Suggestions on bits?

[roz84]

Hi,

Just a bit of advice needed! I have had my new boy a couple of weeks and have ridden him twice now - know very little about his history except he was ride and drive, and he hasn't been ridden for a year. I've started him in a loose ring snaffle but he doesn't seem very happy in it - throws his head up if any pressure is put on the reins. Does anyone have any suggestions of a different bit I could try?

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

As you have not had him long and it is only your second time of riding and like you say he has not been rideen for a year, I would not change his bit. You are doing right. He is not used to the pressure and needs to be started again gently and sympathetically. Changing the bit will only cause you issues and resentment in the long run.

Do some gentle schooling and give him a chance, his muscles need time to build.

GW

 

[Eriskayowner]

Have you had his teeth checked? I'd start here if not.

What joint have you got on the loose ring? If its a single joint, I'd try a French link or lozenge or an Myler with an MB04 mouthpiece.

Without being stereotypical, I'll assume that your ex-ride and drive is a cobby of done description? If so, they tend to have large, fleshy tongues do a small port (hence the MB04 recommendation) might be wise.

Ask your dentist what would suit your boy in terms of mouthpiece.

Good luck.

 

[Zargon_91]

Personally I'd switch to a fixed cheek, loose rings are very nice for horses, but unfortunately unless you have EXCEPTIONALLY still hands they can feel any little movement and lots of them don't like it. I'd also reccommend lunging in side reins/Pessoa to get them used to the bridle and going forwards to a contact first

 

[charleysummer]

Id get teeth check first definately, my horse did this to the point of actually going up it upsetted him that much to start with! he HATED movement in the mouth.

I began by using a fixed cheek rubber mullen mouth, which he loved- but he started to lean on it and I couldn't use very refined aids in it, so i started to lunge him in an equi-ami using a loose ring french link with quite a thick mouthpiece- he settled doing this, and when it came to introducing it to him ridden- after a couple of sessions teeth grinding and throwing his toys out the pram, he really accepted it and now goes 200% better than ever as he can't lean, its nice and gentle and can give him refined aids !