Bits to help with straightness!

[drummers mum]

Maybe I am barking up the wrong tree, but last night I rode Livvi in a pelham (see blog for more info) and just ridden on the normal rein I immediatley found I had less problems with straightness...I have been hanging onto the left rein cos she dives right........and found her easier to guide round turns.

So I was thinking about which bits I could try, at the moment she is in a loose ring lozenge snaffle, any ideas/thoughts?

[VR]

How about a Fulmer? You can get eggbut or loose ring versions (my youngster currently being in the latter) and the full cheeks are said to help steering etc. Perhaps having had the longer shank on the Pelham (I.e. Similarly to the full cheeks of a Fulmer, compared to your usual loose ring bit) is what made the difference on your last ride?  Worth a try at least, (but don't forget to get some Fulmer loops/keepers if you do though!)

[catkin]

A fulmer for me too - (though I'm a bit of a philistine and use mine without the loops because that's what my little horse prefers)
Great for young horses, kindly but firmly 'points them in the right direction' . The ones wth the curved mouthpieces appear to be particularly comfortable for lots of horses.
Like all bits check the manufacturing so that it is all smooth.
My old TB wore his all his life (20 plus years of being ridden), the only other bits he ever wore was a double set - they are NOT the 'baby-bits' they sometimes have the reputation of being - and they are legal for just about any competition and acceptable in novice showing.

[drummers mum]

Hmmm, that is a thought! we did have one when we were starting out, but I sold it! The thing is, I don't have problems with steering in particular, we are past that point BUT more with a wobbly head, my contact and and going out through her shoulders....I wondered if it was more to do with the bit being sriff rather than jointed?

[winnieandben]

Could be the hanging cheek aspect.  You could always try a mullen mouth hanging cheek snaffle.  I have always thought mullen mouth snaffles / bits would give a bit of a wooden feel but have found a few horses that like them 

[catkin]

The thing is, I don't have problems with steering in particular, we are past that point BUT more with a wobbly head, my contact and and going out through her shoulders....

Not meaning to be controversial or rude here,this meant with the best intentions, isn't what you have described a 'steering' problem? The Welsh princess has tendencies to drop a shoulder and look about, always has had, so I know a bit of what you are describing. It's not just a change of bit and the problem will go away its more to do with balancing and keeping between the aids. I personally find that a fulmer can help focus but of course it is different for every horse (my welshie is 6 years old, not a just backed baby but neither is she fully mature in either mind or body)

[drummers mum]

lol catkin, no offense taken, it was more my explanation that was naf you are right, it is still a steering problem but not a steering problem

What I was meaning is that she knows the aides and I am not steering with my reins, as in the use of a fulmer would help to turn because its pushing in the outside cheek. I am attempting to keep her as straight as possible through turns as she will overbend and go through her shoulders so this has meant being more proactive with my seat and legs, something which I am lazy at .

What I was kind of wondering is if the fixed mouth piece of the pelham is less mobile in her mouth, even if my contact is lacking, the bit will not move so much and because it is straight there is no centre piece to become off centre and put her off, therefor she feels everything stiller and stays straighter!  Am I talking rubbish?

Anyway, I have found a mullen mouth snaffle to try AND I am going to try my friends myler.