best suited bit?

[lexilou]

can anyone recommend me a bit for my horse?

i have an arab gelding who i hack out, we dont do schooling. he is very forward going and a little strong, lately ive not done too much as felt he has no brakes!
he needs a martingale as always throws his head about

im not too well up on the bits so could do with someone knowlegable to advise me lol
thanks x

[puzzles]

I would definitely have his back, saddle and teeth checked - possibly the cause for your horse's head throwing is pain or discomfort somewhere. By throwing his head around, your horse is trying to tell you in the only way he can that he is not comfortable; trying a range of bits using 'trial and error' is the only real way to get past this, once you're horse has been checked for physical problems. A martingale merely masks the problema dn treats the symptoms rather than the actual problem itself, so you need to find the root of his head throwing and treat is accordingly, rather than turn a blind eye and go down the easy route; claiming that he's just being difficult/fussy, etc etc.
The right bit should have your horse working comfortably without resistance, submissing to your hands and accpeping the bit.
Bits which have a soft, comfortable mouthpiece - including rubber, plastic, copper/sweet iron, as well as curved mouthpieces, doyble-jointed (french links aren't always useful for horses with fussy mouths as it deliberately targets more tongue pressure than other double-jointed mouthpieces).I would avoid single-jointed bits, as these have a nutcracker action on the sensitive area of the tongue which many horses find uncomfortable.bits which also have curved mouthpieces or a high port to reduce tongue pressure, etc, may also help to keep your horse more comfortable.
These kind of bits will encourage your horse to accept the bit and soften, salivating (though not too much!) in the process.
You may find that you don't need much more leverage than a mild snaffle (such as an Eggbutt or Loose-ring, althougha loose-ring moves about more, helping keep your horse's mouth stimulated and yet using more poll pressure because of it) and never forget that no bit replaces good quality schooling, but is only a valuable tool that will make or break your horse's performance.
If, however, you find that you still need a little more control, then you can try a Half Cheek, Full Cheek or D-ring cheekpiece to help give you better steering, or the middle ring of a Dutch gag for extra leverage or a Hanging Baucher for more poll pressure (though moving on to a harsher bit should be always be a last resort after lots of elbow grease spent working on bettering your horse's comfort and performance.

I personally love the Myler bit range (http://www.themylerbitbank.co.uk/) These bits have swet iron mouthpieces and independant side movement, to aid steering and control and making your horse much more comfortable.

You an try this website for more information on the actions of dfferent bits:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit_(horse)

Good luck and keep us updated on how you get on, whatever you do!

:-)

xx

[inca]

neue schule are a good range of bits as well , i think its www.neueschulebits.com , the staff are very helpful as well and will give you lots of advice, so it may be worth a look:D

[bitsnpieces]

Hiya!

It may be worthwhile trying a little bit of schooling with him, just to remind him of what you are asking and also that when you ask he should be doing it (obviously as long as aids are correct etc etc) even when you are out hacking you can practice lots of transitions etc which will get him listening.

On a bitting not I have a rather strange suggestion - have you tried a milder bit? I had chronic ridden problems with my girlie when I got her and she is built like tank so when she puts up a fight, arguing back isn't always the best option (lots of lovely blisters!!) we had the dentist down and it was 9 years of hardly any teeth trimming and wolf teeth that was causing the problem so she had 6 months in a bitless bridle (norwegian scawbrig) and then we re-bitted her in a straight bar happy mouth. At this point I fell for the age old problem of putting her back in a single jointed eggbut snaffle which was ok for a few years but I had one or two problems with her accepting the bit every now an then but pushed her through it. Once I started competing she still felt a little offish so I changed her to a happy mouth hanging snaffle with a lozenge and she adores it!!! wish I'd done it earlier, the softer material seems to have eliminated any the jaw crossing or pulling that had been cropping up intermittently over the years. Have a good look at the confirmation of his mouth - does he have a dished face (is less room in the mouth), does he have a fat tongue? also do get his back, saddle and teeth checked!

Sorry for the essay - hope it helps a bit! Keep us posted on how you get on!

[lexilou]

thanks all for your replys :)
yes ive had his back and teeth checked he had his newly fitted saddle last month so i know theres no problems there.

while we have been on the quieter lanes ive been doing some transitions with him and it does get him listening, although im having problems keeping him in to the side of the road his back end moves out alot

suppose i could try a milder bit like what type? :confused: hes in a french link snaffle at mo
no good with bits lol

[Wally]

I have found Arabs are sensetive little souls and they will object to the feel of a martingale......by.......wait for it.........throwing their heads about, which then becomes a habit, so even after you take a martingale off it might take a week or so to re-educate him without it.

try without a martingale, mind your nosey for a while though. If you think you might get the reins thrown over his head make yourself an Irish one with bale string, untill you are certain.

[puzzles]

Yup, i agree. :-)

Instead of a rather restrictive French Link, you could try a double-jointed (not French link), a bit with a curved mouthpiece to relieve tongue pressure, sweet iron - plus some of the other mouthpieces stated in my other post.

:-)

xx

Good luck!