Re: which bit???

cheers hevsie, looked on internet and found afew cheaper than tack shop.

is the kincade american cross noseband the same as a grackle as it looks the same, and same info.,  but is cheaper at£7 in robinsons, and £6.29 at chandlers! bargain ! do you feel this may help.

have ridden her out 3 times now in the d ring copper roller and perfect on roads etc, but pulls like mad on common and when we cantered  had to really heave her up- in fact  once had to lock one hand into her neck and pull with the other--hard--she's very fast!  arms felt like lead weights when i'd finished ride, so maybe not enough for her--but i've got it on loan for another week so will continue to ride in it to see if she softens to it--thought maybe with the grackle it might be  a better combination.

also have a waterford to try-but am a bit anxious of this bit as i've heard a mixed opinion to it. can it catch on the horses tongue as polly has a small mouth and large tongue!

don't want to hurt my girlie!

Re: which bit???

Hi all again,

thought i'd drop you all a line and let you know how we're getting on.

tried the waterford, but she didn't like it and actually tanked off with me three times on the road--as she got cross. had tried it in a paddock the night before, and seemed fine, but hacking was a different story.so , anyone want to buy a 5" waterford bit????

anyway, found that she really likes a d- ring copper roller snaffle, so have bought one. she goes very nicely in it and responds much better--so not stronger--just different type of snaffle. she really froths at the mouth, and is much lighter .  but it's not quite strong enough when she decides to go for it so have also got a grackle to try as hoping the two together will be better--and yes, she does open her mouth and cross her jaw. in a flash at mo.

will let you know if it works. anyone else had this type of horse???

lovely but hyper !!!! wouldn't change her for the world!!! anyway it is all working well--didn't go for a harsher bit--in fact she's back in a snaffle and i'm dead chuffed.

thanks for the advice.

Re: which bit???

Hi,

Up to having my children i had a horse that took me the best part of two years to find the right bit, she was lovely when schooling and could be schooled easily in a snaffle but out hacking was so strong and leant on the bit all the time.

I tried straight bar bits and she refused to turn and the dutch gag didn't stop her, the only one i found to work that she liked was the american gag.

It looks mean but is jointed and she loved it, i found i didn't have to hang on the reins to stop her and it also brought her head down. She wore that with a flash nose band.

Re: which bit???

My horse Misty used to lean on the bit. Like yours was fine on the roads etc but as soon as she was on grass she just went. I did have a dutch gag in her but it just wasn't working and didn't want to go for one with any more severity. When i went to Badminton i started talking to a man that was a representative off the Myler bit company and explained to him about the trouble i was having and he suggested a bit that has some leaverage using "hooks" with rollers that stop the horse from taking hold of the bit. She's been a star ever since.  Honestly i really would suggest phoning up the company and explaining it and they'll tell you exactly what you need, they're really helpful. And then if you didn't want to pay the full wack, there are plenty on ebay if they tell you what it is you need to look for. 

Re: which bit???

heyy.

i had the same problem with my old pony. we tried hackamores/bitless bridles and it was an instant inprovement with her. maybe you could try the same thing??

also teeth could be a problem, get them checked out.

if none of these work you might just need to go back to basics with the schooling and see if that helps. As shes lively on grass you could practise schooling in the corner of a field so she know that she doesnt have to gallop everytime she hits grass. it might take a while but youll get there eventually.

good luck anyway :D