Changing Bits

[Miriam]

Can anyone tell me what is the next bit up from a hanging cheek snaffle. Rhi is settting her jaw against her bit and holding her head up when being rode (more in canter and when jumping). She needs a stronger bit but I don't want anything too sevier (sp) (Instructor  says may be a Dr Bristol or osmething along that line)

[ros]

My two penn'orth would be the trusty Pelham.  I had exactly the same problem with Merlin in his snaffle (nose in the air, tanking etc.); I switched to a hanging cheek on the basis that it had a little bit of poll action, but to be honest it did no good whatsoever, and my next step was the Pelham, with which I was absolutely delighted and which I still use as my everyday bit three years later.  It's just so versatile.

[Cobstar]

Hi Miriam

Try the pelham as Ros suggests.  If that doesn't work try something like an eggbutt snaffle with a french link - this is supposed to be a bit stronger than a loose ring version but not as strong as a Dr Bristol.  Or something like a sweetiron bit with a copper link - horse's tend to have a moist mouth in that and seem less likely to

I borrowed someone's Magenis snaffle once - it's got copper rollers set in the arms of the snaffle - and that was good as Carrie didn't set her jaw against it.

Carrie came from a riding school and was hacked out with a gag snaffle with the gag rein attached because she was strong. I managed to wean her off that bit and used to hack out in an ordinary snaffle.  We did put the gag snaffle back on when she went hunting with Chrissie though!

Part of the reason that Carrie had such a strong bit in the riding school is because she was strong people tended to hang on to her mouth and she just pulled against that.  I'm sure that's it not the case with you and Rhi but it does take two to pull.  Part of the reason I couldn't get C to go well in a pelham is I wasn't quick enough to do my bit to prevent Carrie setting her jaw against the bit.

Has Rhi had her teeth and back checked recently?

[KarenRO]

Geez, I had a horrble lesson this weekend!  For one, it was in the 90s and extremely humid and Summer, as a black horse, was not comfortable.  She also seemd to be coming into season and alternated between being sluggish to being hyper.

But the worst part was she kept moving with her neck up and her nose pointed out.  Her jaw was set like a brick wall!  I've been using a loose ring french link (german silver), which she normally adores.  I keep thinking about trying a pelham but have read (somewhere) that a mullen mouth bit in a horse that leans, is a disaster waiting to happen!  Actually, I think Summer is more inclined to stiffen her jaw rather than brace against a bit.

Any suggestions?  I alternate squeezing and releasing the reins along with my legs and sometimes she responds and more often, NOT.

ARGH!!!  KarenRO

[Miriam]

Thanks for the help guys.