What bit/noseband combination?

[Jingleballs]

I'll taking C for our first XC training this weekend and wanted people's thoughts on which combination of bit/noseband we should use?

He's ridden on the flat in a Jeffries revolver loose ring - goes nicely in it but does sometimes need a flash as he'll open his mouth occassionally and can be a bit strong in it when jumping. I've used it for hacking and the brakes are not 100% with just his cavesson.

I'd bought him a loop ring lozenge which I'd tried out just on the snaffle ring, again with no flash. He seemed happy in it but when I took him SJ he did get quite strong so I'd decided to put the cheek pieces throught the loose ring and the reins through the bottom loop (hope that make sense) - unfortunately, I noticed it was rubbing him slight so have ordered a new one which has still not arrived .

So, worst case scenario, if the new loop ring doesn't come I'll be riding in the revolver.

I have a flash noseband, grackle and kineton (never used this on him yet). Which noseband would you start off with? My friend highly recommended using the grackle as she could see him trying to cross the jaw slightly so I’m thinking revolver and grackle.

However, if the loop ring does arrive would a loop ring and a grackle be going the extreme? I think I remember reading somewhere the ideally loop ring should be used without flash or grackle?

He's a HW cob and the main issue is him rushing the last few strides and falling onto the forehand so need to be able to keep him in a nice collected, bouncy trot.

Any thoughts?

 

[teddyt]

I personally wouldnt go xc in tack that i hadnt ridden in several times before. Different bits/nosebands change your communication. It may improve it but it may not so imo its not worth the risk trying out tack for the first time on a xc course.

I always think less is more. But it all depends on your horses level of schooling (and yours) and his mouth conformation as to what combination would suit best. Horses usually cross their jaw because they are experiencing discomfort, this could be from the riders inappropriate contact or the bit is wrong for the horse.

You should use what is safest for the job at his current training level but ensuring that he is actually comfortable in whatever you use as if the bit isnt comfortable it will make things worse, not better!

 

[Jingleballs]

Thanks - the bit is definately comfortable - he goes brilliantly in the revolver much better than any other bit we've tried but he has a very thick set neck and lots of exhuberance when jumping and tends to ignore aids that he will happily respond to doing flatwork.

Dentist has confirmed the bit is perfect for his mouth and his mouth is in my dentists words "beautiful".

He is very soft and responsive on the flat but just gets over excited jumping.