What bit to use???? Please help...

[bethg1910]

Hi all,

I have a 11y/o TB who is currently being ridden in a Dutch Gag, he is quiet 95% of the time however when he decides he doesn't want to do something he tends to take off. I tried him with a snaffle as dressage is my thing and perservered for 4 months, but he soon learned i had no brakes with this and became a bit of a nightmare, so we're back to the gag which he goes brilliantly in. I've only had him for a year and he came from a big riding school before that where he ws also always ridden in the gag.

When we have a dressage comp i change him to the snaffle on the day and he's fine with that. However my problem is his neck carriage is very high and it is very hard to get him to stretch down, and accept the bit and work in a proper outline. I realise the gag is not helping this so i need some advice on what else i can try.

Any help would be appreciated! I need something with some brakes as he just runs through the snaffle.

Thanks

 

[eventing09]

Maybe try a hanging cheek?
Although my mare hated it after a while because of the poll pressure so ended up going back to the usual eggbut snaffle, and mind you at first i had no brakes but now she goes fantastic in it, and as for the head carriage, i had the exact same problem, haha you sure you dont have my horse haha, anyway i just plunged into weakly lessons and now shes fantastic

Lots of bankwork helps too i found because it gets them to use their back which they need to use when your asking for them to come round

Good luck

 

[Silverspring]

Myler combo? If you ride in it quietly it's the same as a normal snaffle. If you take a stronger contact it's like a snaffle with a little hackamore effect which helps them to lower their head but using poll, curb and nose pressue. If oyu need super breaks and pull hard it's a hackamore and bit pulling against the horse.

My girl was in an American gag when I got her, she was literally unstoppable in that. In the English hackamore she was better but if she didn't want to stop she'd duck behind it and take off (Arab) with the combo I had the bit for communciation and the hackamore for back up but she wasn't able to duck behind it as easily. I've now got her down in a Myler snaffle when she's out alone and she has learned to respect the contact and brakes when asked (without too much debate) it took about 2 years to get there with her, just need to be consistent with your aid and contact and most of them will come round to the easy way of working.

 

[bethg1910]

Thank you both for your suggestions, i've spent a productive afternoon at work researching bits (clearly there is actual paperwork i should be doing however....) and i think i'll give the hanging cheek a chance and see how i get on. I've also emailed a Myler bit speacialist for some more info on their bits and explained what i'm looking for. So hopefully they will be able to come up with a solution.

Next dressage comp is in 2 weeks so will let you know how successful the bit changing is!