Ride - Breaks needed!

shannonandtay

shannonandtay

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Daughter would like to take our 14.3hh Connemara on a sponsored ride in a couple of weeks in a small group but is worried about stopping! He is currently in a loose ring snaffle which he schools and jumps really well in. He can be strong on hacks but with some good lessons from our instructor this seems to be going well (touch wood). I spoke to our instructor to ask if she thought it might be worth changing his bit for the sponsored ride and she said to try either a Pelham or a Kimblewick. Obviously I would try him at home in it first, but I was unsure, as she wouldn't cope with two reins in that situation so would have to have roundings for the Pelham and I thought maybe a kimblewick might be quite severe, but maybe I'm wrong on that. Any thoughts anyone?
 
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If you don't already use these, you could try flash and martingale with the current bit, or go for a gag which has the same mouthpiece if he's happy in that. With rein on the lower ring.

Agree two reins probably too much knitting for her first time and she will be out for a few hours if it's a longer ride.

Has she been out for group gallops/hacks on him? That would be good prep to see how he goes and test out a new bit combo.

Heading out with a good nanny horse is also a brilliant idea, especially if said horse doesn't mind you using its bottom as brakes lol
 
Thank you, yes have tried a flash on him he doesn't seem any different with or without, never tried a martingale as he doesn't carry or throw his head high. She gets a bit nervous on group hacks and this is when he gets strong. There is only four of them going on the ride so not too big a group and there is a nanny horse going which the rider has said she will keep a special eye out for daughter, think its more the thought he might get too strong which is making her worry, but thanks for the ideas.
 
I was all ready to say, "Go in the hedge" "Dont drink too much coffee beforehand" "Use immodium" then I realised you meant brakes lol not breaks.

For brakes - I agree with what has been said already
 
you could try a bevel bit or Wilkie type bit ... I have a 14.2 snaffle mouth and when I want a bit more this is the type of bit a swop to ;)
 
Martingale or neck strap is quite handy to grab onto, or to help in bridging your reins and keeping your hands down, which can be handy if he gets strong :)
 
I think you might be better off just going with one other this time. I find a pair's useful support. More than that & the herd instinct can take over & whatever brain the pony had has fallen out... :)y
 
Echo the gag suggestion but using the same mouthpiece. My Connie gets a little more excited on sponsored rides so I tend to swap from a french link snaffle to a french link gag, which does the job and means no fighting. I did try a Kimblewick once, seemed ok at home but once out had absolutely NO brakes at all. Hope she has fun!
 
Thank you for all your replies, I hadn't even thought about a neck strap / martingale which is a really good idea. I think I might have to hire a couple of bits and see which he goes best in. I was thinking a wilkie myself but then instructor suggested the kimblewick. Perphaps a gag might be worth a try with the same bit piece hadn't thought of that either, so much to choose from nowadays lol.
 
I think it depends on how he gets strong - does he tuck his head in/throw it up/lean or run through the bit?
Depending on those answers you either need a gag (with roundings!)/kimblewick or pelham/ or a waterford respectively.
 
Broke_But_Happy said:
I think it depends on how he gets strong - does he tuck his head in/throw it up/lean or run through the bit?
Depending on those answers you either need a gag (with roundings!)/kimblewick or pelham/ or a waterford respectively.
Click to expand...

Ok that makes sense, from what daughter has said as I haven't seen him do it myself it seems that he has run through the bit.
 
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