stronger bit - I really don't want to (long one)

[dunc_n_toby]

My 5YO is always ridden in an eggbut snaffle, always has been. Last year he hunted for most of the season, my YO took him and put him into a dutch gag or bubble bit with two reins one on the snaffle the next on the middle ring, he'd never hunted him before. I hunted him myself in this bit and he was terribly over bitted to me so I put him back into the snaffle.
When I took him out autumn hunting this season for the second time he was very strong. He doesn't particularly pull just locks onto the bit when we gallop so much so that a couple of times I had to circle him to stop him.
I am reluctant to change his bit as I believe it becomes a viscious circle.
I think it's excitement and that he will settle as the season goes on but what do you all think

 

[RunToEarth]

My coloured did settle to a certain extent after the initial change of seasons, and became reasonable in a pelham. I think your attitude is great, but sometimes you have to admit that perhaps a snaffle is not enough. Take him out a couple more times, if he settles great, if he doesnt then I think a bubble bit would be great. You are usuing it correctly so for 90% of the time you can just rely on the snaffle rein, not needing to touch the other at all. Happy hunting

 

[Lynz25]

My welsh mare did the same by locking her jaw - if I put her in a stronger bit it made the job worse. I found that by putting a flash on used to do the trick. With my showjumer I would put him in a grackle just to give myself a bit more of a braking system. My mum's new forest had decided that he likes tanking off with me so I'm going to try him in his loose ring french link with a flash and if that does not work a Continental snaffle with 2 reins will be the next step.

Personally I use nosebands prior to increasing the strength of the bit. The mare used to be in a Dr Bristol with her previous owners - she just used to tank off more - I put her in a rubber coated snaffle and for jumping a flash nose band - seemed to work better for her.

 

[Salcey]

I agree with the noseband theory - worth a go first and then prehaps try a continental which would give you a variety of options depending on which discipline your doing.