Yet more bitting advice needed (sorry!)

[Sooty]

Hi
YO has been doing such a fantastic job of getting Luca fit that she said today that she needs to change his bit NOW before he tanks off with her :p

He's happiest following other horses, and given the choice will tuck in behind the others and not want to tank off at all (relief for me, as that's how I ride him!) but she is trying to teach him to lead in order to build up his confidence, and it's when he's in front and 'looking after the rest of the herd' that he gets rather strong both in trot and canter.

At the moment he's in a snaffle. She's got her ex-racehorse (who she says is about the same strength) in a cherry-roller and has suggested trying Luca in one of these. Someone else has suggested a waterford.

So, which should I try? How do their actions differ and which is the strongest (I want to go for the mildest of the two)

thanks in advance for any advice!

[tasha]

I'd go for the Waterford then! It looks really harsh but is actually quite gentle as it allows lots of room for the tongue. The links stop the horse grabbing hold of the mouthpiece and are good for brakes. I find horses either love it or hate it.

The cherry roller can stop them grabbing hold of the bit but I have yet to find them useful. What is he ridden in at the moment?

[Sooty]

Thanks Tasha. At the moment he's in a loose ring french link snaffle, which he seems fairly comfortable in - but YO thinks he needs something more and I trust her judgement on this (she's a very experienced endurance rider and arab racer)

[tasha]

I'd go with the Waterford still. Have you had a look in his mouth? What is his palate and tongue size like?

[Sooty]

sort of average really - in fact I asked the dentist what he thought last time he did Luca's teeth and his answer was - average

[tasha]

Fair enough!

[Sooty]

will def try the waterford then. Thanks again for the advice!