[ilovemyquarter]

For all you Hunters out there, maybe you can give me some advice. I am trying to see what kind of bit I should use to keep the Hunter that I ride under controll while we jump lines. He gets jump happy and decides to gallop the line instead of canter. Then after the 2 jumps takes of bucking and then trys to rear. So maybe some bit can help me.

[JBandRio]

Not sure why the 2 threads, but I'll post here too

I voted "other" - D ring KK Ultra snaffle with a bean. About as mild as you can get and still use a bit.

The problems you are having are some fairly major training issues - issues that are not going to be fixed with any bit

[WHOA!!]

i use a loose ring french link snaffle on my 5yo welsh section d.

[i_luv_moth]

In Show Hunter, i use a D-Ring Copper Roller.

Dale Pederson told me he likes to see D-Rings in the hunter ring

[loosie]

Hunting should not be treated any differently from any other 'brand' of riding in this respect. This is a training/fear/pain issue.

Firstly get the horse checked out physically - saddle fit, back/neck issues, teeth, feet, etc. Make sure there is no underlying problem that is an initial or part cause.

Go back to your basic training with him. What's he like on the ground generally? Over jumps & obstacles? How much does he enjoy his 'work'? How much does he really understand? How does he go being ridden otherwise, in other situations & environments? These are some questions that will help get you started on learning what you need to do/do more of/do better. You might also take a look at some articles of Andrew McLean, behaviourist and trainer at aebc.com.au which will help you find the answers.

Also remember that all bits cause discomfort at least. If he is not trained or ridden wel enough to be abled to avoid the pain of pressure on the bit, he will understandably become agitated and will also come to fear and react to the behaviours(jumping) associated with this.

Therefore, you might want to look at alternatives to a bit, such as www.bitlessbridle.com - and read the articles there on the effects of bits. If you choose to keep riding with a bit, choose the lesser of evils, which is an unjointed, unshanked bit and look to your training and riding for answers to further problems.

[realitycheck]

loosie, walking into the hunter ring with a bitless bridle could very well get you eliminated for "unconventional tack".

For what it's worth, I agree very strongly with JBandRio - this is not an issue that will be fixed by a bit. However, I will answer your question. Dee rings and full cheeks are the most appropriate in the hunter ring, or a short shanked pelham - not a kimberwicke - if you need something with a chain. As far as mouthpieces go, you see a wide variety, anywhere from a rubber dee to a twisted wire. I've got 3 hunters who all show in D rings; one in a rubber dee, one in a waterford dee, and one in a slow twist dee. At home they all hack and do most of their jumping in loose ring snaffles.

[ilovemyquarter]

The bridle that Loosie showed actually made sense. Because if he does that you could actually yank his head off to where he can't take the preasure. I have been told that nose preasure is more severe than having a bit. Although I think that I might actually buy that bridle for my horse.

He usually has great flat work, but one time when I asked him to canter he took off in a gallop. Well I think that was because his stall mate Jasper was over on the other end of the arena. After maybe like 3 gallop strides I got him back and then he was fine after that.

He is also great with bounce jumps. One jump was like 2 feet and then the other one was just a small crossrail. He's fin over those except he doesn't do lines very well. I don't get this horse but the owners and the ranch that I ride at want me and my trainer to figure him out.

But that is one thing that my trainer told me. He might actually be in some pain. The bit that I use, we think is too small for him and we think that it is pinching him, but the owners told my trainer and I that the bit fits him perfect.

ugghhhh. What do I do?????I would much rather buy my own jumper but I want one that is cheap in money. Does any one know of any hunters that are for sale that are in southern California?????

[Friesiangirl]

french link snaffle, i use it for all my english work

[Lucky Duck]

I've got my QH mare in a 5" full cheek snaffle with a roller.

She was a bucker and bolter when I bought her, but with some time, training and patience we worked through her issues. During that time I also worked her in an eggbutt snaffle.

[Friesiangirl]

Originally Posted by ilovemyquarter

For all you Hunters out there, maybe you can give me some advice. I am trying to see what kind of bit I should use to keep the Hunter that I ride under controll while we jump lines. He gets jump happy and decides to gallop the line instead of canter. Then after the 2 jumps takes of bucking and then trys to rear. So maybe some bit can help me.

sorry if this comes out rude, but...

WRONG. A bit is an aid, not a device. IT cannot really teach a horse to do something, it doesn't have a brain. You do, you have to teach it, not the bit. My mare is in one of the most "gentalist", bits, the french link snaffle. Before we bolted and reared, but we don't do that anymore, bits don't do anything, but training does.