Transition/bitting advice please

[chaps89]

I have a 6 year old cob x mare who is still very green (think like a 4 year old) due to stops and starts in her education for various reasons including lameness’.
She is now (touch wood) sound.
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She has always been a bit of a fidget bum to ride- initially when I got her, to get on we would charge off at full pelt trot for a good 500 yards before we could stop. We now have it down to a walking lap of the yard. (I hate it, it’s rude but at least we are making progress) Equally if I ask for halt it’s always with reluctance/she’s instantly ready to move off (they’re more like extreme half halts) – she just wants to GO (tho never jogs or fizzes)
If I can stay soft and continue to use my voice she will ultimately listen- she’s the kind of mare that if I insist on something she will fight back. The issue is refining this so I have a more instant response and also if she wants to keep going she just will (rude I know) and this is where I need help.
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She is very reactive to my voice, less so to my seat and does require/take a reasonable contact.
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She has ALWAYS put her head in the air and been resistant to downwards transitions (in the school or out hacking, only with a rider on board but not just me, pro’s too) however earlier in summer with more consistent schooling was getting much better tho it was still noted by the judge when we went out to play dressage pony so still a way to go.
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Noticed about 6 weeks ago she was chomping on the bit a lot and either snatching the bit or resisting more than usual and opening her mouth when asked to slow/stop. Did wonder if it was fitness/tiredness related so scaled back the length/intensity of rides and am keeping any schooling sessions short but sweet, however it’s still happening and she is just a bit livelier for the lesser work (she is the kind of pony who you can get on after 6 months box rest and ride – which I did – with no yee-hahs so not exactly doing anything, just nicely forward to clarify!)
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Has had her teeth done last week by a BAEDT (with no problems or wolf teeth found) so no physical problem to blame, suspect it is green horse taking the mickey somewhat (she is the type to take a mile if given an inch) as well as it being a learning curve for her – she only ever really hacked before I had her and knows rudimentary basics – leg = faster, reins = stop so we have a* lot of refining to do.
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Was in full check lozenge/french link snaffle with quite a thick mouthpiece. Tried a straighter/thinner mouth-piece French link (with more of a kidney shape link) eggbutt at the weekend and it was horrid- head right up and mouth wide open like I was ripping her head off any time I applied any sort of pressure to the reins. Partially due to impatience (went on a hack with a sedate companion and we kept having to wait for him which she didn’t want to) but certainly the bit didn’t help. So that’s a definite no go.
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I had a lesson booked with my instructor tomorrow but a pony on the yard potentially has ringworm so that’s off so now I’m looking to the wisdom of HHO!
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It’s a 2 part question as I know it will be a combination of schooling and bit that will help!
1)***** Any schooling exercises I can use out hacking or in the school to improve balance/lessen resistance through downward transitions? She’s good with pole work and basic lateral work (shoulder-fore/leg yield/turn on forehand. Less so with rein back) and on the ground will halt nicely off the voice aids, now need this to lead through under saddle.
2)***** Any bitting suggestions to try please? Preferably ones that don’t break the bank. Don’t mind trying flash/grackle now I know it’s not physical but if I can avoid getting too ‘gadgety’ with her I would prefer to although appreciate it may have a place for the short term.
Sorry it’s long!
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[alibali]

Rather than a new bit it sounds like what she needs is to be educated to give to pressure rather than fight it and to understand the 'conversation' you are trying to have with her.

I broke my boy bitless and he responded to pressure beautifully bitless right from the start. It was rather a shock then when I tried using a bit and found similar mouth open/resistance/chomping issues no matter how light or firm a contact I use (I have very light hands to a fault so me being ham fisted wasn't the issue actually slightly the opposite!).

I tried on and off for a few years to get him to accept the bit happily but it never happened and control was so good bitless frankly I gave up. Then I started with a classical dressage instructor who educated my boy in responding to pressure (it took her about 5 minutes on the ground to teach him what I had failed to do in 2 years - humiliating ) and then proceeded to get us both into a dialogue through the bit. The difference after less than 10 lessons is phenomenal and my boy now goes happily long low and relaxed on a very light contact.

It sounds a little as if your girl like my boy is quite opinionated and needs to be asked, I needed to find someone to show me how to open the dialogue with my boy. Find a good sympathetic instructor who can teach you both to communicate better with each other and then it wont matter what bit you have in her mouth you'll both be speaking the same language regardless.

 

[chaps89]

I have a fantastic classical instructor who has worked miracles, but with ponies lamenesses our lessons have been somewhat interrupted and with probably ringworm on the yard I had to cancel/postpone the lesson I had booked for tomorrow (well, now today!) too. As soon as we have the all clear lessons will be back on absolutely as agree it will help immensely does sound like your boy is quite similar to mine so it's re-assuring to hear we won't (hopefully!) be like this forever!
The reason I wondered about bit was the chomping (not just mouthing the bit)/snatching that has started. Chomping is as soon as the bridle is on hence why I think it might need to be a consideration as it isn't just when she has a rider on board.
Gratuitous pic just because I can (and also I appreciate my initial thread was very long!)