Thoughts on bitting?

[ohmissbrittany]

I have a big mare that flats well enough in a waterford snaffle (she's a very "busy" horse and tends to lean when she gets tired so this mouth works but it's almost too busy for fencework), and I love her in the Trust flexi-mullen combo for jumping because she's a lot "sweeter" with nose pressure first and it's a soft quiet mouthpiece. It stops her faffing round a course, just rides a bit smoother. I don't flat in shanked bits because you lose lateral subtlety.

HOWEVER, the bit I use for jumping has a short shank with plastic mouth and I find that as she's getting fitter and stronger, it's not quite enough and I'm having to pull quite forcefully for a half halt about 50% of the time. I'd rather something stronger that requires less brute-force for a check??

Would you go longer-shank but keep the soft mouthpiece, or add some mechanics? (looking hard at the Trust combi with the waterford mouth... I want to be able to reinforce the "wait" so I can give a better release knowing I'm not getting railroaded to the next fence)

I 1000% realize there's some schooling that needs to be done, and I have this problem less at shows where everything is new, or coming off a short turn - if she sees a long straightaway down a combination/grid she just hauls arse and leaves strides out. She gets bored/cocky over low familiar fences at home and I confess I'm nervous putting them higher to get her attention all the time.

 

[Leandy]

I'd concentrate on the schooling. She shouldn't be running through the bridle whatever you have in her mouth. That said, if she is strong like that it would not be the shanks I was looking at changing but the mouthpiece itself. I would replace with metal of some sort rather than the flexi. Alternatively, if the nose pressure works better than the bit perhaps try a hackamore.