Which Bit?

[wendy42]

Hi Has anyone any suggestions for a bit for our horse please? He is 16 yrs old IDxTB, schooled and road hacked in a french link snaffle with no problems. Field hacks/jumped/XC/hunts in a 3 ring gag (middle ring, not bottom). Problem is that when he is somewhere he doesn't know he is really well behaved and listens but when on one of his regular hacks where he can canter/gallop (we don't always go fast at the same spots) he just charges off not listening! Any ideas please? He's well schooled so does know what's expected of him just taking advantage.

 

[CracklinRosie]

I use a Happy Mouth roller centre Dutch Gag, my mare used to be ridden in a snaffle for road work and flat work but needed a french link for jumping, not that it really slowed her down!!!

She loves the Happy Mouth and playing with the roller often takes her mind off tanking off! Plus it's not got the scissor action of the normal snaffle, similar to a French Link.

 

[angiebaby]

Sorry am I thick?! when people are talking about bits, is the french link, happy mouth roller, single jointed etc the mouth pieces ? I thought a snaffle was just the large ring where the reins are attatched, and a gag/pelham etc is where there is leverage action?? thanks very confuzzled!

 

[CracklinRosie]

There are loads of different types of snaffle so no that doesn't relate to the "large ring" The "large rings" all have different names too! Just to confuse you even more.

Why not look at www.shop4bits.com and then you'll be really confused.

 

[Ellies_mum2]

Just had a look at that website and nearly fell off me chair at the amount of different bits

Did find out that Ellie's bit is a happy mouth lol

 

[CracklinRosie]

Happy Mouths are ace.

My stroppy old bugger won't go back to a "metal" bit now she's had a Happy Mouth.