Strong Bit to a Snaffle?

3Beasties

3Beasties

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Hypothetical question alert due to some early Sunday contemplating!

If a horse was backed using a strong bit (say a pelham) and ridden in it for a while before being put into a dutch gag, do you think you'd ever be able to get it to respect a snaffle?

Thoughts please!

(I know a lot would depend on the horse and how it went in the above bits - it may not need the strong bits at all).

Disclaimer - No I haven't backed my horse in a pelham and nor have I any intentions of doing so!
 
Yes. And sometimes you can have more control with a milder bit as the horse is more inclined to accept the contact than fight or drop behind it.
 
I think so, mooney was ridden for 10/11 years in a gag before we changed it to a hanging cheeks snaffle, she could be hard to hold occasionally jumping but it improved her dressage no end!
 
I must admit I have dropped the level of brakes on quite a few strong unruly horses very succesfully, including from a dutch gag to a snaffle, especially where they tend to go with there head high and resist. Also horses who have been driven first generally get used to much harsher bits, then switch to a snaffle with no real problems.
 
Done it. My old boy was always ridden in pelham i dropped to snaffle with no real problems. Only didn't use it for fast work only because he was a pig and didn't want to risk it but jumped in school and all that with no issues
 
Great thanks guys, I didn't think it would be an impossible task but just wanted some reassurance.
 
My TB was hunted in a dutch gag (not with me thank goodness), raced in a kineton, and is now in a loose ring magennis snaffle. He's lovely in it, so much better :) He's done fast hacks in it no problem, feel totally in control! So yeah... can be done.
 
I bought my boy at the beginning of the year - he had bolting issues, then had been unridden for a year!!! :eek:
He had been broken in in a pelham and only ridden in one, I was told "he has never had a snaffle mouth"!!!
I believe every horse has a snaffle mouth or should at least be given the chance,
In view of his bolting history - I took things slowly and very gradually.
To cut a long story short, in 6 months we are now happily working in a loose ring snaffle for all disciplines, including jumping and working hunter.
I show in him a double as I have to for affiliated (ridiclous but that's another discussion altogether) but I ride him off the snaffle as much as poss although his being in the show ring does get his blood up somewhat.
The bolting issue was in his head, never in his mouth, he still has issues but his panic button is a lot smaller now and as long as you don't grab onto his mouth which is his biggest fear, he's fine. He has learnt to accept a good contact now and has learnt to go forward on his own, he felt as if he was being chased before and would panic and run. You can take a good contact and he knows this is a good thing now as it is all kept relaxed and positive.
So, everyone individual in different of course but I always believe in less is more, the less "equipment" you have, the better result you'll get because it will be relaxed and willing. He will still "take a hold" on the odd occasion but I have found by relaxing and not reacting, he lets go rather than lets rip.
Will be an amazing coblet for the future :)
 
My boy came to me in a pelham, he's now competed + hacked in a french link snaffle :)

He actually prefers the 'softer' bit and so doesn't resist me half as much as he did in the pelham!

As someone posted above, if he does get strong in his snaffle, I just loosen my reins and without anything to fight against he slows down :) silly pony!
 
Our welsh a was an old driving pony(hadnt done anything for roughly 6 year before we were gifted him in jan) we have him in a gag just for hacking round farm as he doesnt get his saddle till tomorrow, so excited, but he just power walks on the buckle so will prop just change to a snaffle
 
If you are in doubt you could try a cheltenham gag - I have a lovely peanut centre snaffle one and ride on snaffle rein all the time unless we are doing fast work at which point I pick up the gag rein (hold both all time but you know what I mean) I feel its best of both worlds - I would love to just ride on snaffle but he is very strong in fast work and will take the mick when possible (good as gold to school) he will also be ridden on the gag rein hunting.
 
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