Young horse sometimes strong - What bit do i go for, or what can i do about it?

[jt4]

Looking for a bit for my mare but not sure what i'm looking for.

She has just turned 6, so still fairly young. We don't think she was properly bitted as a baby.

The majority of the time she's fine schooling but she has moments in trot and canter, she gets strong if she doesn't like how much contact you have (if you try to hold her back or take up more contact she won't listen and won't stop, i usually have to turn her into a tight circle when this happens), It worsens when jumping.

I have learnt what she likes and doesn't when schooling but it is getting hard to hold her back if she decides she wants to speed up during jumping lessons she gets excited and full of herself, i'm not sure what she does when she gets strong (holds onto the bit? etc) but you just don't feel like you have much control and the ability to stop her without turning her into a small circle.

She is currently in a full cheek with french link, have tried her in a eggbutt snaffle but still no different. Have also tried using a flash with both bits and hasn't helped.

So please can you recommend me with bits that could help - even better if you have had experience with a horse like mine!

 

[mcnaughty]

Loads of flatwork to get her listening to you for starters!

How tight is the flash - not being funny here at all but a lot of people just put a flash on for the looks! It has a job and should be TIGHT to prevent opening/crossing of the jaw - if this is what your horse does? A flash with a crank noseband is best. Try a grackle noseband too and again - TIGHT!

Bit wise - try a loose ring snaffle or a waterford. Personnally I prefer a french link or loz of some kind to a nut cracker style. Sweet iron would help too.

 

[jt4]

Loads of flatwork to get her listening to you for starters!

How tight is the flash - not being funny here at all but a lot of people just put a flash on for the looks! It has a job and should be TIGHT to prevent opening/crossing of the jaw - if this is what your horse does? A flash with a crank noseband is best. Try a grackle noseband too and again - TIGHT!

Bit wise - try a loose ring snaffle or a waterford. Personnally I prefer a french link or loz of some kind to a nut cracker style. Sweet iron would help too.

She listens to pretty much every aid but contact through the bit unfortunately, that's why i've started to look into trying different bits.

The flash was tight, i'm not soft when it comes to flashes Not sure on whether she crosses her jaw or holds onto the bit etc, will have to get my instructor to look into that tomorrow. Will have to try get hold of a grackle to try that.

Will definitely have sweet iron to help her mouth on the bit, thankyou!

 

[Nightmare before Christmas]

I normally use a trans universal in young horses that try and be a bit strong. I like them to be soft and dont like bitting up unless needed!

I tried a 6 year old once in a butterly bit with a chain curb and a leather curb and it was so strong I still couldnt hold it together!

 

[Goldenstar]

I have learnt what she likes and doesn't when schooling

Think of this sentance carefully , who exactly is training who here ?
I would use the lunge and work on getting excellent obedience to voice aids .
You then need to use the voice aids to back up your other aids , and masses of basic transitions you must get good basic reactions in place .
I would use a neck strap (stirrup leather ideal ) to help with the stopping pull hard on it and use your voice aids .
Bit wise I would try a loose ring kk ultra with a thin mouthpiece or a loose ring neue schule with a lozenge again with the thin mouth piece.
Or try the simple loose ring myler snaffle .
If I have a decent safe wall to deploy I just run not stopping youngsters into the wall that usually makes them think twice about running through an aid.
Remember most of the stopping aid should be coming from your body seat and legs.
If you have no one helping you at the moment I would get some experianced help on the ground sooner rather than later.

 

[Fimbacob]

^^^ this!

 

[naid pollyanna]

by teh sounds of it shes just like mine and i wouldnt put a flash on unless you have been told she is severly opening her mouth or crossing it which usually comes from them not being sure of their bit anyway. but ive had two horses the same and the minute you put a tight flash on they were worse take it off theyd improve, just a nice tight nosband positioned nice and high a finger underneath the bone not sure what its called but on their cheek ha ha which is where the jaw opens anyway if they cant open that it makes it a little harder to open thebottom too.

bit wise id try a waterfor there is nothing for them to grab and lean on and is infact a very soft bit as it moves constantly and cannot apply a solid permament pressure. if that doesnt work anything witha revolver or rollers etc. keep the bit moving and interesting for the horse as this encourages them to accept it more that a sloid chuck help by solid hands. the move you can keep the bit moving( but only slightly) the better thats why roller etc help alot for ones that have tendancy to ignore the bit occasionally and run through it

good luck x

 

[naid pollyanna]

and i agree with goldenstar. the best thing you can do for stopping is seating back and deep and if that fails walls are great. the bit should always be a secondary aid to the seat and legs.