Bit advice please

[Sarah & Axel]

I am after some advice on bits for my 4yr old welsh sec D.

I have recently changed from a normal eggbut snaffle to a loop ring snaffle as he used to throw his head up and take off resulting in me having zero brakes and control:eek: with this change i seem to have a lot more control and he is a lot lighter infront and doesn't seem to pull me nearly as much. The thing is he takes about 20-30 minutes to settle down and accept a contact :rolleyes: he did with the eggbut too and i just assumed it was a baby thing and he would get better. (he is teething at the moment)

BUT

I have just put him in a mullen mouth pelham for m&m showing and right from the first 2 minutes of it being in it he felt so settled and happy, He doesn't seem to get wound up, and works in a contact right away. I don't want to have him in a pelham all the time with him being so young plus we are doing novice classes this year and we need to be in a snaffle. Do you think the joints in the snaffle could be causing him to get wound up? do you think it would be worth me trying a mullen mouth snaffle?

thank you in advance :D

[mikh]

Do you use the pelham with double reins? If he is working well in it I would try and replicate the mouth piece in a snaffle version yes

[Sarah & Axel]

yes i use double reins :D

[eventerbabe]

my 4 year old welsh D won't tolerate single jointed bits either, i think the joint hits the top of his mouth and he just gets distressed. We've had most success in a full cheek snaffle with copper peanut roller, he's most settled in that. if he's only 4 i'm not suprised he takes a while to settle, i wouldn't be expecting much of him tbh. Welshies don't tend to mature til they are 6 or 7. I'd be looking at either a mullen mouth or something with a link in it so it doesn't scissor and hit the roof of the mouth.

[mikh]

yes i use double reins :D

Well then yes I'd try him in a simple mullen mouth snaffle! :D

[kt_luvs_smartie]

if youve been using a single jointed snaffle it will be the joint not the ring, try a french link as the nutcracker action of the single jointed snaffle upsets some horses and is there to raise the horse's head if they are prone to running on the forehand with their head on the floor. lol. The french link still applies pressure to the same areas of the single jointed its just better for the horse who is fussier in the mouth.

[Joyscarer]

The difference in my girl since I moved to an unjointed mouthpiece is amazing. She has better breaks too. Sometimes a change is all that's needed rather than going stronger.

[wundahoss]

Yes, I agree that a straight or double jointed bit is generally much easier on a horse than a single joint snaffle. The single joint hits the roof of the mouth & also has a nutcracker effect:eek: on the tongue when both reins are used with much pressure. It is not a 'gentle' bit for uneducated horses or riders.

Sounds like your boy either doesn't understand how to yield to the bit very well, or something else(like saddle pain or 'heavy hands' for eg) is causing him to run through the pressure. This reaction is natural for a horse that is confused, fearful or in pain & right brained, unthinking.

With regard to him taking that long to settle, no, this isn't just about him being young. It sounds to me like he's been hurting and reacting, trying to communicate and alleviate it, but this has been ignored and so eventually he gives in, becomes resigned to it.

It may be that it is solely his bracing against the bit that is causing pain, so when he gives up it's no longer painful. But he is going on automatic, not thinking rationally, so the more practice he has at this the more resentful he will be to the whole riding experience. I personally wouldn't want the horse to feel like this, especially at only 4yo. I would be listening to his initial communication & try to rectify the problem before riding him more, whether this be through more/better training(for you &/or horse) or relief of pain.