Struggling With Bitting?

[ChestnutHunter]

Really struggling to find a bit that suits my mare!
Shes really fittened up since I've got her and shes very strong (ex racer)
She came in a 'magic bit' with the port, but ive been doing lot of jumping with her and brakes are really an issue. Obviously I've tried different schooling exercises but doesn't seem to work!
Ive tried her in a loose ring french link which was awful. She's also been in a happy mouth hanging cheek and she's getting there but I'd still like a little more control!
She has a 4.5inch mouth so its really difficult! Suggestions?

 

[competitiondiva]

Could try a waterford snaffle?

 

[spotty_pony]

I agree with competitiondiva. Also, a Wilkie Snaffle might be worth a try as it will give you a bit more leverage, but without scaring her.

 

[ChestnutHunter]

tried wilkie she was quite strong in that

 

[Luci07]

or maybe a happy mouth gag snaffle of some description? sorry not to be more specific!

 

[spotty_pony]

Hmm.. does she lean on your hands? If yes, then your best bet would probably be a waterford snaffle.

 

[competitiondiva]

And if the waterford doesn't give you what you need, then you could try one of these:
http://www.nsbits.com/index.php/spo...ose-lever/tranz-angled-lozenge-universal.html not cheap but the NS bits are designed for the small mouthed (or large tongued!) horse, my friends horse showjumps well in one of these.

 

[fatponee]

I ride my ex-racer in a happy mouth gag snaffle on the ring under the main one. He was quite strong when I got him but goes really nicely in this.

 

[spotty_pony]

I ride my ex-racer in a happy mouth gag snaffle on the ring under the main one. He was quite strong when I got him but goes really nicely in this.

That's the bit I was looking for but couldn't find it. This bit will give you a bit more leverage than a Wilkie so if he was still strong in the Wilkie, this might work.

 

[ChestnutHunter]

thanks ill look into them all!

 

[dooble]

Mine's v strong, especially if I lose her attention. She loves to lean After 6 years of trial and error, I'v found the perfect bit - a myler hanging cheek with low port snaffle. Heaven...

 

[letrec_fan]

Not necessarily suggesting you shouldn't put her in a stronger bit but how long have you had her? My ex racer never wore anything more complex than a french link snaffle because he had a tiny and fairly delicate mouth. Admittedly, it took us a long time (of highs and lows) but I got there in the end with just this bit and he very rarely rushed into a fence (at home!) and he was fine in the school. Out hacking he improved, it was only behind others in canter but I reckon we would have cracked that if he hadn't been taken so soon. If I were to have gone on a sponsered ride I think I might have tried a 2/3 ring gag on hole up from snaffle with two reins. We cracked it through partnership and lots and lots of schooling! The bit my boy had was an NS, Salox one.

 

[jhoward]

Id be looking at changing the bits material rather than a stronger bit, as an x racer generally they actually have soft mouths.

and maybe look at no joint or single joints, I find with the smaller mouths the french links etc can sometimes be nearnly the width of the tounge, so can pinch, I think you can get straight bar snaffles still.. or something with a tiny roller in the centre, or small lozenger.