Steering

[Clodagh]

Which bits are best for steering? As in straight bar, single jointed, french link types or waterford? Or is it irrelevant? I ride ponio is a fulmer french link and steering isn't great, she tends to fall out through her shoulder, which I am working on. I need to change the bit but don't want the steering to get any worse!

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

done her teeth? some sort of cheek snaffle will help! back to basics ! bends circles and turns and transistions!! falling out through shoulder requires leg to correct. get a good instructor?

 

[MegaBeast]

I changed my mare from a full cheek NS tranz angled lozenge snaffle to a full cheek waterford and we now have steering! Couldn't turn left for love nor money when jumping before (in fact have worn the rubber pimples off my left rein) but now with the full cheek waterford it's wonderful, would really recommend it - and was only £15 !

 

[Kallibear]

It's much more likely to be a schooling issue than a bitting problem. A full cheek will make your signal clearer to the horse but if she doesn't want to do it it's not going to matter what she's got in her mouth. She does need to be comfortable to follow your directions however, so whatever mouth peice she likes the most, with a full cheek or D-ring.

My boy's in a full cheek french link and was broken last year. Inititally his streering was rubbish because he didn't understand what I was wanting. Now his streering is perfect MOST of the time, except when he's being a brat and doesn't want to go where I've asked him to go. He's an opinionated little ratbag at times so the full cheeks in handy then.

 

[Clodagh]

Kallibear - thats her precisely! Shes fine 99% of the time and when I ride her, using my legs, she doesn't fall out either. When shes being stubborn its like riding a log.
She is intended to be my sons next pony, hes 9 and needs her to be a bit more push button. She can be ignorant with her brakes, too, hence the upping of the bit and I was wondering whether any particular mouthpiece effected sterering.

Ofcourseyoucan - she has had her teeth done and much as I hate schooling I do it occasionally or pay someone else to do it, when I can afford it!

Megabeat, I love waterfords but am worried about them being a bit severe when used by children.

Thanks all for your thoughts.

 

[Kallibear]

She either fully understands what you're wanting but DOESN'T WANT to do it, she fully understands what you're wanting but feels she CAN'T do it or she doesn't fully understand what you're asking.

The first is an attitude problem and probably more deep seated than just steering. Ground work and polishing her manners and attitude will do far more than a different bit will. However a more severe bit (something like a pelham) may just be the little edge you need to say 'you WILL do as your asked'. Or it might just make her resentful, anxious and worse. It depends on her nature.

The second is more serious. She either physically can't manage what you're asking (sore back, sore teeth, lack of balance or muscling) or she's got issues which the reprocusions of carrying out your instructions as directed (e.g she's frightened of a corner or she's stressed about being away from the other horses) A new bit may make her more physically comfortable if you get one that suits her mouth better but putting more severe bits in will make her more stressed if it's a mental block.

Finally, if she doesn't understand what you're wanting you need to school her better. A new bit may make your meaning clearer, although the full cheek you have already is probabaly the best there is. A jointed snaffle came be a bit clearer in signal as the sides work independantly, but she needs to be comfortable with it as othewise she won't be able to concentrate.

I don't beleive there are any mouth peices that are so good that they improve steering dramtically. However I think there are plenty of mouth pieces that the horse finds more comfortable and therefore can concentrate better on what they're being asked. Which is why bitless bridles can work wonders sometimes.

 

[Clodagh]

When she doesn't understand something she plants, steering not an issue you just don't move! That hasn't happened for ages, but was what she did if 'Overfaced' with an ask.
The falling out/wriggling is more when we hack out on her own, she wiggles all the way up to the road, half way I lose my temper and give her a boot or whack and then she goes beautifully!
When children jump her she wiggles on approach and was running out, although I had a small teen jump her a lot and shes got a lot better.
She doesn't like single jointed bits, shes happy in straights or french link. I'm hoping to save the kimblewick/pelham for when shes older. I have a wilkie but it may be too small, will give it a try. I appreicate your thoughts.