Bit advice

[Lrs2015]

I have a spicy jumper that tends to overflex and and get behind the bridle and head drops. I’ve tried just regular slow twist but I have zero control or brakes. But anything with too much leverage gets him too behind the bridle. What is the happy medium?

Ps: he’s had teeth done and vet work, chiro, massage etc

Thanks

[Scribbler]

@Lrs2015

I have a spicy jumper that tends to overflex and and get behind the bridle and head drops. I’ve tried just regular slow twist but I have zero control or brakes. But anything with too much leverage gets him too behind the bridle. What is the happy medium?

Ps: he’s had teeth done and vet work, chiro, massage etc

Thanks

I feel like this question has come up several times in recent days.

The answer is, fix your training holes, go back to basics, fix the anxious rushing over fences. No.bot will do the job for you. As you’ve discovered.

Bitting Advice

Seeking bit ideas! I’ve been riding an OTTB who is still quite green. He loves job, just a bit too much. We are trying to do hunters, but he has a tendency to pull against the hand and speed up to jumps. I try my best to half halt him to slow him down, but he still gets away from my hand and goes too fast. He tends to avoid the bit by tossing his head and opening his mouth. He’s currently in a segunda d ring, but I don’t think he likes it very much. I’ve tried a Waterford but it didn’t give me e…

[akhunterrider]

I am an amateur rider, not a trainer, but I’ve been riding a long time on a lot of different horses. My personal philosophy is less is more when it comes to bits. I like to use the softest bit I can, while still having control. My current ride is quirky. He’s either really good, a little up or borderline unrideable. I flat him in one bit (slow twist d ring or Mikmar cupreon d ring), lesson in a different bit (twisted copper dr. bristol Full cheek) and show in a different bit (sprenger pelham). Could I ride him in the pelham all the time? Yesm but 1) I prefer to not ride with 2 reins. 2) I prefer to give him the benefit of the doubt when working on flat work. 3) he’d get pissy if only ridden in that bit. If you have to ride in more bit, use that when jumping, or doing whatever it is that causes him to have less brakes. As far as type of bit, I don’t know what you’ve tried and what the horse likes and doesn’t like. My own TB went well in a 2 ring happy mouth bit. It didn’t upset him and I still had brakes. Since it is designed to ride with 2 reins, you can alternate between using the snaffle rein and using the curb rein when needed. I would not personally use anything with a curb chain right now until you better establish some basics. I would suggest a waterford since it can help with those that lean, but it’s not going to help if he gets behind the bit. Alternatively, you could go to something simple like a KK loose ring and work on learning better basics. What are your goals with the horse and where are him/you at in your training?

[PNWjumper]

Of course the answer is more training ultimately. But in the meantime a bit that actually works is a miracle device, so yes, find a bit he likes AND that gives you control!

With that issue I’ve had lots of luck with Mylers (hunter gags) where you can add a curb chain for a bit “more”. And gag bits in general. Find a mouthpiece you like and then try a gag version of it. I showed my TB in the big jumpers in a slow twist gag for years.

Another one that was an absolute miracle bit for one of my mares is a myler 3-ring combination bit with a nose rope and curb strap. My mare loves to curl behind the bit with too much, but the combination effect seems to keep her happy. But she’s super peculiar, and that bit has not been the same miracle on any of my other horses.