Stronger bit vs stronger noseband

skully

skully

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Just looking for people's opinions before I buy a new bridle. Pony is a 14hh connie X with an attitude who leans on the bit a little and occasionally has a delightful habit of grabbing the bit in his teeth and running off with me!! He's mostly well behaved nowadays to school and to hack, and is usually in a full cheek waterford snaffle with a very loose (practically nonexistent) cavesson. For jumping he gets excited and strong so I'd like something a tad firmer to be able to hold him a little easier. Am I better to go for a grackle noseband with the waterford or to stay with a cavesson but change to a stronger bit e.g. gag on the second ring?

Just eyeing up a shires avignon bridle but they don't sell separate nosebands for them in the same style so I've got to commit. I was sold on the grackle then read one of those articles about how they trap nerves in the face etc and changed my mind again!

Thanks xx
 
skully said:
For jumping he gets excited and strong so I'd like something a tad firmer to be able to hold him a little easier. Am I better to go for a grackle noseband with the waterford or to stay with a cavesson but change to a stronger bit e.g. gag on the second ring?

Just eyeing up a shires avignon bridle but they don't sell separate nosebands for them in the same style so I've got to commit. I was sold on the grackle then read one of those articles about how they trap nerves in the face etc and changed my mind again!

Thanks xx
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It depends on what he is doing in order to evade/become stronger. A grackle will help if he crosses his jaw. A gag on the second ring (assuming you mean dutch gag) will help if you need slight poll pressure. So, more info needed really. A on the ground instructor may be better to advise than anyone on an internet forum though.
 
I would probably try a NS Universal with a Waterford mouthpiece and 2 reins. You can hire them from a bit bank to try before you commit to buying, they are not cheap! However it does depend on what he does when he getsw stronger.
 
If you want a bridle that gives the option of a flash or no flash (without the annoying flash loop) have a look at the new EvoEquine Ltd bridles.

They are quite chunky and hunter looking but are super comfortable for the horse. It may just help to have a bridle that is comfortable but holds his mouth shut when required so as he can concentrate.
 
My boy is similar (except he's 16.3!) and a 3 ring Waterford gag with 2 reins works really well on him. I'd definitely go with 2 reins though and only use the bottom one if you really have to. Alternatively a hanging cheek might give you just that little bit extra if you only need a little bit more.
 
Annagain, purely out of curiosity do you use a curb on your gag?

I can't really offer advice, so many variables, I am a huge fan of myler combinations and military reversibles but of course that is personal.
I prefer to overbit with something a horse respects rather than underbit with something everyone else thinks I should use.

Bitting is very much try, try and try again until you find something that suits, I am still working on my horse :(
 
Enfys said:
Annagain, purely out of curiosity do you use a curb on your gag?
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No, when I was trying to find the right bit, my instructor recommended the Waterford gag when nearly all else failed and said I could always add a curb if I needed to make it stronger. It's given me very good brakes without so I haven't added it. No idea if it does actually make it stronger though as I'd never been in this position before!
 
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