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View Full Version : Bit suggestions please!

Laura+Phantom
2nd Nov 2006, 05:21 PM
As some of you may know, I have a 13.3hh connemara mare on loan called Saphy. She's absolutely fab, but as well as wanting to jump her this winter I want to have a go at dressage.

I want a dressage legal bit that will help her soften..

Any suggestions?
Mehitabel
2nd Nov 2006, 05:39 PM
chances are she is used to relying on being held in with the curb of the pelham and double and is not really 'in an outline' in those bits.

the bit has little to do with her softening and working correctly, other than being physically comfy in her mouth. if she is used to being asked to tuck her nose in with curb and poll pressure she will be confused at being asked for omthe leg and seat and with a bit that doesn't have those specific 'nose in' actions.
she is used to, when the bit is used, feeling it on her curb groove, poll and mouth - so she will be a bit 'at sea' when it suddenly acts only on the mouth. keep safe but keep trying, she will get used to it.
Laura+Phantom
2nd Nov 2006, 05:45 PM
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Mehitabel
2nd Nov 2006, 05:51 PM
she is very pretty! and in the rider's defence, that is a rotten phase of the stride for photos, they always look on the forehand then!
the one you're using is as good as any - suitable for the pony mouth conformation and no 'extra' actins.

that they couldn't get her into an outline in a snaffle is a dead giveaway though - the outline should come from the leg, not the bit, so adding a curb should be for refinement of what is already there, not a winch the nose in becaus i can't get it in a snaffle.
Laura+Phantom
2nd Nov 2006, 05:56 PM
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coss
2nd Nov 2006, 07:03 PM
a hanging cheek is the closest bit i can think of to a pelham as out of all the snaffles it does have poll pressure just not as much as a pelham. I know a horse that goes brilliantly in a pelham but hates a hanging cheek though (he is 17hh and very powerful, not strong in the hand, pelham just helps to hold him together) Another bit to try would be a loose ring fulmer as this will give her something on both side of the head to make her feel more supported and the loose ring will give her refined messages from the reins.
Ask your RI, she should be able to give you a good idea about what bit to use.
Laura+Phantom
2nd Nov 2006, 09:44 PM
Ok thanks :)