What Bit shoule i use?

Question

Okay so i have TB gelding that is REALLY heavy on my hands . i am using a D ring French Link right now and i would like to find a bit that may help me fix this?!?!

please help!

Answer 1

You don't necessarily need a different bit.  You could try changing the noseband etc.  Maybe ask someone local like a riding instructor to see how your bridle/ bit is and advise?

Answer 2

knowing TBs, hes heavy on your hand because your holding on to his face.  The point of riding and having a bit is to have steady even contact on your horse, but you should NOT be pulling.

If you horse went through race training then the harder you pull, the faster he'll go, and he'll just bare down on your hands.  

try holding contact, and then releasing contact in a pattern and see if he'll lighten up.  (like in the trot, hold for two up posts, and release for two up posts) I'll bet it will work ALOT better then switching bits.  

also, look at these two questions that i answered which follow the same concept you should try..

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

check out the best answers and try them with your guy.

good luck!

and don't change bits!

Answer 3

Its not the bit thats your problem. Your horse is probably on the forehand and so your horse is plugging along instead of pushing with its hind end and making him feel more energetic and light on the bit and just over all.. I hope this helped and This isn't a easy fix.. I reccomend tons of turn on haunches so that way you train your TB to rock back on his haunches and it will make everything alot easier. I myself am still learning it.. (along with training my mare it) We do alot of leg yeilding, turn on haunches and NO turn on FOREHAND.. Jumping helps I am not sure your experiance. Doing bounce grids work millions.. My instructor does them on my mare.. just anything to make him engage his hind end. Also make sure that both sides are both evenly muscled..

Answer 4

Perhaps a kimberwicke..or a pelham..

you'll have the extra leverage of a curb but not so harsh because of the short shanks and you can get a mullen mouth rather than a ported bit which would also be harsher..and the mouth pieces are not too thin which also makes it a less harsh bit.  (of course any bit can be harsh if in heavy hands!!--not to say you do..just to "cma")  Kimberwicke has two options for rein placement.  Pelham you could use two reins or a converter.

Answer 5

It's not necessarily the bit that will make a difference.  You need to teach him not to pull on you.  WHen he gets heavy on your hands, stop him and back him up.  Backing is hard for a horse so he will learn that he has to work hard if he is gonna pull on you.

Also, try teaching him to stop using your voice.  Say "whoa" every time you stop.  Eventually you won't even have to use your reins, which will help his mouth.  It seems like a lot of horses pull on you when you keep pulling on them (like to stop).

Answer 6

The french mouth is a good bit, but if he leans on your hand, you may want to try something like a d ring copper roller, or a regular cherry roller.

Answer 7

I had the exact same problem with my horse, I was constantly carrying his head! I tried changing his bit & spoke to a Myler consultant (info on Mylers here - http://www.toklat.com/Myler/About%20Myle... about the specific problems I was having & bought a new bit for my horse. It helped for a little while but he'd go back to his old habits quickly so I had one of the top trainers in Australia come out & check him out & she advised me to use a market harborough (info here - http://www.horseproblems.com.au/market_h... I've left it on the slackest level & never gone up in levels as he's an old hack & I don't want to put any strain on him but it basically stops him from being able to pull the reins out of my hands & makes him 'responsible for the weight of his own head'. It's worked wonders for me & as long as you read up about it & use it correctly then hopefully it'll work wonders for you too. Eventually you can take it off your horse & won't have to use it anymore as it's just a training aid.

Happy horse riding :)

Answer 8

You have no leverage with that bit hon! I would recommend a bit with longer shanks and a twisted mouth piece. if you want breaks and more control go with that. hope i helped