Spring grass, sponsored ride & bits!

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CobsGalore

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Usually forward going but very sensible cob got a little over excited at the weekend whilst hacking, and decided to conveniently 'forget' I was on board when cantering along a track with another horse.

He was getting faster and faster and wasn't listening to me in the slightest. Finally managed to pull him up but now worried that this spring grass is going to make our first sponsored ride next weekend a nightmare!

He is currently in a hanging cheek snaffle with a lozenge, but wondering if it would be sensible to try something a little stronger for the sponsored ride to make sure he doesn't conveniently ignore me again?

What would you try? a pelham maybe? or put a flash on?
 
CobsGalore said:
Usually forward going but very sensible cob got a little over excited at the weekend whilst hacking, and decided to conveniently 'forget' I was on board when cantering along a track with another horse.

He was getting faster and faster and wasn't listening to me in the slightest. Finally managed to pull him up but now worried that this spring grass is going to make our first sponsored ride next weekend a nightmare!

He is currently in a hanging cheek snaffle with a lozenge, but wondering if it would be sensible to try something a little stronger for the sponsored ride to make sure he doesn't conveniently ignore me again?

What would you try? a pelham maybe? or put a flash on?
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If your worried about breaks going on the sponsored ride, I personally probably wouldn't go from a snaffle to a Pelham, I would maybe try a dutch gag with a flash and that way you can still have the snaffle ring if you want it, or can move it down a ring or two for a little extra breaking :)
hope you have fun! :)
 
Tinsel Town said:
yea good idea to try it before hand :)

no just one set, you just move them down a ring :)
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No! Dutch gag should have 2 reins, same as a pelham. Also if OP's horse is in a hanging cheek them pelham with 2 reins would be a better bet as top rein will be the same is riding in a hanging cheek with the curb for extra brakes.
 
It's what I do for mine and works a treat in all aspects apart from hunting! It depends how comfortable you are riding with 2 reins, if you're not that confident then a kimblewick might be better, especially if you can get hold of a slotted one.
 
Broke_But_Happy said:
No! Dutch gag should have 2 reins, same as a pelham. Also if OP's horse is in a hanging cheek them pelham with 2 reins would be a better bet as top rein will be the same is riding in a hanging cheek with the curb for extra brakes.
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really? I've only ever seen them and used them with one rein! huh, your learn something new everyday!
 
It's incredibly rare these days to see them used properly - it drives me nuts! :( Especially if you have one rein on the third ring as the leverage is enormous due to them not having a curb strap.
 
Broke_But_Happy said:
It's incredibly rare these days to see them used properly - it drives me nuts! :( Especially if you have one rein on the third ring as the leverage is enormous due to them not having a curb strap.
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that would explain why I've never seen them with two reins! that's bad isn't it really, I'm not surprised it drives you nuts! knowing how they should be used!
 
I went from a snaffle to a Dutch gag and it was exactly what my welsh cob needed! It's perfect for her. I have mine with only one set of reins on the second ring down. I just make sure I am very careful with her mouth. If I had two sets I would be constantly using the second anyway!
 
Broke_But_Happy said:
It's what I do for mine and works a treat in all aspects apart from hunting! It depends how comfortable you are riding with 2 reins, if you're not that confident then a kimblewick might be better, especially if you can get hold of a slotted one.
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Not overly confident with 2 reins, especially on a sponsored ride! Will have a look at slotted kimblewicks, thanks :)
 
We did exactly this with my share horse. Her brakes can be non existent at times. She came with Waterford which we never used, tried a myler which worked for a time, she hated the Pelham, eventually tried gag and boom, immediately happy. I ride with two reins, as she doesn't need the second rein all the time, just a quick reminder. How on earth a second rein is dangerous I don't know?
 
pogface said:
We did exactly this with my share horse. Her brakes can be non existent at times. She came with Waterford which we never used, tried a myler which worked for a time, she hated the Pelham, eventually tried gag and boom, immediately happy. I ride with two reins, as she doesn't need the second rein all the time, just a quick reminder. How on earth a second rein is dangerous I don't know?
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Sorry, being dumb... What's a gag and boom? :confused:

Also, would adding a kineton noseband help or are these too severe?
 
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Your thread could be one i have written and i rang Neue Schule today ( love there bits) to see what they recommended. I am going to trial ( the horsebitshop) the trans angled universal bit they do. You can use on the snaffle ring for normal schooling and drop lower for faster work. Have a read about it as i used it for my last horse and it worked a treat!!! Control but still not a harsh bit at all!
 
italylyns said:
Your thread could be one i have written and i rang Neue Schule today ( love there bits) to see what they recommended. I am going to trial ( the horsebitshop) the trans angled universal bit they do. You can use on the snaffle ring for normal schooling and drop lower for faster work. Have a read about it as i used it for my last horse and it worked a treat!!! Control but still not a harsh bit at all!
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Yes I have looked into these bits before but they seem so expensive!

I suppose if you get to trial it first you can decide whether they are worth that much though? How long do you get to trial it for?
 
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