Bit advice!

[Scabbersley]

My 15 year old has a cracking jumping pony (well he's 15.1 but we call him a pony!). He's been off for a bit with a bad back, has a new saddle now, physio has been out and he's going really well. A bit too well in fact! Although he's been hacked and lunged he is back to his old self in that he is very strong when jumping. He's a good boy, not naughty, just ears pricked, very keen, big powerful jump. Her shoulders nearly got pulled out in a lesson yesterday and instructor recommended a stronger bit (he's in a universal). He tends to lean so she said a waterford version of what he's got now would be good. I am a bit nervous to put him in this as he's so willing and genuine I don't want to freak him out with a strong bit. But dd is torn between wanting more control and not wanting to upset him. Advice would be welcome!

That's good advice, thanks. It's hard when you have both pony and teen who just want to jump as big as possible

" you've totally made up in your own head that she's hanging on to the bit"

if you read my post, you will see that in fact, I said i could be wrong, did I not?
Sorry but instead of looking for stronger and stronger bits until the horse is numb/ and or in pain, think about getting some more lessons. Just think about it, that is all. Every rider has more to learn, do they not?

My pony who was beautifully schooled, by that I mean I could gallop through a field and pull him up by my seat, would completely lose his shit jumping and get so excited that no way could I hold him in the bit I used for flat work. He could do changes on the flat but paid no attention to his snaffle when jumping but with his universal in he was a different pony. I'd try the Waterford universal as it's just one change rather than two if that makes sense.

Sorry but instead of looking for stronger and stronger bits until the horse is numb/ and or in pain, think about getting some more lessons. Just think about it, that is all. Every rider has more to learn, do they not?

Did you miss the bits about the lessons

I would get him jumping nicely on a lunge line with a rope halter and nothing else.

I would then invest in some lunge lessons for your daughter. With no bit.to work on her seat and ensure she's not causing the issue before entertaining stronger bits. Almost never necessary IMO.

Iceiceice - not intending to be goady but genuinely interested in your response, if it's almost never necessary, why do we often see professional, highly respected riders jumping in "stronger" bits?

Lunge lessons always good for everyone at all levels so can't say it would be a bad thing and I'm sure OP's daughter will benefit nonetheless, but I don't get the impression from OP's description that OP's DD is causing the problem, just has a keen pony for jumping

I am also another who agrees btw that a change of bit to one a horse respects is much better for horse than needing to pull on a snaffle or hurtle out of balance at fences! Have ridden most in a snaffle but I've also ridden some who have gone better in something different

It totally depends on the horse. Mine can't be ridden without a flash. Not due to lessons or schooling, she's competed up to medium, tried every bit etc. But she's learnt if she puts her tongue over the bit, then you stop to sort it (as she can't) and so she gets a break from any form of "hard" work work she doesn't like
Even on the lunge, tongue over the bit. Yet if you put a flash on, not tight, she doesn't do it. Mares!

Grackle? I have 2 ponies who can be strong when jumping. I hate harsh bits, so use a grackle with their normal bit. Result. They don't work for every horse but worth a try?

He sounds like a really lovely pony and you clearly have thought very carefully about this and want to do the best for him and your daughter. I would certainly try the waterford to see if it helps, especially as your instructor has recommended it and they know the pony and your daughter well enough to think it a good idea. Could you borrow one just to try maybe so that you don't end up spending a fortune if it doesn't work? The grackle suggestion is worth trying as well as that may work for your pony and save you having to change the bit. I know at least two horses who need and go very nicely in waterfords for jumping as they grab the bit and go when they see a jump but are in snaffles for dressage and flatwork.
I have a welsh cob who does everything in a straight bar, happy mouth snaffle and caveson noseband, including driving, with no issues whatsoever but you take her in a field of show-jumps or onto a cross-country course without a kimblewick and you would die! Far better to use a stronger bit lightly than a "mild" one harshly! This is a pony who I have owned since 6 months old and broke to ride 20 years ago and has competed very successfully in affiliated dressage to elementary level and won multiple showing classes and championships at county shows under saddle and in harness. No amount of schooling would stop her turning into Zebedee in a field of jumps.