Which bit???!!!

[conne the mara]

I have heard of hanging bits recently. I understand that they work by exerting poll pressure.

Has anyone used these or heard of them and are they a good idea for my young connemara. It is difficult to keep him in a constant outline.

[cvb]

These are bits where the check piece of the bridle does not attach to the main bit ring, but attaches higher up. The best bet is to have a look on a web site e.g. bit bank (http://www.magnolife.com/Magnolife_Catalogue_Hanging_Cheeks_131.html) as its easier to show the explain !

Whether this is right for your horse or not is a different matter. Do you have an instructor you could ask ?

You don't say why the horse is difficult to keep in an outline.

If the problem is not in the horse's mouth e.g. it is because the horse is simply not established enough in its way of going, isn't it better to work on basic schooling and build up the horse's muscles, rather than 'lever' it into a position it is not yet ready to maintain ? Or if the horse has changed shape since you got your saddle (as young horse's do), etc etc...

Of course, if the problem is that the horse is really not comfortable in the mouth, then you have to think of something.

Why do you think that poll pressure might be the answer ?

[Sarah Rees]

Hi

I have used one with my connemara. We got on quite well with it but it is a single joint bit. I have recently read that connemara's have low palates which means that with the nutcracker action of the single joint the bit will hit the top of the mouth. Also, while observing someone else riding him recently I noticed that his mouth was open. A friend has a hanging cheek snaffle with a french link so I am going to try that instead.

The only other thing I would say about hanging cheek snaffles is that you do have to have them quite high in the mouth otherwise there will be no effect on the poll and just the check pieces of the bridle will move.

Sarah

[Speedy]

Also, please be aware that they are a more severe bit. We use them on the racehorses which are too strong in a normal snaffle, so that the jockey can hold them up a bit in their races. If your horse isn't strong then, personally, I wouldn't look at a hanging cheek (but this is just my opinion!)

[sweetbriar]

I'm very interested in Sarah R's comments about connemaras having a low palates. I too have a connemara and I ride her in a John Patterson eggbutt snaffle. Its got curved sides and its supposed not to pinch the tongue or hit them in the roof of the mouth. She seems to be OK in it.

Are there any other connemara owners out there and what do bits do you use? I would be interested to know. If the jointed bits hit them in the mouth would a mullen mouth type of bit be better?

[conne the mara]

I spoke to the Bit Bank earlier on today after CVB's suggestion. Thx!!!! The lady that runs the bank (another Heather) and I had a long chat and she says that for Connamara's the best bit is the KK ultra ( although they do cost £60). The reason being is that natives have low palates and small mouths so the nutcracker action of the snaffle can hit the roof of their mouths. Ouch!!!!!:eek:

No wonder mine dosen't like to take the contact for too long.

[charlie]

:) I use a french link snaffle on my connemara mare, she seems to like it-3 links, no nutcracker effect ...but also remember that connemaras mature late, even though they are often hunted @ 3/4 yrs in ireland, they dont mature to about 7. (mine is 7 now!)
I havnt had mine long, but she has the most tremendous jump, and finds 4ft easy! Done trailblazers, and we qualified for the regional finals, going to do some working hunter with her in the summer, like i do with my little section b pony!
I think everyone should watch carl hesters masterclass video (or whatever its called!) its very good, his horses are so supple and elevated, when you watch say jenny l-c afterwards, you see how much stiffer her horses are (sorry, just random comment)
Good luck!

[conne the mara]

Thx Charlie!!!

I've only had my Connemara for 4 mths. He was hunted as a 4 yr old in Ireland as you said. He jumps huge but unfortunatelyI don't!!!!

I'm hoping to show him M&M and hunter (no jumps) as well as dressage.


Good luck with the comps!!!!


P.S. Where did u get your pony from.

[sweetbriar]

What kind of bit are you getting and what size? I would be interested to find out how your pony goes in your new bit as I would like to get something similar.

Like Charlie, my Connemara & I do all riding club activities. We do dressaged, hunter trials, combined training & showjumping. I'm not really into showing but I am tempted this year to put her into the 'prettiest mare' classes at my local shows.

She has the most enormous jump for a little pony and its taken me a while to get used to it. She's amazing and a real trier. I love Connemaras and would, out of choice, have another one. I've become a real fan.

[conne the mara]

Me too Sweetbriar. I spoke to the breeder of Kango's sire and she thinks they should have a goverment health warning!!!!

He is now in a lightweight KK ultra training bit (looks a bit like a loose ring french link). Kango is 15.1 and is in a 5 1/2. He loves it !!! I've never felt him so light in the hand since I've had him.


Hope this helps




Mandie

[Penelope]

Do welsh ponies/tbs have low palates, I'm interested because my pony was very resistant in the eggbut snaffle and a loose ring, but when I tried a rubber mullen mouth she was really soft and didn't resist much at all! Do you think this could have been becuase she had a low palate??

[sweetbriar]

I'll have a word with Heather at Bit Bank and see what she says. My pony is in her mid to late teens and may need a similar kind of bit. She goes forward OK and chomps on the bit. I always get a lot of slobber.

Keep me informed of progress. Its so nice to have other Connemara fans out there.

[conne the mara]

The advice from the bit bank is that some native breeds, i.e. the welsh are similar to the connemara's. However the tb's are easierin the mouth. It never hurts to try something new anyway! If the bit you try from the bank dosen't help you can send it back after a 2 week trial.

I rode my youngun today properly in the new bit and he was great. I had constant outline, forwardness and he stopped dropping his right shoulder and falling in on the right rein. I starting to feel cautiously optimistic. Heatherwill tell you that I was ready to give up the other nite!!!