Which bit?

[i_lurf_smurf]

My horse came back into work yesterday, after a month off due to being very ill.
He's very unfit, and we're now going to work on building him up.

Eventually - once he's got back to 'proper' fitness, I really want to take him hunting (equineluver_4lyf said she'll take me :grin

But which bit shall i put him in? He's in a hanging cheek french link atm, but can get very strong when he wants to - especially when out with a group. I dont want to take him out in what he's in as i know i wont be able to have any control what so ever.

He doesnt like poll pressure - the hanging cheek is about as much as he can manage.

Any suggestions as to which bit i could try?

Also, how do you know if you'll have control in that bit? Fun/sponsered rides? Big hacks with lots of people?

 

[karenpi]

Not sure which would be the right bit if your horse doesn't like poll pressure, I've tried them all and am currently trying a sweet iron gag with rollers that someone recommended for stopping an elephant - used it today at Kingsclere on Berks & Bucks drag ride and was quite pleased. But I would say definitely try your bits on a sponsored ride. Then you will have horses going past etc.

 

[Baggybreeches]

To be honest the best thing would be to try him in a double bridle, if he responds well in the school then it will work fine. Having hunted lots of horses and ponies for their first time is it very important to get it right first time. If you under bit and get run away with it won't be fun!
Very few horses are 'too hot' to hunt it just depends on how they are introduced.
Good luck with the fittening work.

 

[Girlracer]

Well Nim is very strong and i took him in a pelham with a curb chain, lip strap and a grackle... still couldn't stop!

I ride Lantern in a snaffle but will be taking him in a pelham for our first outing and see how he is, if he's alright i'll put him in his usual bit!

 

[Baggybreeches]

Thats the beauty of a double bridle, the curb rein is much more effective, I find some horses can be a bit dead mouthed in pelhams, but to each their own hey!
My TB was very strong the first time I took him (probably didn't help that it was a boxing day meet!) but the more he has done the better he has got, yesterday we went out in our hacking bridle (NS universal without curb strap and no noseband) he was absolutely fine. Last year I would not have tried anything less than our double bridle.

 

[lauraanddolly]

As your horse only came back into work yesterday, I'd wait until he is fitter and you can then see whether you will need a change of bit, bits for fast work tend to be found by trial and error and atm your horse isn't fit enough to do fast work. It maybe a change of noseband is enough.