Bit advice

Aandceq

New Member
Apr 1, 2020
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Hello
I am struggling to find a bit to buy for my pony he’s a 16hh Irish cob . He’s currently in a full cheek snaffle happymouth mullen mouth and he goes the best out of all the other bits be have tried in it but he’s still very strong to the hand. He is also VERY LAZY but strong at the same time we have tried eggbut my snaffels and just normal full cheeks and they haven’t worked . He gets very strong in his head and I don’t want to put anything to strong in him but does anyone recommend any bits (I have a 3 ring gag and a wilki/bevel happymouth Mullen mouth bit at home to ) anyone recommend any bits for a strong a lazy pony
 
Is he strong as in doing as he pleases pulling through aids or heavy in the hands even at slow speed? I don't generally associate lazy and strong which is why I ask, lazy are often heavy on the forehand which makes them heavy in the hand and the best thing for that is schooling to lighten them up, a stronger bit would likely just back them off it even more.
 
Is he strong as in doing as he pleases pulling through aids or heavy in the hands even at slow speed? I don't generally associate lazy and strong which is why I ask, lazy are often heavy on the forehand which makes them heavy in the hand and the best thing for that is schooling to lighten them up, a stronger bit would likely just back them off it even more.
He is strong once he is going like once he gets in to a canter he is like bombing arround and like getting v strong to the point it hard to stop he is only ever strong when he is doing what he wants and especially out hacking and out xc I feel like He just won’t listen to my arms
 
Is he strong as in doing as he pleases pulling through aids or heavy in the hands even at slow speed? I don't generally associate lazy and strong which is why I ask, lazy are often heavy on the forehand which makes them heavy in the hand and the best thing for that is schooling to lighten them up, a stronger bit would likely just back them off it even more.
 
Like @Jessey that sounds to me like he's on the forehand and unbalanced, and if that's the case no bit is going to solve the problem. It's not uncommon in cob types, and it can be greatly improved by schooling. Probably your best bet, once social distancing allows, is to have a few lessons on him and explain to the RI what the problem is that you want to improve. In the meantime try not to get into a tug of war as you'll never win, instead half halts and, strange as it may sound, plenty of leg to keep him stepping under with his hind legs. It might also help if you make sure you keep your hands up, that way it's harder for either of you to set against the other.
 
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My pony Ziggy was very strong when I got him, and all his life had a tendency to tank off with me - not bolting, just going where he wanted to, at the speed he wanted to. I tried numerous different bits, but the only things that made a real difference to him were (1) him really getting to trust me, so that he didn't feel he needed to take charge, and (2) schooling - him and me! Once I learned how to ride him from my seat, rather than kicking and pulling, he was much much better. We ended up in a simple French link egg but snaffle, and I had better brakes and steering than I had had with any of the more severe bits I'd tried.
 
I’m going to buck the trend here. Much as I agree that less is often more, if you’ve got an excited strong horse sometimes they’ll respond better to a different bit used with gentle hands. Personally I’d much rather use a bit that the horse respects and is comfortable with than Haul on a snaffle all the time. Mossy used to hate stainless steel but was great with a rubber kimblewick, or schooling with snaffle and drop nose and. Con detests a snaffle of any sort. It was on this site I first met Heather and learnt about pelhams. Not all horses have snaffle shaped mouths.
 
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