Change of bit for X Country

[Morganna]

Sam and I did a proper cross country lesson for the first time this morning, I have had him 2 months now and may I say I am absolutely loving him:D

He is ridden in a snaffle for everything else we do, hacking, jumping and general schooling and he goes very well in that. Today is the first time I have felt somewhat out of control with him, and he was incredibly strong, at one point he tanked off over the field with me and it took me ages to bring him back to me and bring him to a stop. My hands are still aching:o He jumped beautifully it was just between the jumps that was the problem.

My RI has recommended using a different bit for cross country and I know there are a few horses at the yard who are ridden in gag bits for only cross country as they are quite strong. I have had 4 bits recommended to me and would like to ask general opinions on these bits if thats ok. They are as follows

French link Fulmer
Dr Bristol
Waterford multi joint
Cheltenham gag

As I have never used any of the above my experience with them is zero - I have done the usual internet searches to find out about them but would really like some opinions from anyone who has or does use them.

Thanks

[KRAZYHORSES]

Have you tried bridging your reins? That helps alot, I personally don't like any of those bits, although I never ride in strong bits as I believe in schooling them out of strongness...but anyways I think the waterford or Dr bristol would be best! :D Glad you are getting along with your horse, good luck in the future!

[Libbyo]

What is bridging your reins? Its not something I have heard.
My mare is strong and I ride her in a snaffle, but when I talked to the vet she sugested a DR bristol. She said it was gentle when used, unless needed. She said it was good for soft handed riders who needed help. I did put her in a gag, I was advised to put her on the lowest rings. I did. She Reared! Too that off bloooming quick, its her only naughtynes ever! Last night a friend rode her in a french link and said she was good, so thats what Im trying next. Oh and the dentist check. He came today and did them, so who knows tomorrow!

What ever you choose, try it out somewhere you feel secure.

Libbyo :)

[palmerlover52]

Bridging the reins:: Keeping the reins fairly short, put one hand flat on the horses withers and take short sharp checks with the other rein, so when the horse pulls, he is pulling against himself, i believe, correct me if I am wrong :D

[fitz]

Bridging the reins:: Keeping the reins fairly short, put one hand flat on the horses withers and take short sharp checks with the other rein, so when the horse pulls, he is pulling against himself, i believe, correct me if I am wrong :D

nope, that doesnt sound right. Its easier to demonstrate than describe, basically you hold the reins normally, loop them and lean the reins on the horses neck, so if he pulls, he is pulling against his neck rather than on you.

from another site;

Some horses may get exciteable and strong in the gallop and in this case it can help to bridge your reins, as this gives you a secure contact. Bridging your reins means once the rein has passed between your thumb and fore finger it goes across the horse’s neck to your other hand where it is held between your thumb and forefinger. You can do this with one or both reins. Keep your hands low, resting them on the horse’s neck if you wish.

heres the link with a picture
http://www.equine-world.co.uk/riding_horses/gallop.htm

[KateWooten]

I LOVE the french-link fulmer snaffle on my half-arabs. They have little faces, and the french link conforms better to their mouths so I don't have to worry about the joint of a regular snaffle hitting them the top of their mouths. I love the fact that it is a 'loose ring' asopposed to a typical full-cheek snaffle which is fixed ring. And the 'full cheeks' are absolutely invaluable. Maybe in years to come when I haven't used the leverage they give for ages and ages, maybe I'll be ready to put a non full-cheek bit bak on my youngsters, but for the forseeable future - for me - full cheek is the business.

The reason is that if you are in a position of the horse taking off with you, getting too fast, with a full-cheek, you can always get the horse's attention by bending him. He can not brace against the pull of one rein. The full cheek on the opposite side pushes the horse's face into the bend for you - he has no choice but to bend. The bit can't pull through his mouth like a regular snaffle can. This, to me, is a critcal safety feature. I rarely have to use it. The horse knows it's there. They just get used to not bracing, and not resisting.

However, in that list you put up there the french-link fulmer is by a long way the odd man out - all the others are 'more severe' bits. The french-link is a 'softer' bit ! So, that's odd. Was it recommended by the same people who recommended the harsher bits ?

Now, some people might well look at me and my horses and say 'well, what does she know about good bits for horses that bolt and take off, she doesn't have a horse that gets strong' ... and they would have a point - my horses don't bolt. What does that tell you ?

[fitz]

agree with Kate.. The french link fulmer is useful, but definitely not a 'strong' bit.
By the way Kate, Werner loves it too! Our schooling is coming on really nicely. It seems to be fantastic for youngsters.

[KateWooten]

It is quite remarkable isn't it, Fits ... you just wouldn't think it would be really different from an ordinary full-cheek, or an ordinary french-link ... but somehow the combination of all those features just makes it a great, soft, easy to use bit... and I just never seem to have control or resistance issues when they're in it. Rosie and Joe are both making heaps of progress - I should have bought 2 !

btw - everyone else reading this - fits and I both sent off for the same bit from the same company at the same time - shop4bits.com . Because I have to have mine sent over from England, I bought 3 bits at the same time to try (cheaper to just buy them, than try them and send them back from here) .. I bought a baucher and a pelham too because I really want to learn about the action of different bits. That was the aim anyway. Since the fulmer went on, the improvement in both ponies was so enjoyable, that I haven't wanted to jeopardise that by experimenting !! Maybe over the winter I'll study the others.

[Morganna]

Thanks for your responses guys - the french link fulmer was recommended by my RI, the others were more of a "if that doesn't work try these" thing. From your comments I think I will try the fulmer first and see how we get on.:)

[KRAZYHORSES]

nope, that doesnt sound right. Its easier to demonstrate than describe, basically you hold the reins normally, loop them and lean the reins on the horses neck, so if he pulls, he is pulling against his neck rather than on you.

from another site;

Some horses may get exciteable and strong in the gallop and in this case it can help to bridge your reins, as this gives you a secure contact. Bridging your reins means once the rein has passed between your thumb and fore finger it goes across the horse’s neck to your other hand where it is held between your thumb and forefinger. You can do this with one or both reins. Keep your hands low, resting them on the horse’s neck if you wish.

heres the link with a picture
http://www.equine-world.co.uk/riding_horses/gallop.htm

thats it! lol :D

[LesleyR]

We have a similar problem with our pony. He's perfect in a snaffle for everything apart from XC (is strong SJ but manageable) - we've been advised to try him in a 3 ring gag, a bit of which personally I'm not a fan, but he was starting to get dangerous he was taking such a hold.

You do have to be a bit careful though because we tried him in a pelham and he hated it - he was that bothered about the thing in his mouth that he lost all his boldness and instead of pinging over the fences like he normally does he was chipping in short strides and getting in bother.

The lady who recommended the gag is a top event rider and she said the advantage of it XC is that between fences when you're in a forward seat and galloping it has no effect but it gives a bit of extra poll pressure when you sit up and take a pull

[Pink's lady]

Like others said, french link isn't a strong bit at all (in fact it's milder than a single jointed snaffle) BUT it has a slightly different feel so your horse might respond a bit better to it (doubt it though - he's obvioulsy being excitable and just not listening).

Something that allows you to use two reins should really help - will give you a chance to practise and school XC so he's calmer and then you can stay in a snaffle.

I'd try either a pelham or a dutch gag (three ringed snaffle) with two reins. It a bit fiddly and you'll need to practise but them you can have the curb rein loose and only pull when/if you need to. If it's too difficult with one, try roundings. Do NOT just put the rein on the lowest holes/curb.

I'd stay well clear of a Dr Bristol - they're horrible bits and cause a huge amount of pain on the tounge. However, he might get on with a waterford, which although severe, spreads the pressure better.

[Floob]

The waterford doesn't have a nutcracker action so literally wraps round the tongue and bars making it very difficult for horses to take hold of and go.
Depending on the cheekpieces used with the waterford mouthpiece it can range from relatively mild to very severe.

My horse being te complete numpty he is, is fine XC in a snaffle without martingale, but is super strong SJ and worst in dressage (fine at home)

[Morganna]

Well, I rode him cross country in a Waterford Hanging Cheek this morning and what a difference! No leaning on my hands, and much easier to slow down and turn when required. He seemed fine with it too, and wasn't at all fussed by the change. I had intended on getting him the French Fulmer but the girl at the saddlery recommended the Waterford and assured me that its not a harsh bit but would give the control I need.

Sadly it wasn't all good, as I lost a stirrup going over a jump and slid out the side door catching my arm on the saddle as I went and now I have a huge bruise:rolleyes: :o Luckily the grass provided a softish landing and it was my first fall with Sam and on cross country so at least it's over with right:D