Which bit is best?

[pagancluf]

Any advice would be appreciated as my horse is starting to get very strong, putting his head down and bucking when trying to pull him up in canter on a hack. I ride him in a loose ring single joint snaffle but feel I want a little more "breaking power", so is there a bit that will stop him without encouraging him to put his head down?

 

[Coffee_Bean]

You could try a dutch gag or cheltenham gag, as they encourage the horse to raise the head, but the poll pressure gives you more brakes.

 

[hunteress]

Yes I would echo christmas_bean I now have a waterford continental and that works a treat gets the head up get a size 1/2 inch bigger in the waterford though.

 

[spotty_pony]

I would say a Dutch Gag as it has three rings so you have thee options of making it stronger and when your horse is in a calmer mood again (maybe in the summer) you can change the reins back onto the top ring (the snaffle ring)

Hope this helps!

x

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

highly recommend a tom thumb lozenge, is more gentle than cheltenham etc, can be used with 2 reins and raises the head without causing fright reaction

 

[horsegirl]

[ QUOTE ]
highly recommend a tom thumb lozenge, is more gentle than cheltenham etc, can be used with 2 reins and raises the head without causing fright reaction

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you fit the tom thumb like the gag? Cheeck pieces on the top ring and reins or roundings on the mouthpiece and the bottom ring?

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

yeah, the top ring is closer to the main bit ring, which attaches to bridle, yo can then either use on snaffle setting as a baucher or use on lower ring as a head raising increased breaks, you can wither use double reins on snaffle and lower ring or use roundings, i personally prefer double reins as a ermonder from the lower ring was personally enough for us

 

[lucylemon]

[ QUOTE ]
highly recommend a tom thumb lozenge, is more gentle than cheltenham etc, can be used with 2 reins and raises the head without causing fright reaction

[/ QUOTE ]

echo that, my project that i had 18 months ago used to pull her head down and out often resulting in me losing the reins, so we started riding her in a tom thumb and it lifted her head and she became more soft and supple though her neck

 

[pagancluf]

This sounds like the one I need, he is a pig in a gag as just sticks his head down and bronks if really excited, so I will have to have a go with this - thanks everyone for comments - really appreciate.