XC Bits?

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RoyalSNova

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I have a big 16.3HH ISH gelding, who I currently ride in a pelham for cross country - usually I'm okay in it, as he is much more responsive than when he is in a snaffle... but as we went eventing recently, I found out I actually had no control if I didn't stop between jumps. I think we ended up with a total of five run outs (He runs out when he goes too fast.) and I was just happy it was an unaffiliated event.
However, on the way back, I still felt like I had no control, and although I have been told constantly since then that it was not my fault and I need to be more positive, I was just wondering if there is a bit stronger than a pelham. My horse has a habit of either ducking his head and charging flat out, or tossing his head about and rearing (as he did in the dressage phase.)
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
I ride the family's 17.1hh ISH and Im 20. I ride him in a cheltenham gag for jumping as he likes leaning. For XC I put roundings on it as he ducked out of a ditch once as the bit just rode up his mouth, and didnt pull his head to the side when I tried to stop him veering off. He pulls a bit in it, but I know I can stop if needed and I have better steering.

If your horse is really strong could you could maybe try double reins, so you have the steeering of the snaffle, but the breaks of a gag?

Best of luck,
xxx
 
What about a double bridle?!

So you have the snaffle, and then the curb there when you need a bit more :)

I show so obviously use double alot in general, but I really think they are under rated in other disciplines especially for strong horses as you can just ride off the snaffle until you need more!!! horses really respect them and I find generally go nicely in them!!!! You can also use your standard snaffle with a weymouth of your choice depending on severity and mouth piece (ported) plus different curbs ect :)

I would choose a double over a gag any day for a strong horse

xxx
 
umm, you say 'pelham' as if it's one bit. depending on the mouthpiece, it can have hugely different results... from straight bar bendy rubber to full on Hannoverian mouthpiece, with loads of other styles in between (jointed etc). which mouthpiece are you using, and is it with roundings or double reins?
tbh though if he ducks his head then imho a pelham isn't really the answer, the curb action brings the head in and down...
if he throws his head about and rears, he might be overbitted anyway, or did he just do that in the dressage in a snaffle? if so, i'd get his teeth checked, definitely.
it's pretty impossible to advise just from what you've said. i hate to say it but schooling is the answer - if the horse isn't accepting your input and is fighting, not listening, then it doesn't much matter what he's got in his mouth. so, book some lessons with a good experienced instructor and see what they think of the whole picture.
as to the people saying 'it's not your fault and you need to be more positive' - hmm, only you know what it felt like, and if it felt horribly out of control enough that you felt you had to pull up between fences to regain control, then you were absolutely right in doing so, and those well-meaning 'experts' are wrong! xc is all about communication and control, not being hooleyed with into fixed fences... ;) ;)
 
I've been doing xc with my share ish in a waterford gag - have it on the second ring down generally, and then can put it down to the bottom ring if needs be - which actually made a big different when I did Halton sponsored ride where extra control was needed!
However, as has been said, don't underestimate the power of schooling! I've had loads of lessons recently in the arena and that's made such a big difference - now I'm jumping in there in a snaffle (not saying I'm going to go do xc in a snaffle as I think I'd die of fright myself!) which is something I never thought I'd do - definitely changed my opinion on the relative effects of bits and good practice.
Good luck - I know exactly how you feel about being taken towards jumps at speeds you'd rather not be going at!
 
I school my horse frequently - it's quite rarely I go hacking for anything other than warming up, and I go to a lot of different XC courses. He is perfect at home, really soft on the contact, and works gorgeously, and previously I've had comments on his movement. It's just a pain that at events I can't seem to get the same.
kerilli, I was in a jointed pelham with roundings. I frequently have clinics on him, and I keep him at a livery yard with an ex-olympic rider to help me school him. He has had his teeth checked recently, but the thing is he is a sweetie at home, its just at shows I feel like I relinquish all control.
I'm still a bit dubious about trying double bridles, but I'll give it a shot ;)
 
I was using a lozenge pelham, which I found was too sharp - as in, when I took a half halt, it had too much effect, and we had a battle into fences.

I now use a lozenged Cheltenham gag, with a drop nose band and although I find it gives me less brakes out hacking, it gives me a far better feel going XC - we don't have a fight, I just get the response I want.

I use both with double reins.
 
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