This is going to seem really dumb but......

C

Christmas_Kate

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Please forgive my stupidness, but I am asking this as I want a wide range of views.

Pony is currently in a french link loose ring snaffle. He seems fine in it except (and we are long reining ATM), he has no brakes! I want to keep his bitting as simplistic as possible as he's for little kids, and he's only 4 himself.
I initially thought I should try a fulmer french link snaffle, so tried one on him, but (and yes, i am wet) it looked so horrific on his little face I took it straight off.
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. Then i thought well fulmers are more for turning and we have no problems there. He turns just fine, nice and responsive (except when he has his piggy head on lol).
Anyway, i thought a hanging cheek snaffle (again french link) for the poll action, but have now been told these are for driving?
He also has a habit of sticking his head up, but as a 4yo I don't expect him to carry himself that correctly, it's not right up but he tends to move with his nose stuck out (and sometimes very hollow).

I really want to keep things as basic as possible, so what should I use? a fulmer or a hanging cheek? or should I go for an eggbutt? Oh, and can I lunge in either?
 
Hanging cheek (baucher) are very popular for childrens ponies. I'd go for that. I use a french link baucher on daughters pony. She doesn't really need brakes but its there for just in case.
 
To be honest I dont thing a stronger bit is the way to go - I suspect he just doesnt understand what you are trying to get him to do. Try lots of walk halt transitions until he gets the idea. He is only young.

His head will be up because he lacks balance and is perfectly normal at the beginning. Dont worry too much about it - when he finds his feet and balance the carriage will be much lower.

I personally hate hanging cheek snaffles
 
Thanks, I can see where you're coming from and trust me, I wouldnt go for anything stronger unless i felt it was needed. He DOES know what to do, but being a little welshie sometimes gets a bit pig headed and sees grass and goes "yay!!".
 
We use a hanging snaffle on my daughter's 12.2hh pony and find that she carries herself much better than in a normal snaffle, although there is only a small amount of poll pressure. My children are not very strong with their seat and legs and this just seems to help the pony keep a better shape. When we first bought the pony she used to throw her head in the air on approaching fences and if she wanted to evade the bit when she was cantering (to try to bolt off!), we used a standing martingale on her then, obviously any jumps need to be quite small with a standing. Now, with more schooling, she does not need a martingale at all as she has learnt to come onto the bit and does not throw her head up. Hanging snaffles-great for kid's ponies!
 
My lad didn't like the hanging cheek but he goes really well in a waterford when we are jumping & he gets a little excited. It gives him brakes & he salivates well in it. For normal groundwork/dressage a frenck link snaffle with centre lozenge similar to a KK is what he likes.
 
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