What Bit Would You Suggest?

LittleSoph

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26 June 2008
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southeastriders.myfanforum.org
(Also in CR)

I'm in such a muddle at the moment re. Freddie's bit...

At the moment he's in a Neue Schule beval bit with a lozenge. He was broken in this bit so I've kept it as a constant for now.

The plan has always been to get him completely settled (not helped by the fact that we've recently had to move yards again) and then eventually change him to something dressage legal and simpler. I was thinking maybe a hanging cheek, as it is similar to what he's used to, with the poll action... then this would hopefully be his bit for life, with the exception of using a double for showing eventually...

But, as some of you may have read, recently he p!$$ed off with me for no good reason just in the school... I'm worried about going to a milder bit. His old owner says put a stronger bit in, but I don't think this is the answer... And eventually I really would like to get him going in a snaffle, but is it too soon?

He's only four so I don't want to mess about with his mouth too much. What would you do/try?
 
Why was he not broken in a snaffle? I think I'd try him in a few different mouthepice snaffles to make sure he is happiest in the lozenge, and then use a hanging cheek (Which doesn't actually have poll action...), or other type of snaffle with that mouthpiece, and work on the schooling to stop him running off. If it is just in the school is he bored? Bitting up such a baby will only lead to more problems later on.
 
My ponio is going nicely in her french link hanging cheek.
smile.gif
 
I've always been told that a hanging cheek just has that bit extra pressure on the poll?? You learn something new every day don't you, lol.

I don't know why he wasn't broken in a snaffle... I think it was all they had to fit him at the time and he was backed by show pony producers. No idea... not my decision but it's what I have to work with so...

Hmm... might have to get hold of a few hanging cheeks with different mouthpieces and see which he feels nicest in.
 
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