Which bit for a cob

[Cobwanted]

My boy is in a full cheek eggbutt snaffle - which is fine 90% of the time. We have problems when we ride in company, especially when cantering when he puts his head down and takes off like a train!!! Anyone got any suggestions for a bit to keep his head up and give me some brakes?

 

[mrogers]

i would try him in a waterford dutch gag. the mutiple links will stop him leaning and the dutch gag is an uplifting bit anywa

 

[AngieandBen]

My old cob used to do that, I put him in a three ring gag, french link one and he was brilliant in it, hardly needed it for brakes and it stopped him putting his neck down.

 

[Cobwanted]

My old cob used to do that, I put him in a three ring gag, french link one and he was brilliant in it, hardly needed it for brakes and it stopped him putting his neck down.

Which ring did you need to use for the reins?

 

[Cobwanted]

i would try him in a waterford dutch gag. the mutiple links will stop him leaning and the dutch gag is an uplifting bit anywa

I was just looking at the waterford in the Shires catalogue!

 

[Django Pony]

I umm'd and aaa'd over a waterford for ages as I've always been told they are a very harsh bit, but was persuaded to try one on Jasper and he loves it! He doesn't lean at all in it, and it suits his fleshy cobby mouth. I got the Neue Schule one http://www.nsbits.com/index.php/waterford.html which they do in a gag version too.
Good luck!

 

[EAST KENT]

Always loved a Kimblewick,it stops a horse leaning on you,how severe it is depends on the tightness of the curb chain,hacking around it was very loose ,so the bit was basically a straight bar snafle with a port. For hunting ,tightened up ,it is quite severe, and light hands are a must.

 

[dreamcometrue]

I agree with EAST KENT ^^. My Haflinger does exactly the same as your cob, head down, off like a train. A Kimblewick, especially the type with a ported mouthpiece and slots (Uxeter) or a Pelham (with 2 reins if you can handle that well) will lift the head and you need to keep your hands higher than the current trend of having your hands on the horse's neck.

 

[parker123]

a kimblewick or a pelham is designed to lower the head. if you want lift but only when you need it try a cheltenham gag with 2 reins, or a dutch gag but with one rein on snaffle and another rein on another ring. that way you can say Hay.. listen and shock him. no point going stonger altogeater or he will just find ways around it or get worried about the crrent bitting arrangement.

 

[dreamcometrue]

a kimblewick or a pelham is designed to lower the head. if you want lift but only when you need it try a cheltenham gag with 2 reins, or a dutch gag but with one rein on snaffle and another rein on another ring. that way you can say Hay.. listen and shock him. no point going stonger altogeater or he will just find ways around it or get worried about the crrent bitting arrangement.

It doesn't allow the horse to lower its head to its knees which is what they do when they tank off.

 

[JoBird]

Kimblewick gets my vote!