My giant baby jumper (now eight) has been in a two ring elevator with french link mouthpiece (ridden with two reins) for about a year. I am still getting too much curling up behind the bit on occasion and sometimes need more stopping power (as in he leans through my hands and keeps cantering). He hacks at home in a french link snaffle, but when he gets fresh and leans through my hand, I am still not properly bitted. Any suggestions on what to try while we continue to build balance and control from the hind end. I think he will end up back in the snaffle once the process is complete, but right now, I need to be able to remind him of his obligation to sit down and whoa when asked.
I have large wb as well. I use 3 ring and put a VERY loose curb chain on
I have large wb as well. I use 3 ring and put a VERY loose curb chain on. It’s just enough to get him back if he’s leaning through my hand too much. Mine has very sentive mouth so he won’t tolerate any kind of harsh bit
Not everyone is a fan, but I quite like double-twisted wires. I find that most horses curl in them less than something with leverage. My lease horse is a big, super-strong TB and I really like a double-twisted wire full cheek on him over fences. He was blowing through my hand and curling in the two ring and did the same thing in the pelham with his owner. He flats in a Stubben Anatomical D ring and he goes quite well in that too, but its definitely a lot less bit than the double-twister wire!
1 Like
I don’t think a double-twisted wire is what I am after for this horse.
Try something with fixed rings, like a pelham or a butterfly. Sometimes the sliding action in the elevator makes it easy for the horse to blow through you.
I used a traditional gag with 2 reins on my big, heavy leaning 17.1 TB. He preferred a french link, so I changed to a 3 ring which I had in that mouthpiece. This didn’t do much for the hanging, and with continued flatwork I now have him in a full cheek Waterford. He can’t lean as much, but the bit is no miracle; I ride lots and lots of transitions which have helped his response to my half halts on course.
1 Like
I appreciate a Segunda for heavy horses, but only with educated hands and only if you tend to not over USE the bit. It always helped me but can be a very severe bit in the wrong hands.
Waterford can be a great option too. I will also second a Pelham/something with fixed rings. You may want to try the Beval snaffle
Would also suggest trying a traditional sliding gag, with 2 reins, simple plain snaffle mouthpiece or similar. I like the ones with thinner cord running through the bit rings rather than the thicker leather straps. Less resistance, so quicker to release the pressure once the horse gives.
What about a bit with nose pressure, like the Myler combination bits, or Happy Mouth hackamore bits? Or a kensington noseband?
My big strong mare who is also very sensitive flats in a double jointed loose ring snaffle. For jumping I need more. I tried a regular elevator bit and it gave me more control but really made her anxious. I ended up buying a Neue Schule Waterford Universal. Apparently it is popular with eventers. It has made an amazing difference. Highly recommend! I started off using the lower ring, but as she has developed I’ve moved up to the big ring and it’s perfect. I have not used it with a curb chain so can’t comment on that. https://nsbits.com/product/waterford-universal/
