Which Bit?

[BID]

Well my boy had his first run of the season at Tweseldown at the weekend and we need to change his bit. He is currently ridden in a french link snaffle for all three phases but he is getting strong xc. He is putting his head down and overbending and bounding on with his shoulders, so I need some bit recommendations to give us some extra brakes and something to encourage him to lift his head please guys, thanks.

 

[flyingfeet]

Double jointed true running gag (cheltenham = eggbutt, loose ring, or nelson = full cheek)

You could also use a rounding between the snaffle ring and gag rein if you want to limit the gag action

 

[BID]

Hi thanks for this, he tends to really overbend (i.e: nose on chest) and powers on with his shoulders rather than put his head down and out so would this help with this, everything i have found on this bit on the net seems to be recommended for horses that stick theirs heads down and out.

 

[soulfull]

probably easier to borrow a 3 ring gag first than source a cheltenham and a 3 ring would lift his head and get him off his shoulders (hopefully)
Alternatively an american gag, while it looks harsh, I used one with my lad that used to tank and over bend I found that I only used a finger tip pressure and it really got him back and sitting on his haunches too. I only had to use it a couple of times for SJ and he realized what I wanted. I wouldn't use this unless your hands are really really stable xc tho, stick to the 3 ring

Hope that makes sense but just rushing out the door lol

 

[Kenzo]

NS Universal paired up with the curb strap? I was recomened this bit for my one of mine, he's in a FL full cheek but can (not all the time) get a bit too strong for comfort with jumping or faster work in company, tends to stick his head down and try to plough on, I was told this bit would be good step up from his FL just to use when jumping as its its not as harsh as some gags and helps to lift them and get them up a bit more in front when jumping.

However I have not yet tried it as yet so I can't speak personally but the info below about the bit taken from a website (in case this helps) my give you more info to help you decide if its something worth trying.

''The Universal is one of my personal favourites. The gag action is not excessive and even strong horses generally appreciate this and respond as opposed to fighting it. The Universal offers four options. The cheeks are attached to the small upper rein and the first option is to have the reins on the main bit ring, the second option is to drop down to the second ring in order to obtain more gag action, the third option is to use pelham roundings between the main and the bottom ring if this happy medium is required, the fourth option is to employ a curb strap in the small top ring to help with control and outline. This is an old showjumping trick, which is still extensively used. A Curb does not have to lay in the chin groove in order to work - if you think about many western bits the curb strap is often employed further up.''

 

[monkeymad]

I had the same problem at twesledown!! I run xc in the universal gag, but I am going to try the waterford universal. My horse tends to get longer and stronger but she is actually very fussy in her mouth and won't tolerate a three ring gag and I personally can't use the curb strap that comes with the universal.