Pony help??

Question

i ride my 14.hh mare in a eggbutt snaffel bit. its is a thick bit peace and my mare is very strong i was wondering if i got it but with a thiner bit peace and i no changing the bit will not slove the problem but my arms are killing me shes not being bad she just gets very execited about every thing.

would this help a bit people have told me to try this with her any help. thanks

Answer 1

yes it works great my horse is snaffle mouthed in school but is on bottom ring for hack and middle ring for jumping. its a great bit and i would recomend it!

Answer 2

Your problem won't be solved by a new bit...you need to learn how to use your seat and legs to get her working properly, so that you don't use the reins as your stop signal.  You need to work on moving her hips laterally, for starters.  You need to teach collection, which should not be attempted with anything other than a plain, unshanked bit.  There are no shortcuts, and if you go with the more leveraged bit, you'll only make your problems worse in the not-so-long run.

Sore arms don't happen to learned horsemen.

Answer 3

I used to own a 14.2hh pony who was quite strong at times, I rode him in a Dutch Gag, it's like a regular snaffle however it has 2 lower rings that you can attach the reins to if the pony gets too strong and it gives you abit more control, it sounds abit of a horrible name but its a good bit, google it to find out abit more about it if you like.

Answer 4

I used to have a 14.2 Connemara - VERY CHEEKY! I got it all, the arms that feel like they are about to drop of.. Literally...

One arm with a bulging muscle and the other just as it was before you had the pony..

That pony made me lopsided :( :( :( .. It took me ages to get straight again because I had to pull with one arm so much.. Anyway, to solve it I used a dutch gag bit, and he was absulotely amazing. It has a bumpy surface so he didn't lean, and it turned out that he accepted it really well.

Just to let you know.. The dutch gag can be quite a harsh bit when used incorrectly (i.e. Yanking on the mouth etc) So you will probably have to get used to the fact that you will not be able to pull with your hands too much!

The dutch gag is used by so many eventers with stronger horses and the horses and riders really benefit from it, I strongly reccomend it!

Answer 5

It's worth a shot. Generally a thinner bit is stronger, so a thinner plain snaffle is your next logical step. If that doesn't work, try a slow twist or maybe even a corkscrew. At least 15 of our 37 horses go in a corkscrew dee, which gives just the right amount of control to an intermediate rider without being too harsh. (I personally prefer a lighter bit like a Dr. Bristol for my mare that pulls. It seems to make her happier than the harsher bits. Just think of sitting deep and pushing your horse's hind end up under her. Gets her lighter in the front and therefore less pull)

Another option is putting a flash noseband on her. This works wonders for all of ours that pull. We even use it for schooling at shows and just pull it off right before the horse goes in the ring. It takes them a few trips to realize it's not there, then by the time the figure it out, the classes are over :)

Answer 6

everyone will say don't change you bit because that doesnt solve problems...... If the pony is that strong for you, then try a different bit. It's you thats riding her and not anoyone else on here leaving silly 'learn how to ride' comments. There is no reason for your arms to be aching, and so trying a different bit may help. Don't use a corkscrew or twisted bit as believe it or not, these are the strongest bits you can get as they apply pressure to the bars and can make the horse sore mouthed or hard mouthed. And you shouldnt use a curb chain on a snaffle as someone said. You can try a thinner bit, but she will probably still run through this. A Waterford may be a good option as the horse can't grab the bit and run off with you. Also, a gag (dutch or cheltenham) bit may help as it applys more poll pressure. The mouthpiece is just as important as the cheakpieces.  i personally prefer to ride my stronger horses and ponies in a kimblewick or pelham (no its not harsh if you use them correctly), which help with hunting/jumping etc. But seeing as you say shes only pulling i would suggest changing the mouthpiece to a Dr bristol, or waterford and if all else fails, a wilkie or gag, so that you can change the reins and gain leverage when needed!

Answer 7

Try her with a thinner bit by all means, and try a drop or grackle or flash noseband.

Like someone else said learn to sit deep and keep a constant contact, make her lighter up front with hocks underneath.  Using low cavalletti will help with getting her use hocks more.

The reason she is fighting you is because it is a natural instinct for the horse to run away from pain or discomfort - ie when you pull against her she pulls against you - and she is stronger!

Also try to slow the movement of your lower back and seat, she will have to respond by slowing down to match your movement and eventually you could almost dispense with reins altogether (in theory!  I would not recommend it though!)

A gag is not the answer to your problems.  In the wrong hands it is extremely harsh.  Watch horses on the polo field where it is most often used.  They are always throwing their heads and opening mouths because the riders do not have good hands!  So they then get more and more tack to strap them down.  And so it goes on!

Answer 8

That might work, but you may have to change the bit entirely.

Are you using a curb chain?  If not, give that a try before you mess with the bit.

Answer 9

A thinner bit will be harsher/more severe, but if you are using a thick bit, I would recommend trying it. It sounds like your horse is "running through the bit" and a thinner bit would help. I don't think you need a different TYPE of bit, but a thinner bit will help.

*When she gets excited or pull-y, don't pull back with both reins, use only 1 to pull her into a circle. It's called a "pulley rein" and gives you better leverage, which helps with a pulling horse or when you're a small rider on a big horse(like me!)

Edit- Please don't go straight to a gag!!!! And sore arms definetely happen to learned horsemen/women. A pulling horse is a pulling horse and a learned horseman usually just looks better while dealing with it but their arms still hurt. If your arms don't hurt you're doing something wrong.

Answer 10

Sounds like your in need of a myler bit.

Myler bits are designed to make your horse more comfortable, so it can concentrate on your commands.

http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/index.p...