Twisted Snaffle or Kimblewick?

[Hairy Horror]

My horse when in large groups or pleasure rides becomes very strong. He is a chunky 15.1 HW dales X cob. He gets himself in a tizz and has to pass every horse he sees. Don't get me wrong he does not bolt but he has a lot of adrenaline and is very forward. He can open his mouth to avoid the bit so you end up a passenger with not much to say. I have been told that a twisted snaffle or a kimblewick may make him listen a bit more and maybe a flash. The last ride I did I was asked if he was a stallion because of his shall we say presence 🙈. Surly I am not the only one to experience this, please tell me your success stories, before I am forced to stick with dressage.

 

[Shay]

They have very different actions. What is the horse in now? Is the issue with brakes or steering? Or both!

 

[Hairy Horror]

He is just ridden in a neue schule verdibend in the school and for his dressage competitions. I have used a happy tongue gag with rollers for his pleasure rides but it's not very effective as he can go behind it and still open his mouth. I have found a double ok brakes wise when going forward but when we have stopped on hunts rides and he wants to go forward he has gone up. This was probably my fault and I was maybe a bit strong on it but he would not stand still and wanted to canter off soon as we hit grass. The bit I need is for brakes and to ask him to listen. I do not ride with a flash at the moment but have been advised too. Normally he is very mannerly when in the school and in a small group hacking. He is 14 and the older he is getting the more excited he his getting with these rides.

 

[Kat]

I would add a Mexican grackle before changing the bit if he is opening his mouth to get away from you. (Providing he is comfortable in his mouth and only opens his mouth or crosses his jaw doing exciting stuff).

If you still need more it would depend upon how he is reacting to what you use now. A twisted snaffle can be good if they lean or bear down on the bit, a kimblewick will be rubbish in those circumstances but can be great for a horse that needs extra brakes and doesn't object to leverage, you could also consider a dr bristol, a waterford, a wilkie or a cherry roller all harsher snaffle type bits that are OK to use with one rein but you need to understand the action and your horse's needs.

 

[AmyMay]

Bang a kimblewick on him. Fabulous bits, and my go too tool for a strong horse.

 

[Kat]

They are fabulous bits I agree Amy may, I hunt in a Uttoxeter Kimblewick and it gives me enough that I can be light and gentle without getting an over reaction. However I wouldn't suggest one for all horses, as the curb action doesn't tend to suit a horse that tends to tuck it's head to its chest as an evasion.

 

[ester]

I can't get my head around using a twisted snaffle tbh. If he is head down and curling/tanking then perhaps consider a cheltenham gag OP, and I would maybe try a waterford (with noseband) - though my one experience of cubbing Frank in his waterford was not great for either of us!

 

[Hairy Horror]

Thank you for your replies, he does curl away from me, grab his bit and off we go. i have got a Waterford I could try maybe this would stop him grabbing it, it's loose ring, could he wear this with a Mexican grackle? I have also in the past tried a gag but again he just grabs and goes. He is a tank, but a safe one thank goodness. What
My worry is that he is going to hurt himself as the adrenaline takes over.

 

[tallyho!]

Kimblewick all the way. Twisted bits?? Yuk - why would you put one of those in an animals mouth you love?

A pelham or kimblewick with two reins (not roundings as this puts the curb in a permanent "on" position) will be idea as you can train the horse at the same time to accept the snaffle rein but "check" the speed with the curb when needed.

I had a strong hunter and these bits were ideal. I love the fact that you can still use them with a cavesson that is loose enough to let them release the tension in the jaw (and relax) when you're stood still.

 

[Shay]

A kimblewick can produce an extreme reaction if the horse does not respond well to the curb and poll pressure. They can be a bit of a blunt instrument. Only the myler one is effective in a horse which grabs and leans. I share the dislike of twisted bits - there are so many bitting solutions these days personally I would explore a bit more before resorting to one of those.

OP - you can hire bits from the bit bank (And get great advice too) which might stop you paying out a fortune for bits which don't work.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

He's opening the mouth to evade, so closing the mouth would be the first thing to try. Not by strapping him shut so he can't move, but by having the noseband snug enough that he can't open his mouth much. Then see if you still need more brakes.

You asked about a grackle/waterford combination, that's fine to use. A grackle can be used with pretty much anything.

Try what you have already, borrow from friends if none of your bits are suitable and don't be too hung up on size. If a bit is 1/2" out either way it can still be useful to try it, to see how the horse reacts, then if you decide to stick with it you can buy one in the correct size.

 

[dreamcometrue]

Bang a kimblewick on him. Fabulous bits, and my go too tool for a strong horse.

Agreed!

 

[MaMurphy]

I also needed brakes on my 15.2 Irish mongrel and tried a Kimblewick which worked in lessons but I felt was rather strong - i was probably more frightened of it than he was! - I then got a neue Schule waterford and it has transformed both our lives! He doesn't lean on it and my arms no longer spend their time in a medieval stretch torture position! We have brakes and he listens - bliss!

 

[Hairy Horror]

Thank you so much for all your replies, I do own a neue schule Waterford so I will give it a try again. I hate the idea of a flash and or stronger bits but I need more control, goodness knows what people thought about us on our last pleasure ride, they were all walking nicely and we flew past like red rum. He has bruised his feet as he was just running on adrenaline, I did stupidly have a turtle top snaffle in.