What Would I Need? (Bits/ Nosebands etc)

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ForeverBroke_

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Out hacking Darcy is usually 100%, he doesnt bolt etc but sometimes can be a bit 'slow' reacting when i ask him to stop, if this makes any sence. Half halts etc work but i have to start doing them a fair bit earlier than when i need to and this isn't sometimes feesable , e.g if i need to stop suddenly.

Anywho, i took him to a sponsored ride yesterday and he was much the same as usual but he was quite racey and wanting to be either right up behind the horse infront, or right up infront. Towards the end, possibly as we both got tired his head got lower and lower etc until the end i had to just stop purely because we reached the end of the track
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He's currently in a loose ring with a running martingale, would i be better off getting maybe a slightly stronger bit? or a different noseband etc. He's got quite a soft mouth for schooling etc so i dont really want anything super strong.

Thanks in advance
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I'd thought about one but just wondered whether its more a case of changing his bit or changing his noseband
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Someone suggested going down the full cheek route and then putting the little leather bits on (Hopeless with terminology) but im about as knowledgable on bits as an egg
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A full cheek bit won't help you stop - a hanging cheek snaffle will give you a bit more poll pressure but if he's heavy in your hand when he's running off that won't help either. You need something that will keep him 'up' and light rather than being able to lean.
 
i went from a pelham with a port to a full cheek french link snaffle and keepers (the little leather bits) with running martingale; shes ok for a few canters, like one or two.. but then the third yesterday was a bit hard to stop; but we were on the way home
hanging cheek didnt work with wilma
waterford worked for a certain amount of time, but then didnt work
 
We tried every possible bit on Ben who used to set his jaw and stick his head in the air and just go. We found a Myler comfort snaffle with the reins through the bit ring and not the holes provided in the ring works a treat and he is much happier.
 
Try a lozenge bit. I found this works on my mare who has a habit of being slow to respond to my aids. I can lift her head up with it and get a quicker responses to aid, especially turning and stopping.

I use a grakle with mine as she crosses her jaw occasionally.
 
For leaners try a waterford or gag
For horses who put their heads in the air try a curb such as a pelham/kimblewick.

A hanging cheek can make leaning worse, but it depends on the horse.

A full cheek with the keepers will help with steering and will give a little poll pressure.

Is the snaffle you use a single joint? If so, consider a french link or lozenge type before going for a stronger bit.

If your horse opens his/her mouth consider a grackle or dropped noseband depending on the type of bit used.
 
Sorry meant to say, its a french link and has a noseband. I was thinking of going down the grackle route with a lozenge, but didnt want to seem like i was doing it for 'fashion,' like a few people on my yard do
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