strong horse/good bit

[benjixchorse]

I have a slight problem cross country, my horse is excellent at it but gets very strong, i have tried a rubber pelham (didnt like it) a dutch gag(became strong) and a vulcinite jointed cheltenham gag(became strong). The main problem is that he constantly leans on me. I was wondering if anyone of you have a suggestion for a good bit to use.


oh i have also tried a myler bit with a port-it looked a bit like a kimblewick and that didnt work either

should add that he is a irish creature, part irish draft, therefore quite chunky, and even though he is only 15.1, big!

[seal]

A sweet iron bit
Cherry roller.
Hanging cheek snaffle.
A half moon pelhem.
One of those should be of help :)

[benjixchorse]

thanks, i'll give them a go

[RaThEr_Be_RiDiN]

although they arent cheap, sprenger bits are fantastic. i have a sprenger vienna, and i had exactly the same problem with you. The copper creates salavisation, and the lozaringe doesnt have te nutcracker affect, yet the gag hole gives you some brakes....
http://adamshorsesupplies.com/images/store/item_1235.jpg <-- vienna

and if all else fails heres the next one up...
http://www.reitsportpfer.de/images/spenger/40608.jpg

[benjixchorse]

hurmmm, i must say they look very comfy.. but i'm not keen to buy one incase he doesnt like it, does anyone know of a place where i could rent one for a week or so?

[herbyhorse]

swear by myler combi long shank ... only thing which brings my tank back

HH

[Pink's lady]

If he's prone to leaning on the bit and not listening, and you want him to back off a little, the waterford can be useful. It's a snaffle type doesn't have nutcracker or poll action but stops them grabbing the bit and discourages them from leaning (it's uncomfy) but is only as severe as the riders hands (although that goes for every bit). I absoultly detest them when used as a three-ring snaffle (dutch gag) mouth peice, but they're effective and a plain snaffle and most horses find them acceptable.

[EventGoBragh]

Well here are some Bits I have used in the past...

Cheltenham gag- Its Nice because you have the option of 1 or two reins and doesn't make them hang/strong...

Kimblewick- I works not sure why!

Dr.Twist/twisted mouth - Its nice because it is a "strong bit" But doesn't make them resist/pull!

KK Correction- Its has a nice Snaffley look but is designed for strong/pulling horses

Waterford bit- Its Flexible to discourage leaning on the bit...

Oh have you tried putting a running martingale on him?

Hope these help!

[benjixchorse]

he has a hunter breastplate with martingale attatchment for cross country

[sidesaddlelady1]

hurmmm, i must say they look very comfy.. but i'm not keen to buy one incase he doesnt like it, does anyone know of a place where i could rent one for a week or so?

Google on "Bit banks"

[cvb]

I have a slight problem cross country, my horse is excellent at it but gets very strong, i have tried a rubber pelham (didnt like it) a dutch gag(became strong) and a vulcinite jointed cheltenham gag(became strong). The main problem is that he constantly leans on me. I was wondering if anyone of you have a suggestion for a good bit to use.


oh i have also tried a myler bit with a port-it looked a bit like a kimblewick and that didnt work either

should add that he is a irish creature, part irish draft, therefore quite chunky, and even though he is only 15.1, big!

Was the dutch gag with one rein or two ?

Also just wondering if he could be on his forehand a bit if he's powering on and chunky, as this won't help the "lean". So you may need to adjust your style as well as your bitting ?

[sidesaddlelady1]

I have a slight problem cross country, my horse is excellent at it but gets very strong, i have tried a rubber pelham (didnt like it) a dutch gag(became strong) and a vulcinite jointed cheltenham gag(became strong). The main problem is that he constantly leans on me. I was wondering if anyone of you have a suggestion for a good bit to use.


oh i have also tried a myler bit with a port-it looked a bit like a kimblewick and that didnt work either

should add that he is a irish creature, part irish draft, therefore quite chunky, and even though he is only 15.1, big!
I give this advice very warily. If you have very light hands an American gag might work for you. It is a very severe bit in the wrong hands but the WH who gets a bit carried away when hunting loves it as his hunting lady can ride on a light contact and only has to raise her hands to slow down and stop. He goes in a snaffle in all other circumstances. I repeat it should only be used by someone with good hands as you will ruin the horses mouth if you hang on to it and yank at the reins. Some ID have quite fleshy tongues and small mouths despite a large head so prefer jointed bits with the minimum of clutter in their mouths - the WH can't even do with a french link and has trouble with mullen mouth snaffles.

Don't forget the importance of schooling when it comes to control in any discipline.

[oscars_grl]

have you tried a market harborough??

https://www.hyperdrug.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MARKETH

this helped me with my horse being strong.

[KRAZYHORSES]

I hate strong bits and usualy if you have a strong horse you need to go with a softer bit rather than a stronger one...it may have been my bad experience with a strong bit ( it ruined 12 months of training) but have you tried bridging your riens? It really helps in the country!!! :D

[CurlyWurlyRach]

metal straight bar pelham - some horses dilike rubber.

I swear by my mullen mouth pelham. brings my tank of a warmblood back to earth.

[Morganna]

I had the same problem with Sam - tanked off over the cross country field with me one day during a lesson and it was incredibly difficult to stop him and my hands were aching every time I took him out there from trying to keep control. I changed his bit to a Waterford hanging cheek and we are now happily going in that one and no more running off for impromptu gallops over the fields with me. He seems quite happy in it too :D

[skye06]

Hanging cheek or a copper roller would be my suggestions.

[griffytayherb]

one of mine is in a waterford, only because he leaned on everything else, and its actually quite comfortable and mild, but is useful for pullers and leaners because it can give the stop effect well if needed.

but im really really not a fan of harsh bits, you should do some retraining. my horse was an exracer and still hasnt gotten it out of his mind, but i put him on french links and things like that often.