Best bit for strong, sensitive horse

[HBB]

Hi, I've recently purchased a 16.2, Warmblood. and desperately needing a new bit. She's currently in a French link snaffle and we have no breaks while cantering. She is very sensitive though so needing a bit that wont send her loopy from pressure. Was thinking a French link hanging check but not sure if it will be strong enough to go hunting in and have control for show jumping?
Thanks,

 

[CharliesAngel]

i dont think a hanging cheek is any stronger, just different. It is more stable in the mouth due to the sides and keeps the bit up off the tongue.

Have you thought about trying a different noseband first? What does she do that prevents the brakes from working? Does she cross her jaw? In which case you could try a grakle. Ive had a lot of sucess with a drop noseband on various different types in the past also.

Id also get a good RI to watch you to see what she does and offer advice from there. Good luck!

 

[HBB]

I don't think she crosses her jaw, just forward going, rearing, jogging ect which is starting to get dangerous. She's in a flash bridle at the moment which we were recommend to ride her in from her previous owners. She doesn't hang onto the bit either and I don't think she needs anything like a Waterford as she carry's her head nicely. Thank you though!

 

[newforest]

Mine used to be a bit strong in canter and lean. I actually solved it by changing to a French link, she stopped the leaning. Then I went back to our usual one.

I would get an instructor out to watch you both as previously mentioned. It's a new partnership and it takes a while to get that connection.
How much turnout have you? What are you feeding? How fit is she? It could be a combination of things that's nothing to do with your bit.
If she's wanting to go forwards, let her go forwards, then bring her back.

 

[HBB]

She's fine in a arena it's only out across the fields we walk and trot across them to mix things up but doesn't seem to work. She's turnout 24/7 on a 10 acre field. She isn't fed anything as their is plenty of grass - not rich grass as it was cut. I would class her as medium fitness she's ridden 6 days. We just feel, it's not that safe not being able to stop due to our other horse goes nuts if anyone passes and just not wanting that to happen.

 

[Jessey]

If she's already rearing when you are trying to stop her then putting any stronger bit in her will be dangerous, I would be spending more time getting to know her in the school and hack out only with another very calm horse where you can try putting her in front (perhaps she is also a horse who likes to lead like your other one) and only walk until she is totally calm with that and gradually build on it from there.

 

[Jane&Ziggy]

My pony is very forward and can run off with you at walk if he chooses. He came in a French Link snaffle. I rode him in a hanging cheek for a while to see if the poll pressure improved braking but I had to say it made no difference. After long conversations with my RI, who has known him since I got him, we agreed that a stronger bit would not be any help because he will run through anything if he really wants to and what we needed to do was just train him and train him to accept light cues. I spent ages and ages just walking him. These days he goes in an Neue Schule eggbutt with lozenge - the D rings help to keep the bit from slipping through his mouth, because he opens it to evade - and a full cheek snaffle for long reining to help my steering. His brakes are ever so much better, but still not perfect. I'm glad I didn't up the bit though.

 

[carthorse]

At this point I wouldn't be thinking of hunting until you have a lot more control, you'll be a danger to yourself & everyone around you.

What have you been riding up until now? I ask because I'm wondering if you've just got a lot more horse & energy under you than before & that makes you feel like you're being run off with - a big horse stride can feel very onward if you aren't used to it & they often need more stopping distance too. If you can't get your RI to teach you in a field so she can see the problem can you get her to take her for a canter & see what she thinks?

Bits can be a minefield & what works seems to depend on the horse. Jim, my ID, was better in a Pelham with two reins since it meant I only used the curb as & when it was needed, on a single rein it was too restrictive for his liking. Better still though was a full cheek myler mullen mouth because he was much more likely to keep the contact, yes he could occasionally get strong in it but that was far better than ducking behind the contact & leaving me with nothing. But ultimately nothing would work if he decided to go, and his solution to feeling it might was to buck until I came off - believe me no-one was going to sit the strings of bucks & launches he could throw, he was the only horse I saw buck stirrup leathers off the saddle after I came off! Sometimes you accept some horses are not suitable for some jobs & no amount of tack or schooling will change that.

I'd start with a RI or very good rider's assessment & go from there. Seeing & feeling can give a very different perspective.

 

[HBB]

Thanks everyone for the help, will definitely have a look about getting a rl out. Just thought a bit would solve the issue of strong during the canter and not being able to stop.

 

[OwnedbyChanter]

I agree with what the others have said. I have a TB ex racer that in the school is a lovely in his happy mouth with a peanut (yes its a very basic training bit) We DR in that with no issues and now after years we XC. SJ and hack in it BUT it has taken a long time.

I do bit up when hacking in company as he does like to race but put him in front and he is lovely behind he pulls and we fight a little so I am just careful who I hack with and they understand. 4 years on and I would not hunt him still because when held back no matter what the bit he will rear. So we don't hunt.

 

[newforest]

What was she like when you tried her in the fields when you viewed her?
How did the owner/rider get on with her in the fields, it's possible that the previous rider wasn't concerned about stopping. But this would have shown itself at the viewing.

Did you purchase her saddle?