Similar experience here. I can jump my ISH mare solo XC & stadium with a loose-ring double-jointed snaffle (same bit I also use for dressage and to trail ride her in groups/ solo). She has more than enough “go” on XC and stadium, but I found in the hunt field during her first season, I need a lot more “whoa” so I experimented and found a slow-twist snaffle did the trick. With the double-jointed snaffle we were just having too many tug-o’-wars and I was forever trying to keep her from sailing past the field master on a gone-away.
The first time last season I tried the slow-twist snaffle, it was a HUGE improvement. She listened, galloped nicely, rated nicely, and my arms weren’t two feet longer by the end of the hunt! :lol: I was able to ride on a nice even contact and we were both in general much happier.
This is her second season, and our first hunt out this past fall, I had forgotten to switch out the bits and she reverted back to being VERY strong and forward. While I appreciated the arm workout (;)) I went back to the slow-twist on the next hunt and she was great again.
This Sunday is our Closing Hunt and I’m so sad another fantastic season has come to a close! Maybe next year I’ll try a milder bit again on the first hunt to see if I can teach her to respect the milder bit, as did bigbaytb with her horse.
