Any ideas

[cedmonds]

Ds (7) is having problems controlling his pony jumping now they are doing bigger tracks (2ft plus) she just takes hold of the bit and goes. They had team jumping practice today and she was really nappy and strong the jumps that he had her were lovely and he did get her round the course in the end! She is in a Myler hanging cheek at the moment and has a flash with running martingale. She has a very soft mouth most of the time he just needs a little bit more jumping.

[Mirage]

Watching with interest as DD1's new pony loves to jump and can get very strong over the bigger jumps.The pony is in the same bit and flash as your DS's,but no martingale as he puts his head down and just goes,so a martingale wouldn't help.

[Pixel]

Kimblewick? Not as much leverage as a pelham and you only need one rein, but it would give you a curb for a bit more control.

[Pixel]

Depends if you can lose the flash though.

[cedmonds]

We have tried a Kimble wick she hated it and needs a flash really as she opens her month and leans with out!!

[sadsometimes]

The show jumping bit of choice here seems to be a willie or a gag

[sadsometimes]

*wilkie

[cedmonds]

Oh hadn't thought about a Wilkie!! Her old owners had her in one when we tried her. Will see if I can get hold of one from the bit bank.

[TropicalHorse]

Hullo,
I was reading this article the other day about showjumping and it talks about the flight response in jumping horses. Seemed to make a lot of sense!
www.horsesandpeople.com.au/article/refusals-can-be-perfectly-allright

[Booboostoo]

Why not get some lessons instead of changing the bit? I am not an instructor but some basic things occur, e.g. doing one jump and stopping right after it, jumping with placing poles to teach both of them to collect and extend the canter, doing the course in trot, etc. I am sure a qualified instructor will have tonnes more good ideas to help without resorting to a stronger bit (which risks teaching your pony to become stronger and your DS to worry about it more).

[cedmonds]

He has weekly lessons with one of the pc instructors. After months of trying to sort it it was her that suggested a change of bit. He has got a lesson on friday after school so we are going to have a play around and see if we can find something to help.

[Booboostoo]

Fair enough. If I were you I would be trying a different instructor before the different bit.

[sadsometimes]

We have a naughty pony who does this sometimes. Tbh I don't think differnt bits help at all unless you find one that they are comfortable in.

We even tried ours in a waterford gag for hunting and he still just peed off whenever he felt like it

The best bit for us is a hanging cheek or a fulmer for a bit more control. Then LEGS and a smart whack on the bum

or...whispers...spurs.