strong pony- bit/tack ideas

[HeatherJ]

okay, so i didn't really know where to post this, but decided on here

i have a 14.2 arab x welsh sec d chestnut mare who i have had for nearly 5 years now. For the first 2 years she was ridden in a plain eggbutt snaffle and a cavesson noseband however i swapped the cavesson for a flash which was advised by a previous instructor of mine. The flash worked really well however thh snaffle just wasn't strong enough when jumping as she just sort of runs through it? So i was advised to try a dutch gag just to give me some more brakes. however, i had to go back to thh snaffle for dressage which after cutting out jumping all together and concentrating only on flatwork we eventually managed to complete a half decent prelim(for her anyway) although our highest score was 47%:-$

but i am now looking for a solution as now that it is winter, she is being ridden less and i would like to find a bit/tack combination for everything, would really likee to stick with a snaffle although in order to have any control at the moment i am having to use a gag. even with her flash on with any bit she will try and open her mouth and fight it and without the flash she will open her mouth evading the bit, crossing her jaw.

sorry for the essay, but any ideas would be much appreciated but please, do not have a go at me, due to limited transport, i have no longer got an instructor and do not have access to a school, so most of the work i do during the winter is hacking or the odd time out at dressage which is purely for the opportunity to ride in a school and 'have a go'.

ohh also forgot to mention, the pony in question is 21 years old, so not exactly a spring chicken. x

 

[Javabb94]

have you tried a wilkey snaffle made by flyde saddlery, i think robinsons do a copy one called a show ring bit

its a snaffle ring, with two sort of loops within the ring, was designed to use in showing when only snaffles are allowed but its classed as a snaffle but works like a a gag

 

[HeatherJ]

thanks for replying, i think i do have one of those lying around somewhere, will have a look. Do you think i should try it with her flash or? x

 

[Javabb94]

I used mine with a flash as my horse sometimes got excited and tried to evade the bit, i would try with a flash to start with its a good combination, my horse is now onto a little stronger gag to stop him putting his head down!

 

[HeatherJ]

okay will try that, thank you:-D! x

 

[HeatherJ]

after doing some research, was also thinking of possibly trying a grackle noseband, due to her crossing her jaw? x

 

[HeatherJ]

any more ideas would be much appreciated x

 

[charlie13]

i have similar issues while jumping and i always ride in a grackle can do flat in snaffle but have to jump in universal gag hears a pic mine is 14.3 and goes great in this combo

 

[HeatherJ]

ah okay yes, will have a look at that, thanks so much for the advice! x