Wilkie Snaffle ? Will it work with my horse?

[embsidney20]

I have been advised by my instructor to buy a "Wilkie" bit, upon looking into this I have found that there are a few different types.
I am assuming she means the Wilkie Snaffle as I currently ride in a basic Snaffle and she is very much against severe bits and more for acheiving control with correct riding.
My horse is very well schooled and will show jump in the Snaffle absolutely fine, though as soon as we touch down on a XC course the brakes disappear, I am only looking for a bit that will help me with the brakes, I do not need help with getting an outline (which is what I have seen people saying a wilkie bit does) and I also dont want anything harsh as he has quite a soft mouth.

So is a Wilkie Snaffle my answer to a safer round at XC or not?
Cheers

 

[be positive]

I have an eventer in my yard he is similar to your horse goes everywhere in a snaffle but just gets a little too onward to be safe xc without something else in his mouth, he goes in a french link wilkie it is just enough to enable his rider to steady when required but not so strong it restricts the horse in any way. It is certainly worth trying and would be my suggestion as the first step above a simple snaffle.

 

[L&M]

The previous owner of my cob hunted him in a wilkie snaffle and held him fine in that, but I prefer to hunt him in a rubber pelham which he also goes nicely in.

I would also assume she means the snaffle version and in theory it should give you more brakes! The wilkie snaffle is not a hugely severe bit and popular in the showing world for childrens ponies that may try and 'take a hold'.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Wilkie snaffles will ruin your horse. Avoid at all costs. They are basically a gag that some clever so and so named 'snaffle'. I have had to reschool nunerous ponies that they have been used on. It fixes them in an outline and they soon resist the bit and dont go forwards into the bridle.