which bit do you use for hacking?

[mightymammoth]

Hi,

Just wondering really as am going to change mine currently using a dutch gag with just a normal joint but am going to change to a french link hanging cheek.

My horse snatches his head forward sometimes and I'm wondering if the nutcracker action is annoying him.

His teeth are done every 6 months at present.

Thanks

 

[Misog2000]

I use a 3 ring gag on the 2nd ring, with a French link mouthpiece. School in a French Link hanging cheek so I figure it feels the same in her mouth, unless she is naughty when it gets stronger if that makes sense.

 

[mightymammoth]

I use a 3 ring gag on the 2nd ring, with a French link mouthpiece. School in a French Link hanging cheek so I figure it feels the same in her mouth, unless she is naughty when it gets stronger if that makes sense.

thanks for this I can't wait to try the french link

 

[Chestnut mare]

Hanging cheek french link snaffle at all times. If we are going to do something exciting (sponsored ride, canter with more than one other etc) I add a running martingale as she can put her head up in the air leaving me no control

 

[mightymammoth]

Hanging cheek french link snaffle at all times. If we are going to do something exciting (sponsored ride, canter with more than one other etc) I add a running martingale as she can put her head up in the air leaving me no control

thanks seems the hanging cheek are quite popular? Mine also always wears a running martingale

 

[Tinsel Town]

Loose ring a snaffle, I'm lucky I never change it for anything. His old owner even hunted him in it!

 

[mightymammoth]

Loose ring a snaffle, I'm lucky I never change it for anything. His old owner even hunted him in it!

that's impressive

 

[Munchkin]

I never use single-jointed bits of any kind - hate them - particularly now that it's the norm to strap the horse's mouth shut so that they just have to put up with the bit cracking them in the roof of the mouth when they attempt to work correctly.

Mine are both in French link snaffles, but I don't dislike Waterfords on stronger horses as long as the rider's hands are still enough.

It'll be interesting to see if your horse responds differently in the French link.

 

[mightymammoth]

I never use single-jointed bits of any kind - hate them - particularly now that it's the norm to strap the horse's mouth shut so that they just have to put up with the bit cracking them in the roof of the mouth when they attempt to work correctly.

Mine are both in French link snaffles, but I don't dislike Waterfords on stronger horses as long as the rider's hands are still enough.

It'll be interesting to see if your horse responds differently in the French link.

yes thanks I'm hoping he will be more comfortable

 

[Tinsel Town]

Yeah I'm pretty lucky with him
My old horse however was in a Pelham always!

 

[metalmare]

Mine came in a jointed wilkie, went into a hanging cheek waterford (which was necessary at the time) and has since chilled so much that he is now in a french link loose ring.

I do love the waterford... if you do have to take a hold against a pony that's tanking off with you, at least you know it isn't jabbing th roof of his mouth and he isn't holding it between his teeth!!

 

[mightymammoth]

Mine came in a jointed wilkie, went into a hanging cheek waterford (which was necessary at the time) and has since chilled so much that he is now in a french link loose ring.

I do love the waterford... if you do have to take a hold against a pony that's tanking off with you, at least you know it isn't jabbing th roof of his mouth and he isn't holding it between his teeth!!

thanks may look into waterford if this new hanging cheek doesn't work out

 

[tankgirl1]

We've got him in a french link snaffle - he was in a single jointed snaffle when we got him, but he's such a plod that we figured he'd be more comfortable in a french link, and he does seem to go better in it. Would consider changing back to single link, and/or adding a running martingale if we ever get round to taking him hunting!

 

[Ibblebibble]

french link loose ring on the big girl and a loose ring sweet iron with copper lozenge for the ginger boy and daughters pony. only one with a single jointed bit is the young pony and i really don't think it's the right bit for him so will be going for a sweet iron+lozenge for him too

 

[caramel]

Mine hacks in a hanging cheek Waterford, as recommended by my instructor and his dentist works a treat.

 

[WetandMuddy]

I hack in a waterford loose ring snaffle.

My horse bucks and this really helps me keep his head up because he can't lean on it. He goes beautifully in it - much better than any other mouthpiece.

 

[Spotsrock]

My tb lad is in soft rubber straight snaffle for everything. Girl cob is in French link snaffle for everything but jumping and real fast work she had double bridle with French link and hackamore - strong and excitable!

 

[zaminda]

Hanging cheek waterford or ring bit on one, hackamore on the other. I sometimes use a sweet iron tomb thumb gag with copper inlays and rollers if its likely to be really exciting, generally only xc.

 

[Shutterbug]

Hanging cheek with a lozenge - my boy hates the nutracker action of a snaffle, he must prefers the lozenge

 

[Spyda]

I hack my 5 year old WBxTB in a NS Verbindend, loose canvasson noseband and running martingale. So far we've not needed anything stronger. Not even in company. So far....

 

[mynutmeg]

I've recently gone from a mullen mouth snaffle with flash to a mullen mouth pelham on double reins, without flash obviously - mainly from a schooling point of view rather than hacking but am definately liking having the extra curb there for canter work - as much for my confidence as actually making a difference to 'brakes' as she's pretty responsive. My main reason for changing was to try and help her with her balance and rushing - a friend suggested trying her in the pelham and it's made such a difference I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't ridden it

 

[ebonyallen]

Eggbutt snaffle wide mouth. Never have to change

 

[monkeybum13]

Loose ring for everything apart from 'main season' hunting. Loose ring is fine for autumn hunting but not enough for fast and furious hunting!

 

[McW]

Snaffle for everything currently

 

[Ravenwood]

One in a loose ring, french link snaffle (hunting aswell) and one in an eggbutt single jointed snaffle.
Can't abide Dutch gags personally.

 

[Enfys]

This is what my mare is happy with

 

[Kat]

Loose ring French link snaffle for everything including hunting. The only other bits I've used with her have been an eggbut lozenge link and a loose ring demi anky. She doesn't need anything strong.

 

[Littlelegs]

Single link eggbutt, nobodys told her she should prefer a double jointed bit. When younger used to wear a gag with two reins to jump, so would sometimes hack in that. And as I did most schooling on hacks, would sometimes hack in a double. Daughters is in a French link eggbutt for everything.

 

[Slightlyconfused]

Lami pony is in a loose ring snaffle, he is so good I don't need to change.
Racehorse is in the same, doesn't need to change at all.

Old mare is in a three in gag, French link, on the second ring and if she is one of 'those' moods Pelham with two reins. That's out handbrake bit !

We all went for a trot the other day, it was racehorses first group trot, he was fine and well behaved just stayed at the pace my sister set him......old mare? Noooo far to exciting to behave have to try and bronc on the spot and shoot off up the hill. Luckily my brother is good at holding her!

 

[JulesRules]

Sweet iron loose ring with copper lozenge for schooling and a hanging cheek Waterford for hacking and jumping as she does like to grab the bit sometimes.