Thoughts On Bits

[Maeshowe]

Just started schooling a new horse for someone and the bit he has in is completely the wrong fit so I've been told just to get whatever I want. I have a few ideas but just want to pick everyone else's brains before I commit someone else's cash!

*Typical cob - good natural head carriage
*Quite a small mouth for his size (only 4")
*Doesn't need a strong contact except when he takes it into his head he doesn't want to play anymore and then off he goes (bulldozer then required to stop him)
*He's primarily a carriage horse so is used to being worked in a Liverpool bit
*Mouth conformation is pretty standard - no thick tongues or anything
*Will eventually be shown in a double bridle

So from that list any thoughts????

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

loose ring lozenge nice and simple, what ever bit you have, if horse wants to tank of it will.

 

[KatB]

Lozenged bits are my personal fav, but JP bits are fab aswell, as are more anatomically shaped than a normal snaffle.

 

[Nari]

Mullen mouth pelham if you aren't aiming at dressage. Ridden with two reins it should act as a "half way house" to a double & you can school mainly on the snaffle rein but have the curb action availabke if you need it. If he's driven in a Liverpool bit he should be familiar with a curb action already.

What were you thinking of trying?

 

[diondelmonte]

Double linked or mullen mouth snaffle I'd say for the time being.

 

[Maeshowe]

I was thinking of riding him just in either a straight bar snaffle or pelham just because he's used to a straight bar bit.

As it transpires I tried the pelham and he seemed uncomfortable in it so I stuck a french link snaffle in and he was quite happy in it. So I'll school him in that for now and then I'll work up to the double bridle in time...