Which Bit??? (and a hello from Spain)

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Mallorcarider

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Hi, Im new on here........great to join such an informative forum... am looking forward to meeting new people with new fresh advice and information.
My name is Lara and I live and work on a jumping yard in the heart of Mallorca. I am currently working on my BHS exams to become an Instructor over here. I am already at Stage 2 and am about to book my 3 and PTT for the same week!!!!

Ok to the point I am riding a spanish / french trotter (mix) that up until lately was used in a riding school for both novice children and adults...... I have been riding her to practise for my exams, jumping individual fences and courses. She has a new love!!!! She has gone from strength to strength and will now happily jump round a 10 fence course at 1m including water and fillers. GREAT! but now she is getting to cocky and i am having serious trouble stopping and slowing between and after fences, she has also begun to refuse because she is rushing and i cant stop it. She is being ridden in a cavesson noseband a copper plated loose ring plated snaffle and a running martingale. When i try and gain control, slowing or stopping she throws up her head high, this then engages the martingale to the max and i cant pull back, the more i sit deep and pull from my seat and back the higher her head goes. Today i jumped her round the course without the martingale and her shape and jump was much better... like the feeling of restriction was taking her confidence away, she has a naturally high head carridge and when she jumps she really uses her head so i think the martingale was knocking her confidence. So without it she went round much better but the head still comes up as soon as i increase the contact even if my leg stays on to push her from underneath!! Ok so im wondering if it could be the bit? She has seen an equine dentist in the last 3 months and teeth are fine......I was thinking of trying a two ringed dutch gag?
Any one have any suggestions......PLEASE HELP

Oh i forgot to add, during flat work and normal riding school classes this doesnt happen, ever!!
 
Hiya

My Horse gets quite cocky when he jumps. I use a Sprenger KK Universal (like a dutch gag) on him. I use roundings between the main and lower ring. It's a great bit as you have so many options, and can use a curb strap. Of course I also do lots of training especially gridwork but with him it's enthusiasm and I know he's clever enough to deal with his speed.

Actually, just thinking, it might be worth trying a sheepskin noseband cover on your cavesson. This is often used to help with high head carriage. My other though would be to try bitless.
 
Wouldn't use any sort of gag if she is already putting her head up, they have a raising action. Use a gentler bit that she is not afraid to take a contact with. Hate a martingale myself, as soon as it engages you've lost the straight line to your horse's mouth. I've had best results with copper alloy bits such as TM Salox and Aurigan but, of course, horses are infinite in their variety (or there wouldn't be so many bits on the market!). Did resort to a Dutch gag on one bolshie pony; he went best in the straight Happy Mouth version. Hope you find the 'key' for your mare.
 
Thanks for your advise so far........so many bits to try its like finding a needle in a haystack!! Was thinking of trying a sheepskin on the noseband.......
The Sprenger KK Universal is almost exactly the same as what i had in mind, i was thinking along this line as the gentle pivot action may help encourage a better head position?
 
The Neue Schule version of the KK one is a lot cheaper....my normal bit is a KK and use it daily but only use the Universal for jumping so Neue Schule it was! Good luck !
 
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