Bitting Section D

[Mad&Mag]

Hi was hoping for a bit of advice for bitting my Welsh Cob Section D.

Sorry it is a bit long winded but here goes.

Madoc is 7 years old and is currently ridden in a Myler Low Port Comfort Snaffle with d's and hooks with a flash and a running martingale.

He had a late start with his education due to being badly kicked on his back legs and narrowly missed his tendon so he does occationaly struggle with his canter on his 'bad' rein.

Over the past year i have worked on his schooling (now having a yard with huge arena) and have done a lot of hill work to build up his muscles in his legs and back. he can now work in a very nice outline and holds his own in the canter on both reins. he still however doesnt understand leg contact so i only ride using hands, body, seat and voice and he does well when i ride him like this.

However over the past two months he has started to ride on my hands and only wants to do fast work the minute he gets on the arena (which i dont).

He has also started to go strong in general and i think he may have outgrown the bit (not size just in being more mature boy).

i dont put him on the arena to blast around and then come off. i work him walk, trot, bending, polework, a little jump, canter and variey this each time so he his not doin the same thing over and over. he is also hacked and lunged.

Any suggestions are welcomed.

Maybe he needs a new bit was thinking hanging cheek or pelham?


Picture was taken in after a Fun ride in March.

[Sexy Sietske]

Have you tried getting your saddle checked? It could be that he is a little uncomfortable due to getting bigger/more muscled and the saddle getting a little tight?

Providing that is all well I would try a loose ring? This will encourage him to not lean, possibly a french link as section Ds tend to have small mouths and big tongues. My 3 year old was bolting, backing up at 100mph rearing and napping and generally being a pest when I tried her in a single jointed bit, thankfully I was on the floor :p

Long reining can be useful at teaching to respect brakes/test running a new bit without being taken for a blast around when you realise you brakes are failing :D

[carthorse]

My initial reaction is he needs to learn to accept your leg as that will give you a lot more control over pace & leaning. Can you get someone to help you teach him this? I think that if you can get him listening to the leg then you'll probably find the bit isn't a problem - Myler low port comfort snaffles are usually really good for native shape mouths & since you're using it with the hooks you already have some leverage action.

I do like pelhams (I have one with the same mouthpiece as your snaffle) & it may be a useful tool if you can use two reins so you aren't constantly using the curb BUT I'd work on getting him to accept the leg first.

[Liz1949]

I would bet money that the bit is NOT the root of, nor the solution to, your problems. Although you say you think he might have outgrown it - it IS big enough, isn't it?

Less use of his mouth and your hands, and more education in and familiarity with the messages given by your legs and body - for both of you - would be the 'order of the day' here, IMO.