which bit should i use- no brakes

samuelhorse

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Any advice would be gratefully received.........
My 14.2 connemara gelding is a nightmare to stop.
He gets all excited and yanks he reins out of my hands pulling down then twisting his head round down round his knees. Currently in a twisted snaffle.
Need to feel as if i have some control - as i am scared he is going to p**s off.
 
I would try and think with an open mind here. I have had horses who just have no mouths and no matter what you put in them they will always be the same. But I have also had horses that do this because they are sensitive in the mouth and hate a harsh bit. My current horse is an out and out nut job and I ride her in a flexi rubber snaffle. She is going much better in that than she was in the gags and waterfords I had been trying on her.

Some horses like curb chains, some like ported mouths, some french links, so no one can really advise you which bit would be best as they are all so different.

Connemara's have quite fleshy tongues and not a lot of room in their mouths, so maybe a french link or a rongue relief but could do the trick. Get in touch with an expert at a bit bank, that way you can try a bit before you buy it x
 
What a worry, twisted snaffles are quite severe. What about trying another route ie, bitless bridle or hackamore? Sometimes using stronger and stronger bits lead to a vicious circle where there is little place to go once you get to a certain point.
 
I had the same problem with my horse, he has a hard mouth and a long tongue, so normal bits caused him to throw his head down as it made him gag.
Now he's brilliant, i ride him in a low port correctional myler snaffle, he is very responsive and i can get him to bend and flex easily. Echo melliebobs reply in trying before you buy, as they are expensive.
 
When does he do it? Schooing, XC, when?

I like a kimblewick (the slotted cheek ones are most effective IME) for that sort of horse, worked wonders on my welshy who used to tuck his head between his knees and p*** off out hunting. However a strong bit isn't an excuse for not schooling - you do need to make sure the basics are there and that's he's obedient to the basic aids...ie go, stop, turn....
 
i would try a french link, my pony was getting bad for bolting and snatching the reins from the rider, turns out he has quite a small mouth so the french link left room for his tongue without the bit hurting the roof of his mouth, i think he was running away from pain rather than being naughtty!
 
Firstly, as has been suggested, I would try a loose ring lozenge or french link. I would always trial a milder bit first.
If that fails then either a correctional ported myler or a cheltenham gag with 2 reins.
 
I hate to state the obvious, or sound patronizing, but I am a firm believer in trying not to resort to stronger and stronger bits, it very rarely works as they just get used to them in the end and end up with a mouth like steel. It all boils down to lack of discipline really! Perhaps not by you, it may be that he/she has never been schooled properly. I would suggest schooling (under tuition), long-reining and lungeing, as you would with a young horse, to teach them to accept the contact and aids and also to respect you from the ground, there is always a better chance he/she will then respect you more as a rider. It may take longer, but will be the most effective solution!
 
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