Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Linda Winkel wrote:
> I am trying to figure out what bit to use with AJ my gelding. I use an 
> eggbutt snaffle right now but he tends to lean on the bit more than he 
> should. I am thinking about a harsher bit for the endurance rides so I 
> have more control of him when he is not right in the head with 
> excitement. I also wasn't sure about a hackamore.
> I also have the problem of when he shakes his head really hard he 
> shakes the bridle off both of his ears:eek: I have a bridle path but 
> that does not seem to work. Any suggestions.
> He is soft at the pole but when he thinks he should not stop he leans 
> into the bit and resists the pressure.
> Looking forward to some suggestions.
> Linda
I ride a very forward and very excitable Arab - have so for 10 years. I 
ride him in a Myler comfort snaffle. It's not because this is a "miracle 
bit" it is not - it is because he has a good foundation in training to 
know what the bit is about and he understands the communication between 
me (the rider) and him (the horse).

I doubt very seriously if your problem is the bit. I suspect it is the 
communication between the horse and rider. I had a very good riding 
instructor one time - an ex Grand Prix eventer - who said "You can get a 
bit so sever you can break the horse's jaw but that won't stop him and 
you could still die. The bit doesn't stop him - the communication 
between the horse and rider does." She was right.

I suggest stepping back and doing some serious training - even if it 
means the arena - to establish better communications with the horse. 
Even when I was riding the Hell Bitch I did it in a mullen mouth snaffle 
- she was extremely forward and had a will and an agenda but she knew 
how to listen and she did. It was at times a negotiation (but she was a 
mare) but we came to terms so each of us could live ( I mean that 
literally) with - and we did it using a mild bit.

Truman

--

“Since when have we Americans been expected to bow submissively to 
authority and speak with awe and reverence to those who represent us?” 
Justice William O. Douglas


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