Bit help

[AcuAnimal]

Hey all,

I have Evented for many years, took several horses Prelim, several more Training, and one Intermediate. That was a long time ago and I am an old fat lady now without the skills to ride runny horses.

All my horses always ran in plain snaffles so I know nothing of other types of bits.

Which brings me to Cash, my 5yo TB. Went on a hunter pace and with 3 horses in front of him he would feel me lose my balance a bit over the jump and throw his head down (or up sometimes) and COMPLETELY take off with me. He has been very strong before but I’ve been able to stop him with a modified pully rein. But with those riders in front of me, even that wasn’t working.

Id really like to train him like I have my others but since I no longer have the strength to put him on his a$$ when he does this, I need suggestions on types of bits to try.

A gag and a bevel were suggested to me. But he also throws his head up. Maybe add a running martingale?

Caveat: I don’t want to have to hold two sets of reins.

Any ideas? Thanks!

[skydy]

My suggestion is moot since you don’t want two sets of reins (I thought a rubber pelham might be worth trying.) They do make pelham converters or roundings but I’ve never used them, and they might not be a wise choice to use on a 5 Y/O, since you can’t separate the curb and snaffle actions.

A running martingale sounds like a good idea. I’m sure there will be mouthpiece suggestions from people who’ve had more experience with bitting strong youngsters.

Is he obedient at home in the snaffle bridle and only pulling when he’s out cross country and excited?

[Xanthoria]

Go to the gallop track. Let him run. When he wants to slow down, keep him going. Then tell him to stop. Repeat until he thinks every time he takes off it’s going to be less fun than he thinks.*

Or just get a gag and a running and see if that works. A combination of all of that has helped me.

*He might just end up scary fit though

[TXnGA]

I just came on here to say that maybe not the type to do a hunter pace with? Some horses just don’t have the brain for other horses galloping around them/ in front of them, etc.

I could name a few of the horses I have ridden or currently have that I wouldn’t put into that situation.

As for the bits- you have a few good suggestions. And I use converters- nothing wrong with using a converter so you don’t have to have 2 reins

[AcuAnimal]

He’s done it with me when we were in the woods cantering alone but I could pulley him back then.
So an ongoing problem.

[skydy]

He’s only a 5 Y/O. I wouldn’t give up on him just yet.

Have you used a running martingale with that set up? (I think I’ve seen it done before but I can’t remember.) It sounds as if this horse could use one.

[Live_Wire]

I’m a big fan of a bevel. I keep a bridle made up with one and will rotate it in every once in a while.

[AcuAnimal]

Only out on the trail and excited. Got a 70+% at Intro PVDA dressage.

[AcuAnimal]

He definitely needs one but given he throws his head down and takes off I know that the martingale won’t do much for that unfortunately. I’m hoping I can use a stronger bit, put him on his ass a few times, then go back to something lighter once he knows I mean business. Right now he has my number which I don’t particularly care for safety wise.

[fivestrideline]

Sounds like he’s not ready to be ridden in the open in a group. You gotta fix the bolt that he does on the trail and alone before you try a hunter pace.

I’d try a Pelham with roundings, personally. Something with a curb, and I wouldn’t “school” in it after the initial few rides to test the brakes. Save it for when you need to mean it. And get the running martingale as well.

Another option is a Myler with a chain and hooks, which is a glorified Kimberwick. Last option would be a hack-a-bit, western style, but those can be big brakes and not something I’d put on a youngster if I could help it.

I don’t like bitting up, generally, but if you’ve decided to take a squirrely one on a hunter pace you need to stay in control. You definitely don’t want to be the problem horse and rider!

[Janet]

I also recommend a pelham ( a real one with an unjointed mouthpiece) with bit converters to a single rein. I used that successfully with my then 5yo who would take off with me on cross country.

[TXnGA]

@AcuAnimal

He definitely needs one but given he throws his head down and takes off I know that the martingale won’t do much for that unfortunately. I’m hoping I can use a stronger bit, put him on his ass a few times, then go back to something lighter once he knows I mean business. Right now he has my number which I don’t particularly care for safety wise.

I have a young horse that grabs the bit and roots when he is warming up or a little fresh. He has a very soft mouth otherwise.

I use a 3 ring single joint happy mouth bit on him. You can use the rein on 3 different rings depending on leverage or use a converter for two rings.

[Demerara_Stables]

@fivestrideline

Last option would be a hack-a-bit, western style, but those can be big brakes and not something I’d put on a youngster if I could help it.

This reminded me I fixed a bolter once with a mechanical hackamore and a snaffle at the same time. He was super soft until he decided he wanted to go back to the barn, then there was no stopping him. It took like 3-4 rides and that was that. The hackamore was mild - the fleece lined one with short shanks that you can get anywhere.

[Festivity]

I like a kimberwick for those that occasionally need more brakes. The curb chain means you can adjust how much correction you can get. Sometimes babies just need a reminder that brakes aren’t optional.

I like the idea of taking them out to move and letting them discover that running away is more work but I prefer an uphill sandy wash for that rather than a track. Unfortunately I no longer have access to good washes to use.

[trakehners]

I use the (double-jointed lozenge) universal gag and running martingale combo on my horse (8yo OTTB) and it’s worked very well for him so far. He’s quite soft in the mouth (I flat him in a double-jointed lozenge baucher) but when he gets it in his head that he wants to grab and hang it can be very hard to convince him otherwise.

The universal made it so that when he’s participating like a grownup all I really have to do is think half-halt or transition or stop and he’ll do it (I know it’s because my body prepares for the ask and he’s responding to that, but I don’t have to actively engage my hands at all). When he’s hanging on me I can close my fingers and more actively engage the bit and it gets a near-immediate response from him without me having to really pull.

He was not happy when he first figured out that he couldn’t comfortably hang on me with this bit and did threaten to break my nose a few times (which resulted in the introduction of the martingale) but now that he understands it and is way stronger in his hind end/topline he pretty much lives in his happy place between the two and rarely needs to actively engage either one. I’m hoping we’ll be able to ditch the martingale next year (and eventually back down the bit some) since he’s so much better now but I’m not trying that til it’s spring and we’re having regular jumping lessons again. I need all the help I can get with the spicy child over the winter, lol.

[endlessclimb]

While I’m not against a bigger bit, especially when there’s other horses around, I just want to say - this is something you have to practice to get better at. It’s not a matter of sitting him on his butt a few times and calling it good.

Find yourself an open field. Open him up. 10 strides, shut him down. Over, and over, and over, and over again. Get him used to feeling that blood and then flipping the switch.