smellsofhorse
Well-Known Member
I have a 11 year old hanoverian, He has done some BE before i bought him, we have done unaffiliated shows together but are only getting serious this year due to his injury last year (frectured his leg, thinks hes a stud!) and my time of due to an operation (old riding accident)
For the few months i couldnt ride he spent at a good equestrian college, this helped his flat work.
When i first got him i used a straight happy mouth for flat work but changd to a jointed happy mouth. When he came home i didnt feel he was going right in it, he was too strong and leaned on it so i changed to a lozenge bit. He seems to like his.
When i first had him i jumped him in a three ring gag, at the time i new he didnt go well in it but didnt know what else to try.
So again when he came home i tried a hanging cheek lozenge bit this seemed to work for a few sesions.
Cross country i was recomended a tomb thumb, problem there solved.
It was also recomended to use a market harborourgh, again for a few sesions this worked, tried the tomb thumb but problem not solved show jumping.
I tried a rubber pelham, he competed in an intro in it and did well but imidiatly after started stopping.
I took it off and have gone back to the hanging cheek, but we now have issues, hes been stopping alot almost afraid.
I dont use the market harborough often but this seems to have the same effect. ( i never used the two together)
So my problem is hes big and strong so i need control but something not too strong that will make him back off too much even scared to jump.
I think this has traumatised him!
I need breakes for my use not his!
Which bit is next for me to try?
For the few months i couldnt ride he spent at a good equestrian college, this helped his flat work.
When i first got him i used a straight happy mouth for flat work but changd to a jointed happy mouth. When he came home i didnt feel he was going right in it, he was too strong and leaned on it so i changed to a lozenge bit. He seems to like his.
When i first had him i jumped him in a three ring gag, at the time i new he didnt go well in it but didnt know what else to try.
So again when he came home i tried a hanging cheek lozenge bit this seemed to work for a few sesions.
Cross country i was recomended a tomb thumb, problem there solved.
It was also recomended to use a market harborourgh, again for a few sesions this worked, tried the tomb thumb but problem not solved show jumping.
I tried a rubber pelham, he competed in an intro in it and did well but imidiatly after started stopping.
I took it off and have gone back to the hanging cheek, but we now have issues, hes been stopping alot almost afraid.
I dont use the market harborough often but this seems to have the same effect. ( i never used the two together)
So my problem is hes big and strong so i need control but something not too strong that will make him back off too much even scared to jump.
I think this has traumatised him!
I need breakes for my use not his!
Which bit is next for me to try?
