[Meggilyn]

So I've been looking for a bit for flatting in with my strong horse. He rides in a kimberwick when jumping though he gets pretty strong. The kimberwick's the only bit that I've had brakes with. Any other bit took a little longer to bring him back (talking canter only, he's fine in walk/trot). The thing is, with the kimberwick I can't get him soft and round as it's not made for that.. when I tried with the kimberwick he resisted a lot. So I was looking at this bit:

http://www.bahrsaddlery.com/sb-produ...category=99999

It was reccomended by the people that work at Bahr's from my description. He's a leaner, so I thought the slow twist would keep him off my hands.

Is this a harsh bit? My coach told me it is because it's a Dr. Bristol, but I compared them to the french links at the store and there really wasn't any difference except the middle link was longer then the french links.

Any opinions?

[equestriandynam]

i'd go back to basics, instead of trying to find an aid with more power.
your horse isnt stopping or he is leaning, teach him how to stop and teach him how to give to the bit. address the real issue. Put him in a snaffle and if you know how then longline him.

[Meggilyn]

See that's what I'm trying to do. =)
but when I've tried going from the kimberwick right down to a snaffle, he takes advantage of it. So I'm trying to slowly downgrade..
Kimberwick, this bit, plain french link, and maybe eventually a simple snaffle.

My coach is helping me through it.. she's a new coach.. I've only had two lessons with her but we've starting planning how to go about re-training him. =)

[equestriandynam]

he takes advantage of it because he has learned not to respect it.
you can't shortcut training by using a different bit.
Once you start going down that road other problems begin to arise, harsh bits could cause pain, pain that horses run from, and rear because of.

[AllAroundRdr]

My Jumper mare flatted in a Dr. Bristol mouthpiece and went o/f in a basic pelham. She has a soft mouth (can be ridden w/t/c in a halter) but had a tendency to get forward and heavy when working. Half haults helped a TON & me not giving her something to lean on. Canter to walk/trot transitions meant a super deep seat and closing my hands.

Sorry, I'm not Anti-Dr. Bristols, I think they're benificial to pleanty of horse/rider combinations and aren't an 'easy way out' or a 'fix' for lack of training.

[Meggilyn]

I don't understand how I'm shortcutting?
I'm trying to find a solution and something to work with to help the problem. I asked if it was harsh. I'm trying to find something softer then a kimberwick.

I'm always blamed for "shortcutting" when I'm just trying to find a permanent solution. I'm working with a coach, and I've been asking for help on forums, but I always get flamed. I've even found a thread bashing me.
and I'm tired of everyone giving me a hard time. I bought the horse like this and all I'm trying to do is fix the problems he came with.

[equestriandynam]

not bashing. but i will say this, go to barnes and nobles and read the book 'teach your horse perfect manners' by kelly marks.
Its a great book, and one that i have learned many many lessons from.

[Meggilyn]

I didn't mean to say you were bashing.. sorry.
I'm just tired of all this. I've been working with him for over a year now on this problem, with many bits suggested to me.. and it's making me a little frustrated. Guess it's my fault for falling in love with a problem pony. =P

He's 14.. and his old rider (not blaming her) didn't mind the speed and let him go. He was ridden like this for 5 years and I guess something that he's so used to is hard to untrain.

[Meggilyn]

Oh and because I made it sound like I'm only looking for bits to fix this problem - I'm not.
I've worked with three different trainers/coaches, changed his feed (he was on sweetfeed???), have been doing lots of flat work.. have had many people give my ideas which were all tried.. with not much success. I'm hoping at my new barn (where I just moved) one of the coaches will be able to come up with something new.

I've had lots of reputable people on him as well and he gave them all trouble as well..

Also had some not so great (which I found out later) coaches/trainers on him.. once I found out their true colours it was bye bye!

[AllAroundRdr]

Not every horse can ride in a loose ring snaffle on the flats or over fences, some can, and that's great for that horse and rider. I feel when people put down specific bits, and someone uses anything aside from a 'basic bit', people feel the rider is looking for a simple 'fix' and is skirtting around fixing a training problem, I don't feel this is necessarily the case. Sure it happens, but I don't feel using a 3-piece mouthpiece is a fix for anything. It's slightly longer and a smidge wider than a french link, why not frown on people who are using them?

I think if the OP was looking for a "quick fix" rather than a solution she could jump to far different bits rather than the one that's been mentioned.