What Bit, Please help

K

Khantu

New User
Joined
11 October 2005
Messages
3
Visit site
I bought a pony from a friend who also at the time gave me a rubber pelham as we knew the pony could be strong. She was never very happy having the bridle put on with this bit but at the time I put this down to the fact that she had'nt been worked for sometime and was just making faces for that reason. I began using the rubber pelham and initially it wasn't too bad (bearing in mind pony not well schooled at all) after a while I ran into problems where she was trying to bolt off and continually pulling. I got a very experienced friend to ride her and see what she thought and she advised me that the pony was terrified of the rubber pelham and was doing anything she could to run away from it. She obviously has quite a sensitive mouth. My friend took her back to basics and schooled her several times in a fulmer snaffle with very good results. I then started riding her in the fulmer and did quite well, but on a couple of occaisions she has done a bunk with me and whilst I've done my best to stop her with my seat and not hang on her mouth, there are just not enough breaks with this bit. On the last occaision I came off and really hurt myself. I thanked my lucky stars at the time that we hadn't been out on the road. The rubber pelham I used in the beginning was incredibly bulky and I don't think this helped. Would it be worth trying a stainless steel pelham as this isn't anywhere near as bulky. Desparately need to find something that pony is happy with and gives me the brakes I need before all confidence goes out the window. Any advice greatly appreciated.
 
Some horses like things like peanuts/lossengers or french links you could try one of them in a snaffle. I use a hanging cheek snaffle with a french link with my 4yo and she loves it and i used to have to ride her in a dutch gag. just have a play around with different types of snaffles first.
Hope this helped.
smile.gif
 
pelhams are very very strong, and my equine dentist told me he sees lots of horses with splintered jaw bones (yes, honestly) from them.
frown.gif
( the rubber/vulcanite ones do a lot of damage because people think they're gentle and so use them very strongly.
i'd try a waterford... something she can't lean on at all, but which is comfy (it has rounded, fat bobbly bits linked together) until used. it's my 'miracle' bit... they go along very happily in it, but get a bit of a shock when they try to lean on it and scoot off! just make sure you get one with proper 'shoulders' - i.e. the end parts of the bit, where it joins the bit rings, should be rounded like a barrel, not pinched in, so they're comfy for the corners of the horse's mouth.
good luck!
 
Thank you Gucci B, yes teethies have been checked, have previously tried a happy mouth snaffle but she was too clever for that! Have also considered a bitless one, but not tried this yet.
Thanks sooooooo much for the link, I will have a good nose around there to see what I can find out there. I just want to get is right for her.

Thanks kerilli, I am horrified that your dentist told you pelhams can cause a splintered jaw bone....................my poor pony!!! I know pelhams can be strong. I've been so lucky in the past as all my horses arrived with bits that have never needed changing. I've never heard of a waterford but that sounds an interesting option I will have a look around and see if I can find one. I will let you know how it goes. Thanks again
 
Thanks fattie hattie & masterbronze for your suggestions. I will look at all these options. (God Bless Ebay is all I can say, I will probably buy myself a selection of bits and then resell the ones I dont have any success with!
 
Why don't you try one at a time from a bit-bank? You an only try one at a time anyhow. shop4bits are very helpul and will do this for you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top