big bit problem?

[ShowjumperBeckii]

i dont know what to do
i have taken your advice but as soon as she seens a course of jumps shes like 'cya mum' and i cant hold her back :/
shes only been to a few showjumpings shows with me so its obv shes just excited to be out but im stuck

iv tired :
loose ring snaffle-no control or stearing
fulmer- no control
hanging check-not bad but still not alot of control;
french check? no control at all
pelham-to strong
3 ring gag -she dont accepted it/isnt comfortable :/
tom thumb -no control

what now? im 14 so im not that expenived to re school her ect and we cant afford her to be re schooled ect and i do have lessons but im parents cant keep paying for loads of them
my YO/intrustor said we need to have a sit down one day and go thru all the bits and try them out on her and see what happens but surely theres not alot left to try?

[natalieg4]

Hi there


When you say youve tried her in a pelham was it metal or rubber, and did you use it with roundings or actually use 2 pairs of reins??

[Sasca]

hmm...i think you shold get her teeth and back checked.

As much as it could be just excitement, it might also be aprrehension about expected pain or discomfort of the movement of jumping. Are you good at giving with your hands as you go over? ive found that a horse that is predicting that the rider catches them in the mouth over the jumps, they try and get hold of the bit beforehand t stop it.

Otherwise, i think she is a horse that will not do good with stronger and stronger bits. She will just get more frustrated and fight them, making it even harder for you. I would go to the strongest bit that she really liked, even if its the half cheek. i would then change some other tack.

You may find that a kineton noseband will really help, as it will add nose pressure to your rein aids which she may respond to better.

Do you have an instructor? ask your instructor or take her for lessons at your local instructor or riding school. Have someone watch you and see what they suggest. I really dont think strong bits will work so you need to find a compromise which gives you control and is safe, but that she is happy with and responds to.

d also stop jumping for a while, and do lots of polework. Get her trotting nicely over raised poles untill she is relaxed and happy and doesn't see them as an obstacle. when she has lovely canter work over them , you can add in small jumps inbetween them small jumps, and she needs to be relaxed and calm. Only when she is chilled over small jumps between poles would i start her up again on more hieght jumps. I think an instructor for you is the most important though. Someone who can see how she moves and what will be best to help her chill out.

[lauraj]

Hi , i have had the same problem with my gelding when taking him to BSJA i use a butterfly flip bit and he is now an angel ! It is fantastic for pully strong horses . There's one on ebay item 270663513428 if you type that number in the search box at the top you will find it .They are expensive but designed for your type of problem ! They are not a harsh bit but offer some more control with different reign positions . Hope this helps !

[xmellensx]

Whether people like them or hate them... Have you tried a Waterford? Snaffle/Gag. The horse can't grab and hold/pull onto them. My mare who was driven and rescued accepts the waterford much better than a Snaffle..

[carlad3]

sweet iron copper tomb thumb? they also do the same mouth peice with snaffle rings can rember what its called though, this may work??!
i know it worked with my mental horse!!!!!

[Kizzywhiz]

why not try a bitless bridle . they seem like a waste of time but i know someone who had a really strong horse and put one of these on the horse and worked a treat . ask your instructor first though . also get the vet out to see if there are any underlying problems with the back and teeth and mouth also if when you are jumping wear a neckstrap so you can loop your fingers round it to make sure your not catching the horse in the mouth

[Gabylovepenny]

i dont know what to do
i have taken your advice but as soon as she seens a course of jumps shes like 'cya mum' and i cant hold her back :/
shes only been to a few showjumpings shows with me so its obv shes just excited to be out but im stuck

iv tired :
loose ring snaffle-no control or stearing
fulmer- no control
hanging check-not bad but still not alot of control;
french check? no control at all
pelham-to strong
3 ring gag -she dont accepted it/isnt comfortable :/
tom thumb -no control

what now? im 14 so im not that expenived to re school her ect and we cant afford her to be re schooled ect and i do have lessons but im parents cant keep paying for loads of them
my YO/intrustor said we need to have a sit down one day and go thru all the bits and try them out on her and see what happens but surely theres not alot left to try?

I have had the same problem with my pony I just did lots and lots of exercise at home that made her slow down

[Sasca]

Thought you would like to know that this issue got covered in the horse magazine this month.

You need to get her balanced and reschooled before worrying about jumping. Work on balancing and getting her underneath and collected, changing the bit wont help with that, keep to a snaffle.