Bitting Question

[Wellspotted]

I have recently started riding a retired TB field hunter. We are doing ring work, and some trail riding. In the ring, on the flat and a little (very little) low jumping, he is just fine in a snaffle. His current bit is a plain western-type single-jointed ring snaffle.
Out on the trails, however, I think he needs a stronger bit. He can be quite strong cantering, wants to be at the head of the group.
I have no way to contact his former hunting owers to ask what they hunted him in.
The barn has a spare slow-twist snaffle I could try.
I am thinking more pelham or kimberwick or uxeter kimberwick, but I don’t know if he has ever worn a leverage bit and curb chain. I am also thinking 2- or 3-ring elevator bit.
This–
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product…&ids=729477099
–because an eventing friend of mine and her horse did well in that when they did cross country.

So, what do you COTHers recommend? If a pelham or kimberwick, are they effective without a curb chain?

Or is it just me, not the horse?

This is a good, willing, well-mannered 17yo hunter. When I first had his teeth floated the vet said they were in pretty bad shape; we are now getting that issue resolved.

[Romany]

Lucky you to get such a cool horse!

Every horse is different, obviously, but it’s surprising how many seem to go happily with good manners in the hunt field in a short shanked rubber pelham, mullen mouth, chain set at wherever works best, with either two pairs of reins, or one pair and roundings.

I wouldn’t use a pelham without a chain, though, because there’s too much for a fussy lip to play with and hook on teeth; instant drama llama. :lol:

I find they sometimes resort to a duck and dive with gags and elevators. I don’t like a slow-twist or a Dr Bristol, etc, because they’re fairly harsh in the mouth even when not being applied, if that makes sense.

But like I say, every horse is different, so keep borrowing until you find something you’re both happy and safe with.

If you knew what hunt he was ridden with, maybe try using google to search for images of the hunt, and spot what he was ridden in at the time?

[Beverley]

My tb thought he was Secretariat, but was nevertheless fine for hunting, whether whipping in or field, with just his plain ol’ eggbutt snaffle and a standing martingale. I did loan him to a friend for a week of hunting once, when I was riding my qh- and she (experienced at galloping tbs on the track, by the way) really wanted to go to a kimberwick after the first day, so I made the switch for her, and they were both happy.

I’ve had others who just routinely hunted in pelhams and one who went better in an elevator type. I would not bother to try any type of curb bit without the chain. For sure play with what you are thinking about on the trails before you hunt to get a good feel for what you and the horse are most comfortable with.

[Bogie]

I think you need a bit of experimentation. Some horses seem to go better in a bit with a curb than with an elevator. Mine is one. My loose ring snaffle wasn’t enough for him this year. I switched him to a Kimberwicke that has a quarter moon mouth (double jointed and more room for his tongue) and he is happy as can be.

I tried a two ring elevator on him and he hated it.

I usually try a bit a day or two before a hunt so I can see how my horse gallops and jumps in it. Nothing replicates the actual experience of hunting but I get a clue as to whether it will be a bust.