bitting advice please

[gunner5125]

i've had horses in the past but they've always ridden fine in the bits i've bought them with so i really don't know what i'm on about, was hoping for some advice. I ride someone's horse for them and, as it's not my horse, don't want to spend money on it. When i first started riding her, she was in a rubber mullen mouth pelham and hated it. she was always in a lather 5 minutes into the ride, very tense and stressy. her owner said his old instructor put her in it as she was strong, but she wasn't overly strong. I found a french link egbutt lying about in the tack room so i put her in that & she instantly relaxed. no more sweatin, stressin or anything!! she's fine out on a leisurely stroll and walk/trot work schooling but gets very strong when jumping or cantering and fast work out on hacks is a no-no, as i have no brakes. she has run away with me a couple times in the field and pulls like a steam-train the rest of the time. i would like some more brakes but, don't want to spend money on a bit that doesn't make a difference. any suggestions much appreciated. btw, i have also found a single jointed egbutt snaffle that would fit her, would this be any better??)

[BlueWicked]

hiya,

she 'may' go differently in a single jointed, but i wouldnt say it is stronger, it's a differnt action though so the horse may repsond better to it and so you'll only really know by trying. The french link spreads the pressure more evenly over the tongue as it has 2 joints, whereas the single has a nutcracker action, acting on the roof of the mouth. Personally, I dont like single jointed bits, but a lot depends on teh conformation of your horses mouth as to which type of mouthpiece suits them best, and you'l only know by trying.

I presume the owner is ok with you trying different bits? Hate to say it, and i know it will be echoed, but schooling is the main thing:rolleyes: I appreciate where you are coming from though in needing better brakes for faster work. A lot also has to do with how good you are with your hands - the mildest bit can be strong used by a rider with heavy hands, so if you arent 100% confident , I would avoid pelhams.

What exactly does the horse do to get strong? If its head down and lean Id suggest something that raises the head like a dutch gag either with a frenchlink or single jointed mouthpiece. If its head up, try a martingale and something with poll pressure like a hanging cheek.

good luck:)

[gunner5125]

thanks, yeah, he's fine with me trying whatever. he's said that i can do whatever i want as long as she's ok. she is slowly getting better with schooling but i just would like the brakes, and to be able to let her go for a canter when i'm out! i can tell she wants to go, and i do too but i know i won't stop! she leans down on the bit when schooling so may try the dutch gag thing. she's different out on a hack though. head goes up when she pulls & she throws her head up and down & snatches the reins from me. i keep one hand on the neck strap so she's only pulling against herself, it's very annoying. but, as i say, she doesn't do that at all when schooling.

[carthorse]

Do you use the pelham with two reins or one? If you're using roundings & one rein then it may be that she finds the continual curb action too strong & it could be worth trying with two reins. Ride her off the snaffle rein most of the time & keep the curb for when you need it, it's not the most refined use of a pelham but it works well with some horses. Also knowing you've got the back up of the curb rein means you can allow her a little more freedom & that may stop some of the head tossing & tension.

You say the pelham she has is a rubber mullen mouth which is quite a chunky thick bit. Does she just find it too much of a mouthful? You may do better trying a metal mullen mouth pelham & riding with very sympathetic hands.

The fact that she throws her head up makes me feel a dutch gag wouldn't be right for her & I'd be unhappy riding her out in a bit that I knew didn't give me enough brakes for faster work. It isn't ideal but ultimately I'd rather slightly overbit a horse & ride with very light hands than underbit knowing that I don't have control if something goes wrong (ducks for cover :o)

[alanalovesfinn]

It isn't ideal but ultimately I'd rather slightly overbit a horse & ride with very light hands than underbit knowing that I don't have control if something goes wrong (ducks for cover :o)

i agree with that. ( also ducks for cover :p)