bit,breaks,leaning problem

[BECKS29]

Hi, has anyone got any advice on what bit I should use:
When I hack out in a group and I know we are going across fields I have my mare in a 3 ring gag otherwise I have no breaks, but what I’m finding is she keeps dropping her head that low she almost has her nose on the floor when cantering/galloping which is a bit scary, if I try to get her head up she pulls harder and lower pulling me forward, I’m trying to keep my heals down to keep some strength but she is just stronger, I know the gag is putting pressure on her poll so her head should drop but not that far surely, I have also tried just giving my reins away so not to hold on but she still drops her head, any suggestions that will give me breaks but keep her head up a bit would be greatly appreciated

Thanks
:-)

[Ginger Thing]

Sorry can't help you but am interested in the replies you get as one of mine is the same. He really tries to pull me out of the saddle and there's nothing in front of you which is a bit disconcerting! He's in a French link and is absolutely fine (in fact quite lazy!) when schooling,even jumping and xc, its only fast work in company that winds him up.

Same as yours, if I pull, he pulls, but if I drop the contact his head disappears!

OH rode him yesterday with 3 others and said he was very excited (horse, not OH ;) ) and said he made sure he sat up instead of going into half seat, and kept his hands very high, using alternate reins which helped him a lot (he normally does 'xc' seat, and carries his hands low).

[jovi_y2k2]

a waterford or a cherry roller are good for horses that lean and take hold as they move around in the mouth making it very hard for them to grab a hold

[Alex T]

my boy used to do this in gag bits he just hated the action!actualy he does it in snaffles too !!iv tried him in cherry rollers as this is what his old owners rode him in but i still found him strong!hes in a hard rubber pelham now he seems to like it and we deffinatly dont get head down at flat out gallop!possibly try a kimblewick as most poeple dont like pelhams as they are labled strong and idealy you need double reins! a kimblewick is a single rein bit and is bout level in strength as a dutch gag but works on different areas!depends on how strong your horse is my boy was still strong in a kimblewick but every horse is different!!

[clipa clopa]

Thin Straight bar snaffle - they are fantastic :)

[cvb]

becks, do you use the 3 ring gag with one rein or two ?

My cob, before he retired, was in a bit like that for pleasure rides. The one time I took him by himself (as my friend's horse was lame at the last minute) was a nightmare because he just wanted to catch up with the horse in front... even when he caught them, it was the *next* one he then wanted to catch :rolleyes: and in the 3 ring gag he just curled up on me :(

First answer was never to take him by himself again.

But I think the 3ring gag can ask too much in terms of poll pressure... so the reaction you are seeing could be down to that.

Riding with 2 reins does allow you more finesse.

if I try to get her head up she pulls harder and lower pulling me forward, I’m trying to keep my heals down to keep some strength but she is just stronger

its not stronger you need to be, its SMARTER ;)

(OMG I sound like Yoda !)

Lots of half halts and releases.
Don't get into a pulling game, the horse will *always* win...