Looking for a bit/tack suggestion

[Cabaret_SK]

Turning to the collective knowledge of COTH for some ideas…

Horse is a 27 year old Morgan. Had a bit of an all-around show career earlier in life, and is now retired as a trail horse with an intermediate adult amateur rider. Rider is comfortable w-t-c, but has confessed the horse scares her when cantering on the trail.

Horse is HOT and strong, and always has been (even when in a full-time program). His favourite tactics are curling to evade the bit, or pulling to unseat the rider. He is a handful even for an experienced rider, but was previously ok in a pelham with two reins.

Current rider is not comfortable with two reins. She has soft hands, and just wants something that she knows she can stop him in when needed (i.e. when he gets strong out cantering on the trail), but doesn’t need the strength all the time. She’s not the type to punish with a bit.

We have tried the pelham with converters, a waterford D ring, and a slow twist D ring. The pelham caused a lot of fussing and head tossing, as did the slow twist. The waterford has fixed the head tossing, but doesn’t have enough to stop him when he gets going.

Looking for some suggestions here, including possible martingale or other suggestions. Yes, the answer is probably to go back to ground work and lessons, but the farm only has arena access a few months of the year due to weather, and there is no on-site trainer or coach. Horse has excellent ground manners, and is good for the rider in the arena, but those features don’t seem to translate out in open fields with other horses. I just want the rider to feel safe on the horse, and be able to enjoy him when out trail riding for whatever time he has left.

Edited: Not concerned about the set-up being show legal for any discipline, as the horse is retired from showing.

[c0608524]

Have you thought about teaching her a one rein stop? Sometimes the fear of being unable to stop is the mental issue, and not the speed per say. I know this isn’t the answer you’re looking for, but I have nothing to contribute tack wise… just a bit of sympathy and what would work with me.

[dmacaramel]

Try a waterford pelham. If two reins are too much for the rider to handle and the converter does not give her enough stopping power, just put a single rein on the curb.

[lizathenag]

I would put the rein on the curb ring of the pelham. AT 27 he is probably not going to change (and shouldn’t have to!). another option would be not to canter on the trail. the guy is 27!

[fordtraktor]

A kimberwick might be a great solution. Also, I have had tremendous luck with a smooth double mouth on hot horses:

https://www.tackwarehouse.com/Gina-M…t-p/4-gina.htm

It isn’t harsh like some twisted bits, but doesn’t add the leverage and curling and head tossing a Pelham type does. The horse probably is what he’s going to be at that age, and she needs brakes.

[nu5ha]

I was going to suggest a Waterford if not the pelham the 2 ring gag, you only need one rein on the bottom ring or you can use it as a ‘snaffle’. I do always put a leather curb on any 2 or 3 ring gag when and if I use.

https://www.thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product.php?xProd=523

[Cabaret_SK]

@c0608524

Have you thought about teaching her a one rein stop? Sometimes the fear of being unable to stop is the mental issue, and not the speed per say. I know this isn’t the answer you’re looking for, but I have nothing to contribute tack wise… just a bit of sympathy and what would work with me.

Open to suggestions other than tack as well! Thanks!

@lizathenag

I would put the rein on the curb ring of the pelham. AT 27 he is probably not going to change (and shouldn’t have to!). another option would be not to canter on the trail. the guy is 27!

Trust me, the choice to canter on the trail is largely the horse’s choice with this one. If he got to choose, he would trot/canter the entire time, at the front of the group, at top speed. Any desire to walk or slow down on the trail comes from the rider with this horse.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Much appreciated!

[Jackie_Cochran]

If she is so resistant to using two reins and he is hard to handle–has she tried him in just a Weymouth curb bit?

It is my impression that a lot of Morgans are trained with a double bridle which means two reins, but it also means that the horse is familiar with the Weymouth curb bit and has probably learned to listen to it. Since you say she has decent hands it would not be too hard to learn to ride with a sagging rein, just engaging the curb bit when the horse gets too strong, not with a constant pull but with give and take.

My riding teacher has a pony that got WAY too strong for his little riders. I had gotten a 4" wide Weymouth, she asked to try it out on him, and now he wears it when little kids ride him (he is too small for adults.) He is not “perfect” in the Weymouth but he DOES listen to his little riders when they inexpertly use the reins and he no longer runs away madly to the gate whenever he wants to and he listens to his riders a lot better.

That Weymouth curb turned him into a MUCH more civilized pony, one that is much more suitable for the little riders for lessons and regular riding.

[Cabaret_SK]

@Jackie Cochran

If she is so resistant to using two reins and he is hard to handle–has she tried him in just a Weymouth curb bit?

It is my impression that a lot of Morgans are trained with a double bridle which means two reins, but it also means that the horse is familiar with the Weymouth curb bit and has probably learned to listen to it. Since you say she has decent hands it would not be too hard to learn to ride with a sagging rein, just engaging the curb bit when the horse gets too strong, not with a constant pull but with give and take.

That Weymouth curb turned him into a MUCH more civilized pony, one that is much more suitable for the little riders for lessons and regular riding.

Interesting idea, and one I hadn’t thought of. He is trained to go in a double bridle, and I have a weymouth curb, so can bring that for her to try.

[Jackie_Cochran]

I remember long ago, 1964-5? reading an article in the Morgan Horse Magazine. It was by Mary Jean Vasiloff, owner of Whippoorwill (sp?) Farm. The title was, I think, “Snaffle–Instrument of Torture”. This lady rode Morgans, some with just a Saddle Seat Weymouth, out on the trails, in a saddleseat saddle.

Vassiof’s book “Alone With Your Horse” is also well worth reading.

[ivy62]

Have you considered a Micklem Bridle? The pressure points may help? or not… good luck… Kudos to you for having a healthy 27 year old

[ZELLA]

You know what the horse likes. The rider should step up and learn to ride with two reins. It’s not that hard. Failing that, how about a Western grazing bit (or similar) with a curved mullen, mild port, or whatever the pelham has?