What bit do you use for a horse that backs off the contact?

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penina

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As in title really; I'm not a heavy handed rider, but my horse has a tendancy to back off and hollow when he's tense. I know this isn't because of the bit, but was wondering what people with similar horses use, to see if I can try anything new? He's currently in a full cheek, sweet iron snaffle.
 
Not sure if they still do them, but I used to use the Nathe bits, my old boy kept backing off from the bit, when I brought him he was in a loose ring snaffle. Anyway, my instructor suggested a Nathe Loose ring snaffle and we never looked back. After using it for 6-8 months, I then started using a french link snaffle with him which he accepted brilliantly.

Obviously its trial and error and of course would be something to consider along with looking at his teeth, his back, fit of tack etc. I remember the Nathe's were on the pricey side, maybe look at the bit bank to see if they do them? I've just looked at the Nathe bits and now they do them jointed - when I first used them they were all straight. They are fully flexible and really are fantastic.

Good luck
 
Personally I woud be trying to make the contact as inviting as posible by making everything steady in his mouth. I would try a drop noseband with either a D ring or an eggbutt ring snaffle. I might even try a hanging cheek snaffle with the drop.
 
Thanks for the suggestions, just to clarify, back, teeth etc. have been done, I will talk to my instructor about the drop noseband/nathe bits and see what she thinks, always good to have a brainstorming session on here so I have some ideas to suggest!
 
A full cheek Myler mullen snaffle, originally with fulmer keepers, worked for us. He tended to drop behind the contact & go too round though, not hollow & above it.
 
A horse backs off the contact because:
1. rider contact too fixed
2. bit doesn't fit his mouth or tongue
3. he's not in front of the leg

any or all of these.

I WOULDN'T be putting a drop noseband (or anything but a cavesson) on him.

Might be worth trying a Happy Mouth - but the most important things are a quiet, giving contact and getting him FORWARD!
 
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