What bit for a strong pony?

[sheltiegroomer]

I have a 13 He was a kids pony but played them up generally being strong on the ground and ridden....excellent lead rein... Just after some bitting advice... He is quite strong in his current hanging cheek bit, a bit more stoppable in a kimblewick with curb chain.... however when jumped he is very strong and has moments of tanking off.. Any ideas bit wise..really wanted to avoid a pelham if possible... He is currently in a waterford...
thanks people!:confused::p

[shandy84]

Schooling, schooling and more schooling ;)

I personally wouldn't advise a bit change until you have tried other options like teeth, back and saddle check and schooling :)

[sheltiegroomer]

teeth done, back checked, new saddle...schooling is the option now but not much fun being tanked into fence all the time..good as gold out hacking..just has small attitude problem with schooling!! and a bit of excitement with jumping!! ... though good point...may perserver with our kimblewick which is pretty strong anyway..

[shandy84]

Try taking things really slowly one of mine used to go dotty with schooling but after lots of walking and circles etc for a few weeks settled into it so that I could introduce trot and so on.

Have you tried long lining? That's brilliant for teaching manners and schooling but I find you have more control than on top

[candy-floss]

ohh will be keeping an eye on this thread....! :D

[sheltiegroomer]

that sounds like a good plan... I will try with just walk in the school and lots of circles and serpentines.. We will keep jumping and faster work to out on hacks where he seems to be very sensible and calm ..(fingers crossed this remains the way)...I think his main issue is he got away with a lot being handled by a young child who couldn't stop him through size and fear mostly!..we are doing lots of groundwork.

[shandy84]

That sounds like a good plan, let us know how you get on, after you've done all this he may need a bit change but it's better to do the schooling first :)

[inhs]

First, check his teeth are not sore etc. Then........

Schooling including groundwork - you need to retrain him to understand that light pressure does not mean go forward, it actually means go back.

Once he understands that, brakes are easy.

http://irishnhsociety.proboards41.com/index.cgi?board=usefulinformation&action=display&thread=1191926143

PS you hit the nail on the head there in your post - he's strong on the ground AND when ridden - fix the issue on the ground when handling, and his ridden will get a lot better as a result too. Forget about the bit, just do a bit of groundwork :)

[sheltiegroomer]

that thread is brill. thanks :-)

[madlady]

Agree with everyone's comments about the groundwork but just another thought for you re the jumping - if he's tanking at jumps then do you have the possibility to do some groundwork and/or ridden schooling around jumps that have been set up? We had similiar jumping issues with an old pony of ours because she loved to jump she wanted to do it at 90mph so we schooled and did groundwork around jumps to get her out of the habit of pulling rider towards the nearest jump.

Good luck with everything.

[puzzles]

Schooling, schooling and more schooling ;)

I personally wouldn't advise a bit change until you have tried other options like teeth, back and saddle check and schooling :)

Ditto.

Even though you've had all of those checked, no bit will replace good quality schooling.

x

[sheltiegroomer]

hey guys! thought u would all like to know we had a schooling,jumping and roadwork session today!! maxxed the little lad out but we were on such a roll... first some flat work..walk only ...was super...then a little trot...excellent again then my friend jumped on him to pop him over some jumps as some of u know I am pretty injured atm ...in fact on crutches with a bad knee so cannot stand up in stirrups... she popped him over up to 2ft 6 ish ..he was a star getting better each time... then I hopped back on and we went for a little hack out along the road..again...nothing silly at all... we had a moment where he thought the puddle was a deep dark hole..but didnt spook just refused to go through briefly but ending up going through a shallower bit for the temptation of polos that I had in my pocket!!!
What a star...I am so pleased with him...all of this in a hanging cheek bit ..his original bit..didnt even have to resort to the 'for the kids' kimblewick... was so impressed...so its either change of attitude because I've been playing the friendly game and porcupine game with him for past 3 weeks or due to having moved to a lovely new yard with 24/7 turn out on lush (??!) grass ...or that he was just having a brilliant day... Either way ..more of this to come please!!!.... I was seriously pleased with my lad today... This is what its all about!!! Really inspired me to jump him more when I am better too..felt really good on him out hacking!!! :-) :-) :-)

[Jobi-Wan Kenobi]

pleased that it's turning out well for you :)

Just out of interest, why did you say you didn't want to try a pelham? It has a similar action to a kimblewick. Purely interested to know your reason. :)

[sheltiegroomer]

Hi ya!... Jobi....didn't want to try pelham as the kimblewick was awful ....he wasn't strong in it but leaned on the bit the whole time...seriously annoying ...no good for him...and hurt my arms!! He doesnt go will in anything that's not jointed ... no idea why...plus was reluctant to accept kimblewick bit whereas now no fight to bridle and bit him! :-)
waterford is much better for him... we hacked out today and again felt like I had brakes.... and was in control...had a few hairy moments...namely with bl**dy stupid dogs jumping up at him and running after us!! ..cue a little bolt ..but was easy to bring back from it!
All in all looking up... :-)

[Cupcake]

That is fantastic news :D Good on you for trying to sort out the problem rather than slapping on a harshier bit, if only everyone would try that first.

[sheltiegroomer]

Hi everyone just wanted to let u all know he's still in his waterford hanging cheek and having lead him out in hand in it and hacked out alone the other day we have since been out with others... one a big 17hh + who mine things he is in a race with! and even cantering I felt like I had brakes, he listened to me and all in all things are dandy!... Hacked out again today just us and we even managed to walk half way across mway bridge stop for a polo (obligatory on scaried hacks for him and me- plus never know when u might need fresh breath!), turned round and walked back the long way.... all feeling totally in control, so pleased I have kept him in the hanging cheek which replaced the kimblewick and ever so pleased we got rid of kimblewick which I think was too harsh and wrong shape for him! xx thanks everyone for ideas :-)