Very strong and over bent - bit suggestion please!

056775

056775

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A competent 11 year old has started riding my 13.2 arab x.

I cant stress how strong he is so please bare this is mind

He is ridden out in a pelham with double reins and goes nicely in this

To school I have used a loose ring french link to encourage him to relax

1st time riding him she went in the pelham - worked nicely but SERIOUSLY over bent...

2nd time only in walk in the french link - looked looser and nicer but she was a little worried about him pulling so much

I have asked her to try with the french link as he gets so worked up in the school any way (has always been fizzy and excitable in all arenas from his JA days) but she feels safer in the double reins

I am going to let her and hopefully when she knows him work back to the softer bit - but any suggestions of other bits that I could for some middle ground?

We need good brakes with no/little poll action

By the way he over bends due to some one using draw reins on him - not a mouth to chest jobby to avoid the action on the bit. Just a touch on the bottom rein and hes looking under his belly when hes in the school!
 
a kimblewick will have the same effect as the pelham.

if shes giving riding in the pelham then i'd just stick with it. Tell her to loosen the curb and pick it up if neccesary.

At the end of the day, she needs to be safe and I wouldnt feel comfortable having to pull in a "soft" bit in walk either.
 
Get her to leave the curb rein looser, so she would have to shorten it to use it. That way she has the mental security that its there if needed but is only riding on the snaffle rein.
 
To be honest it sounds like re-training would be the best thing. The overbending will take a while to sort out. Stronger bits = more pulling. Work on lots of transitions, calm and slow, maybe lunge before a lesson to get the beans out. The brakes should really come from the seat and position with just a reminder on the bit, not just from the hands.
 
Thanks guys - last time she had the curb rein loose but think even the weight of the reins on it makes him aware and bendy. Going to try maybe trying it up short so its just resting and not being used as even on the snaffle rein there is more of a force than the french..

Yes he does need training agreed and hopefully this will come with her. He's too small for me and at 26 YO is quite set in his ways and while an improvement would be nice - a huge difference is unlikely

He doesnt really "calm" and is just one of those VERY forward going animals... No one can believe his age and fizziness, but hes been like it whether he's fit, semi retired, about to go XC, just finished a 20 miles endurance race, the boy does not stop... In 20 years I've never seem him tired or any where near it!!

He does love his job just takes enthusiasm to the limit...

PS back, teeth, saddle etc all regularly checked so hes not fizzy due to "problem"
 
might be worth trying a Neue Schule Verbindend (if you can pick up a second hand one or hire one), will help to lift him infront and gives a little more respect than the french link, plus the loose ring helps to stop leaning but not severe enough to go overbent from.

p.s I might be wrong but I was always told curbs shouldn't be too loose as can actually be more severe, maybe due to port pressure onupper palette or something..
 
lara b said:
might be worth trying a Neue Schule Verbindend (if you can pick up a second hand one or hire one), will help to lift him infront and gives a little more respect than the french link, plus the loose ring helps to stop leaning but not severe enough to go overbent from.

p.s I might be wrong but I was always told curbs shouldn't be too loose as can actually be more severe, maybe due to port pressure onupper palette or something..
Click to expand...

Thanks so much - have never heard of that bit and willing to give some thing a chance!!

Sorry meant the rein either not in use "loose" or around his neck other wise yes - if you yank it (hence was loose and took the contact) or have the chain loose - its very severe

Thanks again!
 
You could try a hanging cheek snaffle with a French link as they can sometimes give you a bit more control than a loose ring/ eggbutt. Also if you wanted something to help bring her head up a bit a full cheek Waterford works well as long as you have good hands.
 
Cameo206 said:
You could try a hanging cheek snaffle with a French link as they can sometimes give you a bit more control than a loose ring/ eggbutt. Also if you wanted something to help bring her head up a bit a full cheek Waterford works well as long as you have good hands.
Click to expand...

Much appreciated
 
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