Bit for strong horse

[equirific]

I have been riding a horse at my barn who is extremely strong, and is quite unrideable, and difficult to stop. My coach helped me find a bit that worked, and it happened to be a Mullen mouth pelham. however the horse leans and braces on the bit. On the flat, which is a huge part of his training, he leans of the bit and essentially I end up holding his head up. His old rider jumped in in a Mikmar, but I am extremely opposed to using one and will not even consider using one on him. He is extremely athletic and forgiving and it is not fair to use that on him. I also would like to avoid high ports because he has a smaller mouth. Any suggestions I should try on him? Thank you in advance 🧡

[Amy3996]

I use a French link Bevel bit for XC and hunter paces. My horse gets quite hot and strong galloping in the open/jumping. I found the “lift” of the bit as the ring piece rotates helps to keep him from leaning on my hands or running through my aids when he gets excited. I also like the flexibility to move the reins back to the snaffle position if we’re flatting or he’s going softly. Gives me the option of a stronger bit if I need it without being stuck swapping bits on or off my bridle all the time.

[Toblersmom]

From what you are describing (the horse leans and you are “holding his head up” while working on the flat at home) everybody needs a revisit on the basic principles of training more than different tack. Those things should not be happening any more than you should need to apply spur (or really anything more than a light supportive leg once you have the rate you want) with every stride to keep the horse moving.

[hunterrider33]

Extremely heavy like that can sometimes be due to them needing maintenance - either teeth done or something hind end like hocks - when my horse needs his hocks done he leans so hard on one rein!

Id try a 2 ring French link of some sort… do lots of transitions… lots of making him use his hind end

[Raincityrider]

Are you the only person riding this horse or is he used for lessons? It may be difficult to correct if he is getting an inconsistent ride or is unfit. I have found the only way to stop a horse from leaning on your hands (because eventually they will lean on whatever bit you put in their mouth to your mutual detriment) is to never give them the option. When he becomes heavy drop the contact and send him straight and forward and ask him to carry himself. Every time the horse expects you to hold him up the support should disappear. With consistent enforcement most horses will start to realize the bit is not a reliable head rest and will become more honest in the contact. I have also found incorporating a lot of shoulder in and many transitions to be helpful for leaners. Keep him thinking he should be paying attention to this crazy lady who wants to halt, rein back, canter, halt, trot instead of taking a nap on your hands. The work also has the added bonus of strengthening the horses ability to carry himself. Getting into a bigger bit war won’t solve your problem long term. The horses development will be limited and one day you’ll realize you have half a bicycle in his mouth and he is still dragging you around. Good luck! It’s a pretty satisfying day when you realize your leaner has settled on a nice contact…so worth the effort.

[Denali6298]

Stop holding him up

[222orchids]

I have the same horse. She can (but does not always) lean on me like a 5th leg. Fine on the flatwork, but when she sees a jump it’s like she’s on crack. She grabs the bit and is very difficult to slow down/stop. I also won’t use a Mikmar or a Segunda or other ported bit. Currently in a 3-pc Stübben Pelham and it’s been the best so far. It’s roughly $100 so see if you can try before you buy, if you know someone with it or something similar.

[firefoot]

I agree with the suggestions to pay attention to the basics and not let the horse hang on you. Lots of transitions, lateral work, getting him off the forehand, getting him listening to you, etc. But if other people are riding this horse, it will be hard to undo bad rides. And if he’s got some pain somewhere, that can also be a factor. So, talk to your coach/owner about other issues that might be affecting how the horse is going.

That said, I’ve had good luck with the Myler combination bit. Considering he rode in a Mikmar, I guess you guys do jumpers so this bit could work for you. The ported Mylers are not ports in the traditional sense of hitting the horse in the palate. They are ported and set forward for tongue relief. There are also different levels of ports for them. The combination bit uses other pressure points on the head before using significant pressure in the mouth, so it might help a hard-mouthed horse listen better and he would probably be less likely to hang on it. I used to think the Mylers were really gimmicky, and certainly not all horses like them, but I have a hot horse who gets strong but doesn’t need a stronger bit and have found the Myler to be a really nice fit for him. He goes in the MB33 with hooks (not the combo). He enjoys the tongue relief and I enjoy still being able to have control.

[NancyM]

An old fashioned pulley gag snaffle, with two reins, one regular snaffle rein, one pulley rein. Whatever type of mouthpiece he prefers. This bit acts as a regular snaffle, until he goes to pull on you. When he does that, the pulley comes into effect, and turns the bit and raises the bit in his mouth, keeping the pressure OFF the bars of the mouth, and onto the corners of the mouth instead. To pull on you, he needs to get the pressure onto his bars, he can’t pull from the corners, it doesn’t work for him. You do nothing different, just ride with a regular soft hand. He tries a couple of times to brace on your hand and tow, but things don’t work like they used to. So he doesn’t do that any more. You do NOTHING different, just ride, soft and forward. Once he is out of the habit of pulling/towing you, and learns to carry himself without balancing on your hand, the pulley gag can often be retired, and go back to a regular snaffle.

[PNWjumper]

OP - I’m just curious why would you “never consider using” a Mikmar? They are not harsh, generally speaking, and in many cases softer to the horse than many alternatives. I had a super sensitive horse years ago who I ended up buying a Mikmar for because it was literally the ONLY bit (out of at least 50 that I tried) he was ever happy in.

I would understand the sentiment about a segunda (many of which are extremely severe), but a Mikmar? Really? I have a hard time taking you seriously with a statement like that which seems to imply that you are extremely uneducated about bits and how they work. My only suggestion to you is that I would rely heavily upon your instructor to guide you assuming they know the horse and know you better than any of us here.

FTR - I don’t think Mikmars are the end all be all, and generally in a case like this I would try a few different gag bits as NancyM suggested. Or possible a slight tweak to a waterford pelham or jointed pelham might be enough of a change from the mullen mouth as well. But I can say that I consider my pelhams to be at least equally as “harsh” as my Mikmar.