Bitting Help!

[Hoof-Prints]

Hi, i have a 5yr old 14.2hh Dutch Warmblood X mare, iv'e only had her a week but i'm having difficulty decided what bit would be best. At the minute shes being ridden in a loose ring snaffle with a lozenge, but she doesn't feel as comfertable in this bit compared to the the happy mouth loosed ring i tried her in, although at the time i felt she needed a bit more poll pressure. I went to have a saddle fitted today and the man there reccomended a hanging cheek happy mouth french link snaffle, as she needed to bring her nose in a bit more but i'm worried this might be bad for her mouth as she is so young, and iv'e had a friend advise against it, when i'm riding her she also tends to have a bit of an outside bend so i was considering the full cheek to help with turning because that was reccomended, she isnt sensitive to the slightest touch but i wouldnt call her strong, and im concerend it may be quite severe compared to the loose ring, and a simple jointed ring would be better as im sharing her with my sister and she uses her hands to turn, not her legs, so like i said im concered about her getting hard in the mouth. So now im completley confused lol! any suggestions?

[sheer bliss]

First things first, has she had her teeth checked?

If they have been, I'd have to agree with your saddler, with the hanging cheek, french link. there not severe at all, (they're are BD legal!) and it will give a clearer signal than a loosering, with a little poll pressure which will help with her head carrage. It will also act like a half cheek and give clearer turning signals
I personally like a hanging cheek to back a youngster, as to me it makes there life easier, as the messages are clear. I have a welsh a, and a hanavarian X both being backed / re-backed this yr and both love there hanging cheeks (I use barreled, mylers though not french links) If I didnt use mylers I'd use a french link, NOT a single joint, as single joints do pinch the tongue! and often bash the roof of the mouth! which will cause pain and make your horses head carrage even higher!

PS. Only the riders hands will make a horse hard in the mouth, as long as your hands are soft, your horses mouth will stay soft;)

Jill

[Hoof-Prints]

Thanks, she has had her teeth checked and shes goin well in it at the minute and her head carraige has really improved, although i think i will have to buy a stainless steel bit instead of the happy mouth as she has chewed it and i don't want it rubbing. Her bend has improved a little but i think i will have to get some lessons to work on improving it as her outside bend is pretty bad on the right rein- but she is young, will get to work on it (:

[Nik-n-Kia]

I would say a hanging cheek would be a good choice.

Slight poll presure and its not severe at all.

Nikki xxx