Training Bits HELP

[DIESELSUPERSTAR]

Hello, I bought my 5 year old gypsy cob in June, he is very well behaved, and very soft mouthed. He is in a training bit which is basically a loose ring snaffle with a half moon port in the middle which faces up away from the tongue. All I can find on these bits on the internet is that it relieves pressure from the tongue and puts it elsewhere. I figure he was in this bit as he was owned by an affiliated dressage rider who was fairly hard on his mouth, used draw reins and generally only cared about him being in an outline at all times. Whilst riding him recently he has started pulling down and almost stretching out his neck. I ride on the roads with a loose contact and his saddle has been fitted recently. So im a little concerned about why he has started to pull away and am wondering whether the bit is bothering him. If anyone has any experience with these bits I would appreciate any advice, and what bit would be good to move him on to. The dressage rider did also start riding him in a pelham in the school but im thinking more a snaffle or french link would suffice! Thanks

 

[pennyturner]

Doesn't sound to me like he's resisting the bit. More likely he's experimenting with stretching his neck after being trussed up by his previous owner. Your loose contact is allowing it, so he's trying it out. Try to make it clear that he can't just do it when he feels like it. Keep a positive contact but 'let him' have a stretch from time to time - it can be a nice exercise to drop the reins and ride off the leg/seat for a bit, which should make him think about listening to you, and stop him feeling he needs to fight you for his head. He sounds a sweetie, and it would be a shame to bit him up, when he could learn to stretch down on the contact politely with a bit of gentle encouragement.

 

[Bantry]

Doesn't sound to me like he's resisting the bit. More likely he's experimenting with stretching his neck after being trussed up by his previous owner. Your loose contact is allowing it, so he's trying it out. Try to make it clear that he can't just do it when he feels like it. Keep a positive contact but 'let him' have a stretch from time to time - it can be a nice exercise to drop the reins and ride off the leg/seat for a bit, which should make him think about listening to you, and stop him feeling he needs to fight you for his head. He sounds a sweetie, and it would be a shame to bit him up, when he could learn to stretch down on the contact politely with a bit of gentle encouragement.

This is good advice, stretching down is a great exercise but it should be when you offer it. Otherwise it can end up that when he needs a stretch he'll just yank the reins out of your hands. If he has been previously ridden in a very tight or cramped outline it would be worth getting him seen by a physio, those neck muscle could need work. Also considering his age a visit from the dentist would be in order. You can discuss the shape of his mouth, tongue and palate with the dentist which should help deciding what sort of bith suits him. Cob types often have large fleshy tongues and so thin bits suit them better

 

[DIESELSUPERSTAR]

Thanks, that is all so helpful. in fact when my saddle fitter first came out she couldn't believe the size of his neck, yet he had no shoulder at all. I've had him 3 months now and he's hanged so much, to the point where my saddler saw me at a show, ran over and said h

 

[DIESELSUPERSTAR]

Thanks, that is all so helpful. in fact when my saddle fitter first came out she couldn't believe the size of his neck, yet he had no shoulder at all. I've had him 3 months now and he's changed so much, to the point where my saddler saw me at a show, ran over and said how astounded she was at his development and how he now looks normal instead of just a massive neck!! Hacked him out today and when at the end of the ride he began being cheeky with the bit I asked him softly into an outline and to stretch out his stride, got him to bend both ways (he finds this difficult on the left) and then loosened my rein and allowed him to stretch out, and then picked up contact again. And finished my hack with a little no stirrup work as well so I was pleased with him and think I will just have to make sure he doesn't think it's his idea to pull down. Will definitely have teeth checked and will at some point get his back checked but for now I think he is a little bit cheeky and seeing what he can do !! Thanks again for your replies!!