(Yet another) Bit question

Trish C

Trish C

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First of all, apologies for yet another bitting question, but I have been reading through previous threads and have found them very helpful, so would really appreciate your advice.

Monty is currently in an eggbutt snaffle. He is quite soft in it and works nicely (when he wants to) though I do think there could be a better option for him - he doesn't play with the bit a huge amount and, although he doesn't object to it, I do think there's something not quite 'there' with it - hard to explain without yous all coming to ride him :D Also he is huge and strong (and a knobber) and when he wants to he just runs straight through it, far too easily. :rolleyes: I've also tried him in an eggbutt with a lozenge in which he was fine in when he was being nice, but was a complete and utter wollox in when he was being knobberish... worse than the standard snaffle. He was in a bitless when I got him and was a rare cross between a hippo and a giraffe without a single notion of a halt.

I'd like to try something else to see if we can find something that keeps him happy, getting him playing with it a bit more, but gives me the control when I need it. Obviously no bit is magic and going to solve all the problems and give me complete control - with his size if he really wants to go I'm sure he will, but I'm looking for something to just give me a little more of an advantage than his current eggbutt. (Yes I know I have seat, legs and voice, but I'd quite like to have the influence of a suitable bit there as a backup ;))

Having read LOADS on HHO & other sites, I'm considering something fullcheek (as the old steering can go a bit amiss when he's trying it on), and loose ring. Straight bar? One of the fancy pants shaped bits? It has to be dressage legal as I'm hoping to get competing this winter. I'm going to swap his noseband to a drop as well.

Very special treat of my home-made scones with jam made by my YO for all helpful replies! :)
 
The horse bit bank (its on google :)) is very good!
If you read it, you buy a bit, if it doesn't work and you change it within 30 days they charge you £5 for use of the bit and will send you another one if memory serves me right.
I ordered one and it was here the next day - fabulous service :)
 
Thanks a million Damnation - I'll check that out. I'm in Ireland so not sure if they cover here but will definitely read all of the articles! :)

Forgot to add for anyone else who can help - he had his teeth done a couple of months ago and his back done just a few weeks ago, saddle was fitted and am going down to saddle fitter again on Thurs so will get her to double-check. So don't think any of those are contributing to his knobberness!
 
Head up and often slightly to a side (not always the same side - depends which way we're going... or not going, as the case usually is when he tries it :rolleyes:) and jaw open. Have him in a flash at the mo, but not tight (hence planned change to drop).

I had a friend ride him today - she's an excellent rider and whilst she got him going very nicely for most of the work, he did it once with her as well (he wanted to go over some poles, she didn't) so it's not just me being a cr@p rider!

Just had a text to say dentist is at the yard tomo so will get him to have a quick poke and make sure nothing's wrong there, though as I said he was done recently enough :)
 
I'd forget about dressage legal atm and find something that you can school in at home.
I have successfully used a PeeWee bit with big horses who 'don't understand' steering and who set their necks and charge off.
I have also lent it to other people who have been having similar problems. One friend in particular borrowed it to school her eventer, who liked to be in charge when jumping, either sj or xc. Once he'd got the idea, she went back to her normal bit. Otherwise what about something with 2 reins, so that you have back-up when necessary?
 
Thanks a million Pearlsasinger, I'll look into that. :)

It's not that he doesn't understand steering - most of the time he will move from my seat/leg (even seemingly my thoughts sometimes!) but he chooses to ignore all of them when he wants to. Same with the halt - which previously was non-existant - he will halt from my seat sometimes, from my seat and voice others, from 'everything' a few, and occasionally, just decide he doesn't want to halt :rolleyes: I know changing the bit won't change this and it's a schooling thing, but I'd like something a bit more effective to help me out when he does decide to have a 'moment'! The PeeWee bit seems as though it wouldn't be too drastic a change - so when I were to switch to something dressage legal, it wouldn't be too radical a swap :)

Has anyone else got experience of the PeeWee bit?
 
Well I put 'don't understand' in quotes because I think it's more 'don't want to know about'. The side pieces of a PeeWee insist that they turn. I find them very gentle bits unless the horse ignores the aids and then they can be very effective without the rider needing to be heavy handed
I first got one for a Clydie mare who had just lifted her head, set her neck and charged off with me. She never did it again.
Then I used it for an ID who liked to turn away from scary things on a hack. I had much more control in the PW.
There are threads on here, with mixed reviews - those of us who like them seem to really like and those who don't - DON'T.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
There are threads on here, with mixed reviews - those of us who like them seem to really like and those who don't - DON'T.
Click to expand...

Sure isn't that the way with everything :D

Thanks so much for that info, sounds like it could be the job as the 'symptoms' you describe with both horses are my fella dead on. Will definitely look into it :)
 
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