yet one more bitting question

[beezwing]

and it is mostly a training question (but aren't all equipment questions really training questions?)..so I may need to move this or double post.

Anyway, Lady is being riding in a full cheek Dr Bristol. When I got her she was ridden in a bike chain mechanical hack, and not all that often, she had been out of work for over a year. The full cheek is to keep her from gaping so the bit passes through her mouth.

She is a bit of a "get nervous, speed up, head tossing" arab nitwit (said with love mind you). I am beginning to think that the Dr Bristol is putting to much pressure on her tongue and she hates it. But then again, when she isn't being nervous she goes in it just fine (beautifully really). I am just afraid that something about the bit is adding to her nit-wittery.

We are working on yielding to bit pressure, and staying at the speed we are working in. She is has this in between gait, that she likes to slip into ..if we are walking and she gets silly she gaits, and if we are trotting she likes to slip into it now and again.

So I am thinking of a jointed kimberwick, or a plain snaffle, or basically try something that doesn't have the middle piece of the Dr Bristol digging into her tongue.. but it is a bit frightening to me when she tries to take off (my issue) and starts acting like a twit when we are riding with others. She is good for yanking the reins from my hands and not wanting to be held back. Riding alone, she is pretty good about listening to me...most of the time.

I just want to make sure that she isn't uncomfortable, while I work out her other issues. So what do you all think about Dr Bristols, and what bit do you think I should try on a silly Arab that likes to go fast when she gets nervous? and scares her re rider owner who doesn't want to hurt her while we both work out our issues.

now off to post the other question in training..
k

[Carri]

Cricket used to be ridden in a Dr Bristol, when we bought her we kept using the same bit, but quickly realized she hated it. She does like a double jointed bit, just not the Dr Bristol. The one that we have found that she loves, and still gives some brakes, is called an Easy Control by Stubben. It comes any full cheek, egg butt, dee ring, loose ring, etc, but the mouthpiece is very cool. It is double jointed, but when you start putting pressure, it turns into a mullen, the joints only move until the bit is straight, and then become one straight piece. Maybe she would like that?
http://www.123tack.com/winning/produ...dept_id=31 48

Other than that, I would say a kimberwicke with a curb chain would give you some brakes when you need it, but be comfortable enough for her when she is being good.

[beezwing]

Thanks Carri...That Stubben bit is very nice..pricey, but I will see if I can find something like it.

She is very pony like, which I really, really like. My first love was a Connamara and I do like the ponytude.

I just have to get some brakes on her so that I can give her confidence, while gain some more myself..but I don't want to teach with pain.

If I was younger..I know that I would just run her till she was sick of it, every time she tried to take off..but I am not that brave anymore.

k

[Carri]

With Miley, we are doing trot, trot, trot, trot, trot, until she is exhausted, every time she does it. It is exhausting for everyone (we take turns!) but it is really helping.

The stubben bit is pricey, but well worth it. Miley and Cricket are both ridden in one, Cricket in the D ring, Miley in the elevator.

[EquineAlberta]

The Myler Comfort Snaffle, or a french link are other bit options to consider.

For the bolting, I would try to figure out why the bolt and get to the route of her fear/insecurity and deal with it that way so you don't have to count on a strong bit to get her attention.

A kimberwick may be something to consider, but sometimes arabs tend to get behind the bit/over bent in them, and that can be a hard issue to correct once started.

Karen

[beezwing]

I defiantly want as nice and gentle a bit as possible. I switched her from the mechanical hack..because I am pretty sure that the main reason I got dumped off of Gideon that time was I hurt him with it, because I was scared, and I just don't like a piece of equipment (plus I ride english).

I only just learned that the Dr Bristol is not as gentle as a French link. I don't know the original reason she was ridden in a hack, it could have been anything. In Sept I have an appointment to get her mouth looked at.

Just in case anyone got the wrong idea..she isn't bolting, I can hold her back..I am just scared that she will. I held her to a trot when I was riding in a group so tight that it looked like she was piaffe-ing and ticked her off enough that she reared. (next time, push her forward and circle) The last time she was being a butt, she did get into a canter for a moment, but it was a "oh we are cantering" and then she stopped, like 4 strides..so I am not yet scared, nor does she bolt uncontrollably..and if I was 17 again, this wouldn't be a worry, it would be a fun ride

She is a fun little horse, and I love her to pieces. I want a bit that won't hurt her, but will stop her...until we both get accustomed to each other and better trained.