what bit would you recommend

[pineapple]

my friends having some trouble with her 5 year old 14.2hh arabx. he was broken in very young(2 years old we think) and then just turned out in the field for a few years, now hes being brought back into work. her main problem is he wont accept a contact in any way. if you take up even the very lightest contact he tosses his head really badly and jogs etc. he is in a jointed snaffle at the moment.

also when she hacks him out and canter he runs off and when she takes up a contact to try and slow him he panics and bucks... do you think she should try a bitless bridle?

[Daffy Dilly]

I'd try an EDT first, and then get his back/tack checked. I'd also suggest she get a RI to assess her, as she may inadvertantly be doing something he doesn't like, even if she is riding quietly.

If he isn't sore, I wonder if he has been forced into an outline at some point. I would be inclined to take it really really slowly. Right back to basics. Starting with letting him get used to a bit in his stable. It can be difficult to find the one he likes, but it would be worth exploring the different avenues.

[Ollie Bears mum]

I personally think your friend should go back to basics and lunge him, when he is warmed up attatch (grr this dyslexia) side reins at 1st loosely and shorten them bit by bit until a slight contact is made, (never strap a horses head in), he has probably forgotten all that he was taught in the beginning.

[pineapple]

he had his wolf teeth removed and the others rasped about 6 weeks ago.his saddle was made to fit him.

i like the idea with gradually adjusting the side reins to create a contact. and yes i have told her that aRI would help.... but she doesnt seem to keen on the idea... i dont know why!!

i think the main problem is that we dont know much about what happened to him before... and i think my friends morale is starting to drop as she thinks he can never be fixed because hes too damaged. hes really good in other ways though. i hope we can do something!

[coss]

the main thing with arabs is that they tend to have low roofs and most don't got well in a single jointed snaffle. it would probably be worth trying a double jointed snaffle. just because he runs off doesn't necessarily mean he needs a stronger bit (not that i've seen anyone say that ) and it might be worth trying something with more mobility to help create a more mobile contact (although the contact should remain consistent if that makes sense)

[sheryl]

I would start from the beginning, as others have said. It will help if he's taught voice commands too. I wouldn't canter at all, until everything else is established. May be asking for trouble.

As a 2 year, the whole ordeal of being backed and started must have been an unsavoury experience. 2 yr olds have the attention span of a small child. Its just too much mentally and physically. Your friend will need to take it very slowly, and make it a much nicer experience for him this time, or she could put him off for good.

As for the bit, I've heard alot of good about french links. Most horses seem to go well in them. Or the lozenge type. That way, it doesn't have the strong nutcracker action that a single jointed bit has. I'd also recommend the full cheek sides too, to help with steering

[MelanieD]

Has he ever been taught properly about giving to pressure generally and giving to pressure from the bit? Having teeth done and figuring out what kind of bit suits the shape of his mouth is a good plan but also re-do the whole mouthing process to make sure he understands what the bit is.

A bitless bridle might be a good idea for a while if he reacts well to pressure from a headcollar. Once he's learnt about being ridden in a bitless he might get the idea of the same thing with a bit more easily.