what bit do you have your cob in?

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caroline23

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i have a 5yr old cob, he is currently in a french link but out hacking he just ignores it, in the school he is better but still leans on bit if asked to halt (ok for downward transitions as use seat and voice more than reins for this)

what does anyone else have their cob in? i would like a bit more breaks (to go along with the schooling) as we go further out hacking and start doing more exciting stuff, he has bolted in the past so is also for peace of mind although i know a true bolt no bit would stop anyway, he is strong with quite a chunky neck so when he leans down when ignoring it is a problem
 
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i have a 4yr old chunky cob who can be strong but fortunately have brakes to die for (at the moment !) voice commands work extremely well. i have him in a full cheek myler comfort snaffle. i found that he would "mess" about in a normal eggbutt type snaffle, mostly putting his tongue over and generally being very fidgety. with the myler i have found he takes the contact really well and is light on the reins and listens to me.
 
i bought mine at 4yo and although he would halt, he was never what id call light, im working on this in the school to try get more lighter responses but it all goes out the window when we are out and about!
 
My cob thinks she's a bulldozer and if you use an 'ordinary' loose ring snaffle I don't think she actually notices it. I tried a Kimblewick - magic! We are both a lot happier when I am in control ;)
 
MS - yeah i have thought of a kimblewick but then someone said it was a lot to put on a 5year old? i am not a bit expert so dont know its severity? cant wait for that moment where he halts nicely at a junction so i dont have to circle him! lol

BB - yeah i had tried a dutch gag(2nd ring) but he just resisted the poll pressure instead of listening, ive read somewhere that cobs dont respond well to poll pressure? or as well...not sure on the reasoning behind this though!..not heard of a revolet
 
I think a bit is as severe as the hands that use it, but I agree some bits have more potential to cause harm. For Bulldozer Mare quite a lot of the effect was using a straight bar rather than a jointed. For some reason that kept her attention much better.
 
weird as you would think that they would lean on a straight bar more than jointed lol did you use a low port? doing a quick google there seems to be two types, a one with low port and a mullen mouth?
 
mine is extremely strong but also very sensitive. I have had him for 3 years now. We started in a 3 ring gag on the bottom hole but now he is mostly in a hanging cheek snaffle.However for faster more exciting things I use a kimblewick. I have the Utoxeter one(slotted). He is responsive and seems happy in it. I just wanted to school in a snaffle for when I eventually get him out for a spot of dressage.
 
i am planning on keeping him in the french link while schooling then kimblewick when hacking/xc/anything exciting, now its just deciding what type of kimblewick...haha what are the different slots for?
 
Many cobs have fleshy mouths and tongues so thick bits might not be the best. I use a good neue schule pelham with a tongue port, and also a pee wee, both of which are very good.
 
when I first got my boy I used a waterford as he leant on the bit so much, he is now in a french link loose ring snaffle at all times, but it took quite a while to get him to listen to seat and other aids but was well worth it.
 
I find that most cobs go better in some form of curb bit, pelham, double bridle, kimblewick, whatever. Has to be better than hanging out of them in a "gentle" snaffle. Many don't like the "pincer" effect of a jointed mouthpiece, and using the curb groove adds another effect for them to listen too. Keeps them off their front end a bit too.
 
Current cob is in a loose ring snaffle with lozenge for everything. He is strong at times but containable, if we were to go hunting I would want him in something else, as I get the feeling I would have to start nagging if we were hunting in a snaffle. To his credit though, he is very responsive to the seat.

Prev cob was ridden in D-ringed French link and went very well in it schooling/jumping/light hacking but was put in a low ported pelham with curb chain for XC/hunting. She was less responsive to the seat once she got going and was easy to control in that even at high speed/power!

Good luck finding the perfect bit!
 
i wish mine was fine is a french link snaffle! but id rather be light in a less 'kinder' bit than heavy in a snaffle, which is what happens sometimes. think i am going to trial a waterford and a kimblewick and see how he goes in them, he finds everything very exciting atm as we have just moved to a new yard so hacking is new and exciting for him, so the extra breaks will be appriciated! lol
 
I agree, I'd hate to nag on my current boy's mouth but am so lucky he's good with my seat. Same reason the past girly was in the pelham really, not as good as listening so daren't risk going out in the snaffle for fear of a dead mouth!

Let us know how he does and if the breaks work! :)
 
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just re-read the info on that, and it says not suitable if horse leans or grabs at bit...is there any type of kimblewick that is suitable?
 
There is an interesting article about cobs and dressage in this months Horse and Rider about how to get your cob light and listening and the differences between schooling a heavyweight cob and a thoroughbred/warmblood if anyone is interested.
Mine is a Welsh Cob so don't know if that counts - she wears a myler hanging cheek for dressage and either a Parelli cradle (similar to a myler short shank comination but comes with pretty headstall) or rope halter for hacking depending on if I want to do serious hillwork or just have a mooch along day.
 
yes, part of reason mine leans is that he is 5 and we are just starting schooling to get him to carry himself instead of trying to make me! however he is also opinionated and will try go in whatever direction he wants to if he feels like it, so i hope over time this will lessen, will have to find a copy of horse and rider! its just something to feel safe when out and about atm as we had a few bolts at previous yard and dont wish to repeat the experience! lol
 
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my loan is in a dutch gag (the three ringed ones) with a running martingale, she is very strong but seems to be okay with it, i dont have the foggiest about bits, her owner put her in it long before i had her so i dont know what effect it has, she puts her head down a lot in the walk, literally trails it on the ground and is strong when jumping
 
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