Which bit..

fortyfootfred · 06-27-2008, 03:33 PM

1. Get yourself about a foot of thin rope (about 1/4" or something thinnner if you like). After bridling your horse as usual with the snaffle, tie one end of the rope the front of each bit ring so that the rope is snug but not cutting in or sliding down. Make sure that the knots are secure then snip off any loose ends.
2. Lots of transitions. Tons. Use verbal cues so that you two have even more time to prepare and balance for the next gait.

If she gets heavy or leans a lot on your hands, roll those shoulders back, take a deep breath (stay super-calm), and with your hands a couple inches higher than normal bring her back to a walk and then halt. Back her two or three steps to bring her back to a balanced and then walk on and back to what ever you were doing.
I like the rope because it teaches the horse to respect the rein aids without depending on a stronger bit.

Showjumping Hol · 06-28-2008, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fortyfootfred

1. Get yourself about a foot of thin rope (about 1/4" or something thinnner if you like). After bridling your horse as usual with the snaffle, tie one end of the rope the front of each bit ring so that the rope is snug but not cutting in or sliding down. Make sure that the knots are secure then snip off any loose ends.
2. Lots of transitions. Tons. Use verbal cues so that you two have even more time to prepare and balance for the next gait.

If she gets heavy or leans a lot on your hands, roll those shoulders back, take a deep breath (stay super-calm), and with your hands a couple inches higher than normal bring her back to a walk and then halt. Back her two or three steps to bring her back to a balanced and then walk on and back to what ever you were doing.
I like the rope because it teaches the horse to respect the rein aids without depending on a stronger bit.

Thank you i will try that!

satellite9 · 06-28-2008, 04:22 AM

Hi- sometimes it's not the softness or harshness of the bit, it's the horse or pony's ability to brace the bit in their mouth in a way that pulling has no affect on them and they can take off... I would try a drop nose band before using a harsher bit- see if that works. If you're not familiar with what that is, it's a thin strap you attach at the top of the noseband, it wraps around their mouth below the bit and sort of holds the mouth closed, it makes it difficult for them to lock the bit in their teeth "softens" the jaw... good luck

Chester · 06-28-2008, 04:23 AM

Can I ask for photos of you riding/jumping before making any bit suggestions.

luvs2ride79 · 06-28-2008, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satellite9

Hi- sometimes it's not the softness or harshness of the bit, it's the horse or pony's ability to brace the bit in their mouth in a way that pulling has no affect on them and they can take off... I would try a drop nose band before using a harsher bit- see if that works. If you're not familiar with what that is, it's a thin strap you attach at the top of the noseband, it wraps around their mouth below the bit and sort of holds the mouth closed, it makes it difficult for them to lock the bit in their teeth "softens" the jaw... good luck

That's a flash caveson.

A drop caveson looks like this:

Showjumping Hol · 06-28-2008, 11:36 AM

Thanks everyone. I asked my friend if I could borrow one of her bits to try out on Ruby for a couple of days. She kindly gave me her hanging cheek snaffle

So I tried her with it today in the menarge, and i must admit - it made a HUGE difference. She didn't pull as much and she is much better when she jumps aswell. Tomorrow i'm going on a nice long hack to country park. Hope she will be better than normal

Showjumping Hol · 06-28-2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satellite9

Hi- sometimes it's not the softness or harshness of the bit, it's the horse or pony's ability to brace the bit in their mouth in a way that pulling has no affect on them and they can take off... I would try a drop nose band before using a harsher bit- see if that works. If you're not familiar with what that is, it's a thin strap you attach at the top of the noseband, it wraps around their mouth below the bit and sort of holds the mouth closed, it makes it difficult for them to lock the bit in their teeth "softens" the jaw... good luck

I was looking at them in a catalogue today. Looked pretty good tbh

06-28-2008, 04:22 AM	#13
satellite9 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3	not the bit? Hi- sometimes it's not the softness or harshness of the bit, it's the horse or pony's ability to brace the bit in their mouth in a way that pulling has no affect on them and they can take off... I would try a drop nose band before using a harsher bit- see if that works. If you're not familiar with what that is, it's a thin strap you attach at the top of the noseband, it wraps around their mouth below the bit and sort of holds the mouth closed, it makes it difficult for them to lock the bit in their teeth "softens" the jaw... good luck

06-28-2008, 04:23 AM	#14
Chester Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: inland of the coral sea Posts: 9,204 Images: 731	Can I ask for photos of you riding/jumping before making any bit suggestions. __________________ Aussie Aussie Aussie OI OI OI "We're all members of the outback club, we don't back down and we don't give up" Lee Kernaghan "Good friends are worth more than money any day" Adam Brand Is it full moon time again? Did the cereal truck overturn and fruitloops got spilt?

06-28-2008, 11:36 AM	#16
Showjumping Hol Full Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: England Posts: 156 Images: 3	Thanks everyone. I asked my friend if I could borrow one of her bits to try out on Ruby for a couple of days. She kindly gave me her hanging cheek snaffle So I tried her with it today in the menarge, and i must admit - it made a HUGE difference. She didn't pull as much and she is much better when she jumps aswell. Tomorrow i'm going on a nice long hack to country park. Hope she will be better than normal __________________ *It's like I waited my whOle life* *For this One night.*

06-27-2008, 03:33 PM	#11
fortyfootfred Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 12 Images: 9	1. Get yourself about a foot of thin rope (about 1/4" or something thinnner if you like). After bridling your horse as usual with the snaffle, tie one end of the rope the front of each bit ring so that the rope is snug but not cutting in or sliding down. Make sure that the knots are secure then snip off any loose ends. 2. Lots of transitions. Tons. Use verbal cues so that you two have even more time to prepare and balance for the next gait. If she gets heavy or leans a lot on your hands, roll those shoulders back, take a deep breath (stay super-calm), and with your hands a couple inches higher than normal bring her back to a walk and then halt. Back her two or three steps to bring her back to a balanced and then walk on and back to what ever you were doing. I like the rope because it teaches the horse to respect the rein aids without depending on a stronger bit.