Suggestions for a puller

[workinggirl]

Hi All

Just wondering what to use on my draft/tb out on trail, hunter paces etc… when I am in a group and they get ahead he wants to go to- if I ask him to stay back- even just a little, he pulls- like my arm out of the socket pull. In the ring he is fine, and most of the tme on trail- just don’t like him when he pulls me. I am riding him in a slow twist snaffle- open to all suggestions, thanks. I am trying to get him to not be so nervous when left, but he really wants to be with them. He is big, with a nice comfy big canter stride, but the tbs we ride with are sl faster, therefore they get ahead and he want to go!

[TBlitz]

I have the same problem with my guy. We’ve tried all kinds of snaffles, gags, elevators, and every kind of tough bit imaginable. This past week I put a rubber mullen mouth pelham with 2 reins attached and he has never been better (except when he got pissed that I made him stay at the very back for while). I can keep a nice contact with him and use the curb as a whoa when he needs it. It’s much better than looking like I’m mean to my guy by using a harsh bit or needing to use a not so harsh bit and having people frown at how much I’m in his face in order to maintain control. I wanted to slap myself across the face for never trying it before. I’ve also had success in the past with a double bridle, but I don’t have one ATM and didn’t want to spend the $ on a new bridle and bits since I’m trying to save up for many other fun things.

It’s not a super expensive bit to try if you can’t borrow one. I’ve spent way more on bits that don’t work, but this one can be found on Dover for under $30.

[gothedistance]

I used to use a gag – it worked great, but then my show hunter friend lent me a snaffle bit comprised of what looks like small jointed dumb-bells that she said was an anti-lean bit – designed for a horse that tends to bear down on the rider’s hands. I do like this anti-lean bit better. However, I’ve never seen another one like it, so I’ve no idea where you’d go to find one.

I’d suggest a pelham (if you can do two reins) or a kimberwick (if you want to do just one rein).

I wouldn’t suggest a gag with just one rein, although I see a lot of people using it that way in the hunt field. It just encourages a horse to go behind the vertical.

[Painted_Wings]

Did it look like this?

http://www.bitofbritain.com/PhotoDetails.asp?

That’s called a Waterford D Bit

Bit of Britain has them.

[JSwan]

My horse is like that too - and he’s the same breeding as yours. I started with a Pelham (with two reins, not a converter).

As he got better I used a Kimberwick - and that is now the primary bit. If you’re unsure of the Kimberwick, try buying an Uxeter Kimberwick. It has two slots, one above the other. The slots are not for two sets of reins, but offer different leverage for one rein.

The higher slot acts more like a snaffe, and the lower slot give you more leverage (the bit comes with a curb chain). Or, you can attach the bit the way you would a regular Kimberwick; through the actual ring and not the slots.

gothedistance - I think I know the bit you’re talking about but I don’t remember the name of it. I think the idea behind it is that the horse can’t really grab it like a more traditional bit? Dunno.

[Beverley]

I would also cast a vote for a rubber pelham.

And, with ‘any’ bit, know how to bridge the reins so that the horse is merely pulling against himself.

My other trade secret for pullers is to periodically take them hunting in really hilly terrain. You can basically chuck the reins going uphill, let the geography be the brakes, and I found for my worst puller that he reminded himself of the lesson- save your energy- and didn’t pull for weeks after say, a day at Rappahannock or Old Dominion.

[LookinSouth]

[QUOTE=gothedistance;2813915]
I used to use a gag – it worked great, but then my show hunter friend lent me a snaffle bit comprised of what looks like small jointed dumb-bells that she said was an anti-lean bit – designed for a horse that tends to bear down on the rider’s hands. I do like this anti-lean bit better. However, I’ve never seen another one like it, so I’ve no idea where you’d go to find one.
.[/QUOTE]

Yup sounds like a Waterford to me. A very popular bit in H/J land and an effective one might I add. If you have enough brakes in the snaffle but just need something the horse can’t grab and run with the waterford is going to be the mildest option. Be sure to get it 1/4 to a 1/2 inch larger than your usual bit size so it drapes on the tongue correctly. Although a slow twist has more stopping power than a waterford IMO the construction of the waterford has alot less to grab.

[gothedistance]

@Painted Wings;2814004

Did it look like this?

That’s called a Waterford D Bit

Bit of Britain has them.

Yes!!! That’s it! Thank you PW (and LookinSouth)!! My friend had told me the name of the bit when she loaned it to me years ago, but I’d long forgotten. I never used it until just recently …as I wanted to move my pony away from the gag since he’s mellowed enough to now do endurance entirely bitless. I hoped to also use something more simple with him in the hunt field… however, NOT going bitless there with him!! No way! :eek::lol:

Every now and then I remind my friend I still have that bit. She just waves it off because she doesn’t need it. However, if she ever wants it back I know what it’s called so I can buy her a new one.

[gothedistance]

@Beverley;2814105

I would also cast a vote for a rubber pelham.

And, with ‘any’ bit, know how to bridge the reins so that the horse is merely pulling against himself.

My other trade secret for pullers is to periodically take them hunting in really hilly terrain. You can basically chuck the reins going uphill, let the geography be the brakes, and I found for my worst puller that he reminded himself of the lesson- save your energy- and didn’t pull for weeks after say, a day at Rappahannock or Old Dominion.

Beverley - You have obviously NEVER foxhunted an endurance horse! Girl, the second you let up on the reins galloping uphill, you’d find yourself being galloped out of the county, bar none! :lol: :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: They just DON’T get tired, no matter what the terrain! After 4 hours hunting yesterday, every horse left in the field was cooked… except mine who was as fresh as a daisy, bright eyed and chipper… and ready to roll for a few more hours. I don’t know whether to consider myself lucky… or cursed. :rolleyes:

[workinggirl]

how about a segunda?

any thoughts on this bit?

[system]

I have a big strong warmblood mare that goes fine in a snaffle but when we hunt I use a waterford pelham. She can’t lean on it and we also have the extra brakes when we need them. I hunted her in a traditional mullen mouth pelham about 3 times before she figured it out and we were in trouble again. The waterford made a big difference. Pullers are definately no fun. The previous comment was correct though in that you can’t give him anything to pull on. If you bridge your reins and deepen your seat he will figure out that it doesn’t do any good to pull.

[Painted_Wings]

That link didn’t work after I posted it.

Here’s the link again

http://www.bitofbritain.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=130515-130516

[SLW]

[QUOTE=gothedistance;2814243]
Beverley - You have obviously NEVER foxhunted an endurance horse! Girl, the second you let up on the reins galloping uphill, you’d find yourself being galloped out of the county, bar none! :lol: :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: They just DON’T get tired, no matter what the terrain! After 4 hours hunting yesterday, every horse left in the field was cooked… except mine who was as fresh as a daisy, bright eyed and chipper… and ready to roll for a few more hours. I don’t know whether to consider myself lucky… or cursed. :rolleyes:[/QUOTE]

You’ll chuckle at this. Yesterday was our Invitational Hunt and a couple veteran 100 mile eudurance riders I know pretty well joined us. I chatted w/ one at a check and she was laughing. All the start, stop, start, stop caused her steady eddie to toss out a buck, something he has never, ever done in his 10 year career. She said “well, this is perfect for him to learn something new!!”. And yeah, her gelding wasn’t even warmed up when we called it quits.

[Beverley]

@gothedistance;2814243

Beverley - You have obviously NEVER foxhunted an endurance horse! Girl, the second you let up on the reins galloping uphill, you’d find yourself being galloped out of the county, bar none! :lol: :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: They just DON’T get tired, no matter what the terrain! After 4 hours hunting yesterday, every horse left in the field was cooked… except mine who was as fresh as a daisy, bright eyed and chipper… and ready to roll for a few more hours. I don’t know whether to consider myself lucky… or cursed. :rolleyes:

Well, duh, I wouldn’t hunt one that was THAT fit, I’m not a glutton for punishment!

On the other hand, take that one out with Lynn Lloyd some time, 35 miles up and down 1000 foot ridges over 7 hours might take the edge off!

[JSwan]

@valleyhanov;2814730

I have a big strong warmblood mare that goes fine in a snaffle but when we hunt I use a waterford pelham. She can’t lean on it and we also have the extra brakes when we need them. I hunted her in a traditional mullen mouth pelham about 3 times before she figured it out and we were in trouble again. The waterford made a big difference. Pullers are definately no fun. The previous comment was correct though in that you can’t give him anything to pull on. If you bridge your reins and deepen your seat he will figure out that it doesn’t do any good to pull.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a waterford pelham. Can you post a photo of it? I plan on taking my young horse out roading and maybe cubbing a few times next season - he is built like a mammoth.

[workinggirl]

I do bridge the reins when necessary, but he still tries. And of course, he catches me off guard and give a good yank now and then. I went out yesterday with one other person (and horse of course), rode him in a metal unbroken pelham. We didn’t really need it, with just one other horse but he knew something was going on, like what the heck. Definitely got some respect. I also have a kimberwick and a seguda- it would be nice to ride with one set of reins. Any and All thoughts welcomed.

[gothedistance]

@Beverley;2814868

Well, duh, I wouldn’t hunt one that was THAT fit, I’m not a glutton for punishment! On the other hand, take that one out with Lynn Lloyd some time, 35 miles up and down 1000 foot ridges over 7 hours might take the edge off!

What fun that would be!

But … I’d doubt my guy would be even fazed – we ended our endurance season last month with a 50 mile ride in the Massanuttens - 4 climbs from the valley to the peaks (over 2,000’ vertical fall). I was mentoring a friend with her new Arab, so we went slow - 10 hours vs my normal 7.5 to finish. My guy was STILL bright and chipper, marching right along all perky like he’d only been out for a walk in the park, while the other two (we’d picked up another friend on the last 14 miles) were absolutely dragging, totally cooked.

Yes, I’m definitely cursed!

[LookinSouth]

[QUOTE=J Swan;2815090]
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a waterford pelham. Can you post a photo of it? I plan on taking my young horse out roading and maybe cubbing a few times next season - he is built like a mammoth.[/QUOTE]

They have it here

www.shop4bits.com

They also have a waterford baucher which could come in handy.

[LookinSouth]

[QUOTE=workinggirl;2814408]
any thoughts on this bit?[/QUOTE]

I personally think the waterford pelham is going to probably give you plenty of brakes w/o the need for a harsh mouth piece. In addition, the horse definitely won’t have anything to hang onto.

[JSwan]

@LookinSouth;2815207

They have it here

www.shop4bits.com

They also have a waterford baucher which could come in handy.

WOW. They have 7inch bits!!! Yippeeeeeeeeee!!!

(I did say the horse was a mammoth)

Thanks! I’ll bookmark this site for future reference.