A "bit" Of A Difference

[Mossy]

Take one Highland, fit stroppy and opinionated, and when excited, perfectly capable of setting his neck, giving me two fingers and tanking so I tried a metal stainless pelham despite me knowing he loathes stainless, rubber he liked but chomped through. Yes he stops but no finesse at all, just leans. I schooled him today in his KK snaffle, light, bouncy and a joy. However he will not stop on it when hunting. So, despite huge reservations and in the absence of an Aurigan, or cupro nickel silver pelham, I am going for a German Silver double. His mouth is big enough. I just hope I am up to it!!!

[ros]

A word of warning, my dear - I spent £60-something on a KK training bit for M. in the early days, which he dented in 20 minutes.  I imagine German Silver is far more expensive, so hopefully it's a bit harder too  :P  :P  (Might be worth working out how many rubber replacements you could buy for the money?   )

Seriously, will be interesting to see how you get on.

[pintopiaffe]

I'm waiting to hear as well.

Mac goes almost as well in the double as he does in the pelham--despite having NO room in there.

Finding the right bradoon is problematic... using a KK Leine right now with regular rings which looks ridiculous (but does the trick)

I bet you'll love the double.  It's quite conventional for hunting--at least over here!  Back in *the day* when I was showing hunters, and a real field hunter jumped in a *field*...  a double was much more common than it is over here now.

It appears in the UK you've kept that showing tradition... but over here you never see a double at all except in upper level dressage.  

It's useful.  

Will be interested to hear how it goes!

[Mossy]

No I have not suddenly won the lottery!!!! ebay is wonderful. I too have a KK training snaffle which Moss gets on very well with for schooling, yes it was pricey but cheap if he likes it. Rubber snaffles he eats for lunch - or dinner or whatever meal is appropriate.  

[Mossy]

Well we had our first hack in the new kit. Very gently, due to the ground but he was fine, loved it in fact. Nice and soft and responsive, when we found a soft bit of grass we tried a canter, he tried to lean on the curb, came across the bradoon, and stopped leaning instantly. One nice soft mouth and two wet bits when we got back! Next test will be hunting so wish me luck as you CANNOT duplicate the adrenaline rush they get when hunting.
PS has anybody seen the letter in one of the horse mags this month about the lady with a highland who was fat and steady to start with but turned into a nightmare as he got fitter? I know the feeling. Moss is no nightmare but he can be very strong.

[Caro&Ruari]

Mossy - v interested in your post - my highland does not like a pelham and tries to duck behind it but is very happy in a double despite having more in his mouth.  Funny lads aren't they!  

[Mossy]

Yes Mum I can boogie!!! Went hunting yesterday, not the good run I was hoping for though. Hound exercise involved hounds on wood work and us standing there on the edge of the moor gassing and trying to stoop overexcited horses running anyway. BUT he was soft, light and most of the time well mannered. I think the double is a success!!

[Sarah]

Pleased to hear that worked for you, I swapped Tango's rubber (yum I like to eat taht) pelham for a double last year and found she no longer leans on the bit hunting either.  As you say, get an opinionated native who thinks they should be the master's horse and sometimes a double is called for!

bye!