Tried Bebe back in a snaffle

[Bebe]

I had an Alexander Technique lesson yesterday and since the last few have involved me swinging my arms around in a wild fashion (well, they weren't holding the reins at least) I decided it would be easier if I put Bebe back in her snaffle and had only one set of reins to worry about.

Bebe hated it! It's the same mouthpiece as her pelham but she just wasn't happy. She gaped her mouth (no noseband), pulled, set her neck against me and argued like billy-o! She's never like this in her pelham even though I use the curb rein maybe once or twice in an hours ride! She was so resistant even though we weren't doing anything that she hasn't done many times before, and with ease.

Just thought I'd post, was interesting to see and feel how much different she was. She made it pretty clear she hates her snaffle and prefers her pelham so we'll be sticking with the pelham from now on. :)

[nat17]

Horses for Courses:D
I am sure i will need some help soon on biting, i have a feeling mr podge is not happy in a normal snaffle, so needle in haystack comes to mind as i am a 'bit virgin', never had to change one before!!!;)

[Bebe]

Nat, I feel for you! Finding a bit that Bebe really liked was a nightmare, wouldn't want to have to do it again.

Hopefully Podge will be easier!:)

[nat17]

Its good that you tried a change and she did not get on with it compared to your normal bit, proves you got it right;)

[De_lady]

Hi, I have a snaffel problem too. I am trying to figure out what I am going to do. My gelding goes SOOOOOO much better in a pelham. I don't want to switch back to the snaffel he hates, but I am required to used a snaffel when showing dressage. Any suggestions?

De_lady

[Bebe]

Since the full cheek snaffle experiment I've been riding Bebe in her pelham with a rein only on the top (snaffle) ring. She's been going really well like this so I decided to try to get a hanging cheek snaffle in the same mouthpiece (rubber mullen mouth). Couldn't find one anywhere so ended up buying another pelham and getting my husband to hacksaw the bottom ring off so I'm left with the equivalent of a hanging cheek snaffle.

I schooled Bebe in it yesterday for the first time and it was just like riding in my pelham, she was soft and relaxed in her mouth, didn't fight the bit and was responsive enough for me to ride solely from the seat and leg (when she's arguing with her mouth she tunes those aids out somewhat).

Anyway, if you want to show in dressage you could maybe try doing this with a spare pelham. I think it works with Bebe as it sits in her mouth in the same way as her pelham does, just minus the curb. I've suspected that it's the way the pelham sits in her mouth (supported off her tongue a little and more stable) rather than the presence of the curb that she likes for a while now, and it seems that I was right.

I'm keeping my pelham handy for those winter rides when she's feeling a bit fresh and I need the curb rein there as a little wake up call, but I'm going to school her in the modified bit from now on.

[nix]

Hi Amanda

They sell hard rubber mullen mouth bauchers at the bitbank ... but they're about £45! :( How difficult was it to saw off the shank/bottom ring and was it easy to tidy up any sharp edges etc? I've been wanting to try mine in that type of snaffle but have been put off because of the cost for a bit that my horse may or may not like (you can't try before you buy with rubber coated bits from the bitbank).

[Bebe]

I think I did see the bauchers on the Bitbank website but like you, was put off by the price!

I got a flexi mullen mouth pelham for £20 and Hubby said it took him about 40 mins to hacksaw the ends off as the bit was cast steel (oops!). He had to use a lubricant on it so the bit had to be washed in hibiscrub before use. He said it wasn't that hard though, just had to be patient. He used a file to smooth the ends off. Unless you look closely you'd never know it was originally a pelham, apart from the hooks for the curb chain which we haven't taken off yet.

I think the cheaper hard rubber pelhams aren't cast so would be easier to hacksaw through (but they're too thick for my mares mouth). I know my hubby said why didn't I give him my happy mouth pelham to do as that has hollow shanks, but it was more expensive so I didn't want to cut bits off and then find I needed a new one.

[galadriel]

Amanda, that's really quite clever :)

[nix]

Thanks for that Amanda, agree with Galadriel ... very clever and ideal for the budget-conscious! :)

[Bebe]

A friend suggested it so can't really take the credit for it I'm afraid. Much better than forking out £45 though.