What bit would you recommend?

[ElvisandTilly]

Hi there

Need some bit recommendations....

My new boy who has just gone 6 is currently ridden in a french link eggbutt snaffle but when I ask for slow or stop he just sets his jaw and sticks his nose out and ignores my request so it takes some ugly looking pulling to stop or slow him!! I would like my aids to look subtle! What bit can I use that is still mild but he will actually listen to??

Thanks

Sharon

 

[Bert&Maud]

If he's a very green 6 like mine, the answer is probably not in the bitting, but in making him stronger so that he starts to take his weight behind rather than on your hand. Millions of transitions and loads of hill work are making a big difference to my horse, but it still doesn't look pretty all the time!

 

[Bert&Maud]

Forgot to say, I've got mine in a Neue Schule Tranz Lozenge loose ring, I wanted the Trainer but they're like hens teeth at the moment!

 

[CrazyMare]

NS bits are fab. 6yr old gelding has improved alot since having his, much lighter in the hand - change of bit combined with schooling. Mare is also in one, different cheeks, same lozenge and has finally started to be soft and trust the contact.

 

[kerilli]

i'd probably change him to a full-cheek with either a single joint or a small lozenge in the middle, with a loose correctly-fitted drop noseband.
however, i totally second what Tass says... a lot of it is to do with your hands, and finding (by guile and good training) ways of preventing that reaction of his.
i'd get his teeth checked first, if you haven't already.
when he sets his jaw, soften your hands immediately, then ask again. and soften. and ask again.
just keep repeating your aid nicely, without getting stronger. he's trying to get you to be stronger so he can react/lean against it, so if you have the confidence and self-discipline to just calmly repeat your correct aid, you will call his bluff and win.

 

[ElvisandTilly]

Thank you all for the great advice! He is a little green will try the NS bit if I can find one! Will also try the softening hands as soon as he sets his jaw and asking again. I had his teeth done last week and they did have some sharp edges. Will try everything suggested and thanks for all your replies.