XC Bitting Suggestions (again...)

little_pink_piggies

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Right... Well at solihull we decided to stay vertical this time! but we did have bitting issues...

Have had a bit of a breakthrough with neurologically challenged pony, is actually starting to understand the concept of working through into a contact... did a 29 dressage today despite me halting in the wrong place and a perfect flying change in medium canter
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(would have been 27 without these errors!) but still, it gives me a glimmer of light at the end of the very long tunnel that involved getting up at 5am in the winter to lunge him, and constantly having poles down one side of the arena to try and improve our coordination! His test at Solihull last year was 47? So the right direction, almost 20 pens
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!

SJ was fine despite Arth thinking that eventing was about showjumping outdoors not indoors, so he did a few jumps that demonstrated his neurological issues... but was v pleased with him.

A year ago this horse would only go in the bendiest of loose ring rubber snaffle and when you took a contact he would just disappear so we're over the moon with the fact we can now use a martingale (which was needed) and he's accepting a contact in a happy mouth fulmer snaffle.

Set off XC today and he was brill in this at Berrington until our little horizontal time... but I set off and thought that he was going to be difficult in his mouth... and I was right! First three fences v straightforward and small so just didnt set up up particularly kept him rolling and he was fab
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Then the fourth fence was downhill, back uphill and while going uphill step up one stride (walked 6) to a brush... And we got to the bottom of the hill (which neurologically challenged horse cantered down like a pro!) and then at the bottom he spotted the step up and i went to try and keep the canter contained at the right sort of energy level (strong sj) for the fence but he tossed his head up at me
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so decided it was best to sit quiet while he bombed up the slope and bounced the step/brush but made it feel like it was supposed to be bounced... Jumped the next few straightforward fences fine, before doing an arthur launch - like this (same event last year)

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except this time we had a bounce step up/rolltop out and Arth leaped out and was practically ontop of the rolltop- cue 20 pens
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. So took the long route and that was fine... And he was alright the rest of the way around, but i could only adjust speed and not length of stride, and he was a bit snatchy with his head in the fulmer... But I was pleased as after last time I was more concerned with staying vertical throughout! So I got masses of time faults spending all my time bringing him right back before the fences then letting him roll forward again...

I really don't want to give up on this horse as although he isn't easy, we're starting to get somewhere not and hes so scopey, its just that we seem to suddenly in the last 10 days have found ourself with a bit more power than usual and he doesn't know how to control this yet or let me help him to if that makes sense? He's not a nasty horse or a psycho one, he just enjoys his job, a bit too much sometimes!

I can't put anything metal or vulcenite (sp) in his mouth so I was thinking along the lines of a nathe running gag? Also any schooling exercies to help gain a bit more control of this new found power?
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*big pat of the back for Martha* !!
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Really well done! What a fab dressage
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and fab SJing and well done for managing to hold him together on the XC - sounds like it wasnt an easy job
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Cant help you bitting wise, but a nathe running gag sounds a sensible option - dont know whether there is such a thing though? Good luck in finding a way of harnessing his new found power
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Is his head up when he comes into the fences? If so, you need something to tuck his nose in. A gag won't do this I don't think.

How about a rubber/happy mouth pelham?

I had much the same issue with B last season when he ran through my hands and two strides away from the rope launched over from in the water, so it can be fixed!
 
Well done sounds like a good day!!!

I have a nathe running gag that both my horses run in and love as they still take a hold but I have full control and it is so light. The only horrid thing about it that it came with string side cheeks, I got our local saddler to put leather ones in. Definitely worth the money, horses love it.
 
running gags will work on poll pressure so if gg chucks head in air and pees off, will defo help with this.

I like running gags (mine cheltenham gag) as soon as you soften contact they work like snaffle. Have you try riding in double reins?? one on snaffle part and one on gag bit??
 
A nathe butterfly flip, a really really really soft bit but a bit more direct- like a hanging snaffle, 3 different adjustments to chose from. Such a versitile bit. On of my horses sounds similar to yours and goes v well in it.
 
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A nathe butterfly flip, a really really really soft bit but a bit more direct- like a hanging snaffle, 3 different adjustments to chose from.

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I like this too and have used it on one v strong horse but did have trouble steering - anyone else found this? Anyway, not in use at present as horse out for season so you are welcome to borrow it if you want as they are expensive to buy. Don't think you are that far from me?
 
Im a big fan of the Cheltenham running gag with double reins- bit of a hand full to start with but with my old eventer it was the only thing I could hold him in out hunting - strangely he was a snaffle for everything else - but when hounds really run bitting goes out the window!!!
I like the fact that you can turn on a 6pence without the risk of flipping them over (like a bubble bit! yuk) after all polo ponies wouldnt wear them otherwise! - and when they are backing off your leg abit (such as at a scary fence) there is only a snaffle so no excuse untill you need to use the brakes bit!!
So glad that you are both fine and up and running after your roll in the Herefordshire mud!
 
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