I want to do dressage.....help!!

[joey_olop]

I really want to give Dressage a go on Blackie but have a problem. I ride him in a Pelham & obviously cant ride in this. He hates snaffles, Ive always had problems with him in one(had all usual cecks done & they where fine).

He really evades the bit if I ride in anything else(I have literally tied everything!) & the only bit he likes is a Pelham! He hates any kind of 'nutcracker' action bit so I tried a straight bar snaffle & he was still not happy.

I was thinking about riding him in a double bridle but I would have to have a snaffle & I think I would have problems again.

Anyone got any suggestions??

[JOJOBA]

Hmm.

A hanging cheek snaffle with the same mouthpiece as your pelham?

If its the curb effect he likes then Im not sure what you can do...

Also not sure you're allowed a double for the low level tests, you'd have to ask someone on here...


xxx

[joey_olop]

:eek: really?? Didnt know that!!

Ive actually not tried the hanging cheek, but your probably right that he likes the curb action & if thats the case Im a bit stuffed!!

Thanks for the advice Jo
xx

[Sammii819]

It's a hard one, i would have said a straight bar snaffle but you've tried that.
have you tryed him in a hackamore that way the bit wouldn't be an issue.

[joey_olop]

Yup tried the Hackamore, he hated that even more so than the bit!! He's a bit 'sensitive' bless him!

[Gruntfuttock]

You can only use a double bridle at Elementary and above, so unless you are prepared to start at that level (medium & collected trot and canter, 5-loop serps, etc) you won't be able to compete him in the Pelham (and as you say, you'd still have the problem of the snaffle).

What you might try is speaking to the secretary of a local riding club and seeing if they would let you enter Hors Concors, with the pelham, just to get an idea of how he goes in competition. I'm afraid if he absolutely won't tolerate any other bit at all though, you are a bit stuffed for dressage !

[eventerbabe]

get a good dressage trainer!! our work has come on in leaps and bounds since i got myself a proper, experienced dressage trainer.

As has been said, doubles are not allowed at lower levels, and i'd doubt you'd be allowed to enter HC in anything else. Most clubs around here are very strict and follow BD rules.

My cob moved from a pelham (which he loved) to hanging cheek and took the transfer very well. That, combined with excellent training has really improved him.

[Jane.A]

You could try the Myler comfort snaffle, without hooks or port but with the barrell in the middle and no nutcracker action. You could also try either the Neue Schule hanging cheek with the lozenge in the centre, if you need the poll action to help you keep his head down, this too does not have the nutcracker action. Then there's the Sprenger range of bits with various lozenges. The correct thickness of bit and action is very important to some horses, my mare esp! Took me ages to get her settled, she likes the Neue schule Verbindend snaffle, which is apparently very popular with warmbloods with thick tongues and small mouths like mine. She also likes the Myler comfort snaffle, seems the more it costs the more she likes it:eek:. Thank heavens for Ebay as I've bought bits to try snd sold those she didn't like. Training does make a difference too. You need to practice lots of transitions so you can stop your horse from your stomach and seat and your hands are just a refining tool.

[NoviceNic]

Another massive fan of the Myler Comfort Snaffle. I had issues with Captain bolting a couple of years ago. I put him into a gag for both our safety. Got myself a GOOD RI last May and hey presto we successfully entered our first Dressage comp last Summer in a Myler Comfort Snaffle.:D

It doesnt have a nutcracker action. I curves around the tongue and doesnt raise in the mouth when in action. I bought mine second hand from Ebay as they are very expensive to just "try".

[joey_olop]

Thanks for all the tips everyone, going to have a nosey on e-bay now for bits to try!!

I do have lessons already RI says he is very evasive even in the pelham & she thinks I should do some trial & error with bits to see how he goes :)

[carrimclaren]

You could always give Bitworld a ring http://www.bitworld.co.uk

They sell bits online but if you ring them they do a hire facility where they send you a bit by post to try on a trial. A lot of my friends shop there and have also used the trial facility and have said they are a good service and know a lot about the various types of bits (plus dressage dos and donts).

01664 812298 They're in Leics.

[aylesland]

you could start with an interdressage.com class - they have some where you can ride in any bit

[kaytenherponies]

you could start with an interdressage.com class - they have some where you can ride in any bit

Whats interdressage please. I do dressage on my heavy weight cob but never heard of it