Input on bitting?

[Corky]

[QUOTE=CindyCRNA;7537459]
This describes my 17.2, 1400 lb freight train. We are using a 3 ring elevator (double jointed), tried it on the middle ring, the bottom ring (she didn’t stop pulling and tossed her head the whole time), tried a chain and the reins on the middle ring, really the only thing that works is my brute strength! She is strong in the dressage ring (we are in the baby division), moderately strong on a cross country course. We need work on manners. As for help in your bit, I am going to try a Kineton Noseband. I have heard good things.[/QUOTE]

Yes I’ve heard great things about Kintons too. Worth a try. With this mare we tried a mechanical hack and a snaffle with two reins as a combo set up and it was a good option in the ring but she would just curl away and run with her nose in her chest once outside. Ah well. I’ve never found a used Kinton to experiment with and they are very expensive new.

Just tried a corkscrew Dee with slots on the Dee ring and a curb chain. No go either. I’m starting to think myler or mikmar combo. Have you looking into the myler combo elevator? Reviews suggest it might be idea for your horse. It incorporates some hacks more style nose pressure so it has the initial warning before the action of the bit comes in.

Huntin’ Pony. Canada has a split hunt season from spring to early summer (April-June) then late summer until the snow stays (sept-dec).
Thanks do your input but this mare’s dressage is pretty good. However it does not prevent her from pulling like a train on a 3 or 4 hour hunt.

[Bogie]

I would try either a running martingale (for leverage) or a Kineton noseband before bitting up.

However, bitting for the hunt field is different than any other kind of riding and there’s a lot of trial and error – most of which you discover at a dead gallop. My own horse hunts in either a Kimberwicke with a quarter moon mouthpiece or a waterford snaffle plus a running. He is particularly responsive to the curb chain.

Any other time, I ride him in either a jointed snaffle or, his favorite, a Mickmar short shank. He loves the roller and will happily spin it around with his tongue the whole ride. People think it’s a “harsh” bit but the short shank or circle shank has very little leverage and he’s very soft in it.

For a horse that really pulls, I might try a Mickmar combination bit.

My second horse is currently hunting in a Peewee snaffle, which is a thin mullen mouth. She has the potential to be a freight train so I’m seeing how long it lasts. I only hunted her a few times last fall and will be taking her out in the next couple of weeks – once I get the spring sillies out of her.

[Huntin_Pony]

Corky:

How interesting about your split season - live and learn!

You’ve gotten lots of bit suggestions, so I will pursue my line of thought just a little farther. If you are not interested, I understand.

If you can use her dressage training to gallop terrain both alone and in company when you are not hunting and she doesn’t lean, why do you suppose she leans on a 3-4 hour hunt? Tired muscles maybe? Tired rider changing position maybe? Just the thrill of the chase?

What if you hunt her until she starts to lean then go in or drop back a field? Try this for several hunts and see whether she leans sooner, later or the same. This could give you a clue as to whether it is fatigue related or just the thrill of the chase.

If it’s the “thrill” and you have a full repertoire of dressage skills (e.g., half halts in all gaits and at all speeds) to draw upon, consistency and patience should enable you to improve the situation over time. (I am assuming that she stays sensible while hunting; if not, all bets are off but why would you hunt her in that case?)

Have fun!