Yet another bitting question!

[madginger]

I watched someone else ride my horse for the first time yesterday and was horrified to see the action of her current bit!

She is in a jointed happy mouth loose ring snaffle and got a bit too excited yesterday and played up a bit.

When a lot of pressure was applied due to lack of breaks her head flew up into the air and mouth opened very wide, she looked very uncomfortable and I felt really bad

So I read through some previous posts and maybe the nutcracker action is too much for her when I need some brakes and I am considering a roller bit or double jointed with maybe hanging cheeks as she does have a high head carriage and a tendency to throw her head in the air.

I'd like to keep her in a happy mouth but have read that their double jointed ones can rub, she works well in an outline so I dont want anything too harsh - help and suggestions needed.

 

[pixiebee]

sorry im confused, you say she has a high head carriage and a tendancy to throw her head in the air yet she works well in an outline??????

have you had her teeth checked? one of the most common side effects of sharp teeth is to open their mouths when pressure is applied. A roller bit works well if the horse has a tendancy to lean on or grab the bit so dont htink it will help in your case. I personally would try a double jointed mouthpiece (maybe a dr bristol if brakes are also an issue? )

 

[madginger]

She works in an outline when asked, but if you ask her to do something she does not want to then the head comes up, yesterday she was not being asked to work in an outline we just asked her to slow down from a fast canter.

She is having her teeth checked next week so it will be interesting to see if this makes a difference.

 

[alicep]

I thought a Dr bristol was only to be used when a vet or someone qualified diagnoses bolting??? ive always been told its a horrible bit. i think you need to speak to someone really experienced and as Rachel said have her teeth, back and tack checked