xc bit help needed

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wench

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been to xc with horse today. have done it a few times with him, and have the same problem every time, the I end up constantly pulling on the reins to keep him together, which I am sure is not good for him. If you dont he will simply gallop off with me.

He is currently in a french link snaffle, and has a relatively soft mouth, he needs something a little extra, but I am not sure what.
 
well i have a Dr Bristol on one of my TB's and it has worked wonders from day one, obviously all horses react differently to different bits and given the harshness of the bit it really has worked on my TB and is not harsh on her at all but still helps with control a flash had worked wonders to:)...hope i have helped:)
 
Interesting he is actually in a myler "bristol" snaffle... but its a french link, not a dr bristol
 
There's a big difference between a french link & a dr bristol, I'd be very wary of using a doc on a horse that you say has a relatively soft mouth & just needs a little extra. Overbitting could cause a whole load of new problems!

Things I'd try
- if you think Mylers suit him then speak to The Myler Bit Bank. They offer good advice after really listening to your problem & won't try to push a sale if they don't think a different bit is the answer.
- I'd try a hanging cheek or fulmer with loops, either should give a little poll pressure which may help.
- you don't say what type of noseband he's in but that's also an area I'd look at. Have you considered a flash or drop or grackle or kineton?
- finally I'd consider a couple of xc lessons with a good xc trainer because it may not be a bitting issue at all.
 
he is not very keen on poll pressure. He doesnt like hanging cheek snaffles or dutch gag bits.

He is in a normal cavesson atm.

He is getting better xc, but if he decided to get in a strop and gallop off in the wrong direction with me, i would have no chance of stopping
 
If he doesn't like poll pressure then I'd definately look at the noseband first, it's amazing how much difference it can make with a sensitive horse. I've never used a kineton but I always think the theory of them sounds great this sort of scenario.
 
yeah perahps look for a grackle or a firgure eight noseband! I see no harm in using a Dr Bristol, because it does apply mild to a little harsh tounge pressure and so will give you the brakes but wont be too harsh for school and producing..its really up to you, we cant say much unless he actually likes it, you dont know unless you try. Have you tryed bars? instead of links?
 
Helehorse a Dr Bristol is classed as a severe bit, it's designed for pullers because it's action on the tongue makes most horses back off. It may be ok for xc if the horse is strong in the mouth all the time but if he's normally light mouthed then it may be difficult to get any contact at all or he may becme very fretful in his mouth - neither are ideal coming into solid fences. As for schooling in one, well I definately wouldn't!

By the way I'm not against this bit, it has a place & for years I rode my old pony in one if we went out in large groups. He was an ex-driver who could really lean & pull but he was very respectful of this bit when nothing else worked. But no-one every accused him of having a light mouth!
 
nope, different horse ride differently to any bit as you should know. Dr Bristols can be harsh but only if they are not used correctly. My horse was a leaner but now she has come very soft and responsive in the mouth and i school her daily in it and i have been hunting, sj, hacking and schooling in it and it has done wonders. I thought it was going to be harsh for her as well but it really wasnt and i thought it would spoil her mouth but it has really softened her and she is very supple and mouths beautyfully. She'll still have the old lean and chew once in a while but nothing good schooling and riding cant take care of and a flash. The bit has really benefited us both.
never forget that it was just a recommendation, you could also try a 3 ringed gag or some sort of lozengure which is fairly mild but helps alot:)
let me know what he goes best in,
as for you Nari - I have a feeling you're a bit offencive towards me in your posts and it really is quite funny. I agree with you 100% on your first paragraff but im talking in general.
 
Helenhorse I'd openly disagree with anyone who had got their facts wrong & I fail to see how my post could be classed as offensive. I'd hate to think of someone using a severe bit without knowing just how severe it was & I felt your post wasn't making that at all clear to Wench or anyone else who might have looked at the thread because of similar problems.

I don't think I've replied to many of your posts so maybe you're just being a little paranoid?
 
Would prefer to try a waterford before a Dr Bristol. Dislike aything that causes a horse to drop off the pressure due to discomfort, a waterford just prevents them from leaning as it collapses
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Dr Bristols have their purpose, but can make a horse fussy with its tongue to avoid the pressure.

I would try with this horse a full cheek waterford to help with the steering and stop him grabbing and going!! Also, just a thought, but has he been tried with a "plastic" mouthpiece? Sometimes a softer mouthpiece can stop them leaning as everything is flexible and comfortable for them, and helps stop them wanting to get hold? Have used a NAthe bit with great success on my horse who can get a bit fixed
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the snaffle is already a full cheek snaffle. I have a full cheek waterford that I have been intending to try him in, so sounds like its worth a trry thanks

I havent tried him in anything plastic either
 
nope ,not at all again, it doesnt matter how much you've posted to me, the ones you HAVE posted are some what patranising. I gave my advide which was to say that one of my horses has responded well to Dr Bristol and so therefore i recommended it ,note that she has still got a light, soft responisve mouth.
 
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