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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

Bitting advice please

13 replies

cazboldy · 27/09/2011 22:27

Hi

I took on a friends horse in February, after she bought it and didn't get on with her. When she bought her she was in a snaffle. She is 6, but very green, more like a 4 year old really. In the 5 weeks she had her she put her into a gag!

IMO the gag was extremely excessive, but when I took her and put her in the snaffle, it didn't feel like i had any brakes at all and she leaned dreadfully.

I then borrowed a snaffle with cheeks, which she didn't seem happy in.

For the last 3 months I have had her in a french link which she has been going very well in. Obviously i have been getting to know her, and schooling her, having the odd lesson, but mainly hacking.

just lately she has been getting very strong, and a couple of times a canter has turned into a flat out gallop, and i need more brakes.

She did also have a martingale and a flash noseband which i have taken off as she seems to put her head down instead of up, and she doesn't cross her jaw or open her mouth, so didn't want to strap her down unneccessarily.

Anyway, thanks for reading this, and any help/advice would be great

OP posts:
Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 28/09/2011 11:48

Goodness! there are so many options! you really have to just try as many as you can and see what works.
Have you tried a wilkie, or a hanging cheek snaffle? If she leans on the bit, how about a waterford?
I hate 3 ring gags, they are bloody awful and are NEVER used properly. They should be used with 2 sets of reins.
Id be getting her teeth checked, and her back. She could be galloping off, because she is hurting and trying to get away from the pain. Especially if this is a new development.

Original poster
cazboldy · 28/09/2011 12:50

thanks

teeth and back all recently done and fine -had a wolf tooth removed.

she is constantly testing me and seeing what she can get away with so I have to be very firm with her, but don't want to fight her or stop her going forward.

Have been doing lots of transition work to get het to listen to me more and she seems to enjoy that so will just keep on working at it.

It's not going to be easy, but I think she will make a really lovely horse in the end.

OP posts:
BlueChampagne · 28/09/2011 13:21

She may just be feeling fitter and happier and expressing it by bombing off. Mine used to - don't think any bit would have made a difference on those days. What has your instructor suggested?

Original poster
cazboldy · 29/09/2011 12:30

haven't had a lesson recently - can't afford it at the moment.

OP posts:
redredruby · 29/09/2011 13:31

I use a gag on my horse when we are doing fast work / jumping. I use a cheltenham gag with cheek pieces and it works really well for horses who put their heads down low (between the knees!)

However, I am riding a 17year old irish draught that is built like a tank and has learnt a fair few tricks in his life which is quite different to the sound of your girl - I agree she is probably finding her feet with you and testing the boundaries but using a bit that she will listen to when galloping away is probably better for the time being to keep you both safe. You could use different bits for different activities? I use a french link snaffle when I school but wouldn't dream of jumping him in it.

Good luck! Smile

Original poster
cazboldy · 29/09/2011 14:33

Thanks redredruby

She is 7/8 draught 1/8 thoroughbred. That's what she does sticks her head down and pulls and i'm just not stong enough to lift her back up - she almost pulls me out of the saddle.

However have ridden her3 times this week, and she hasn't done it at all.........

OP posts:
redredruby · 29/09/2011 14:47

So she's got strength and speed! Its a bugger when they do it isn't it?! I don't necessarily think there is anything wrong with using a strong bit as long as it is used carefully and can often save months of 'fighting' which is actually more painful.

It sounds as though you are on the right track with her - have you also tried bracing your reins? That stops me getting pulled out the saddle (I hasten to add I only do this on gallop stretches in case anyone thought I just rode around with braced reins, on a gag!)

Original poster
cazboldy · 30/09/2011 11:59

no, what is bracing your reins??

OP posts:
olderyetwider · 30/09/2011 12:37

Do you mean bridging reins?

redredruby · 30/09/2011 15:26

Yes sorry, bridging not bracing.....the mind boggles Blush

Original poster
cazboldy · 30/09/2011 20:57

ok - got you..... yeah nothing makes much difference at the time - can hardly even steer...... good job i have a big field to canter on! but she was fab yesterday, and stayed steady in canter even in the company of an ex racer Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
cazboldy · 20/11/2011 21:44

hi

coming back to this to update........

so, decided to have some help from a natural horsemanship practitioner, as thought i needed to sort the problem rather than masking it with a stronger bit.

Have now had 4 sessions, and it's early days, but I have learnt so much about her, and hopefully am starting to build a really good lasting relationship with her.

At the moment I seem to have the most control so far, even though she is in a happy mouth full cheek snaffle with peanut joint, and no noseband!

OP posts:
AlpinePony · 21/11/2011 09:15

Wonderful news! These NH people are fantastic!

Fwiw, I hate nosebands for "control" and a cavesson is only decorative. Pointless bloody things and it seems virtually impossible right now to buy a bridle without a flash nosebad attached. :(

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