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New Bit for Hot Gelding?

4K views 37 replies 7 participants last post by  caseymyhorserocks 
#1 ·
I need to get a new bit for my gelding who is an arabian x rocky mountain. He has always gotten strong while jumping. A few years back I had him in a single jointed kimberwick and he was so amazing. But after getting a HJ who made me use and o-ring, single jointed snaffle instead, he began rushing jumps worse and worse. The last time I conditioned him at what was supposed to be a canter, turned into an out of control gallop. I applied so many half halts and alot of little pulls every stride, which only made a slight difference until I stopped, where he would speed right back up. He is great at dressage in the o-ring, but jumping is a different story. I am not looking for a quick fix but I want to have something in my hands in case he does turn off his brakes.

Has anyone ever used this bit?
Myler Low Port Comfort Snaffle Horse Bit MB 04 | Dover Saddlery
 
#3 ·
Just to get my facts straight, you were made to switch from a kimerwick to a loose ring snaffle?? That's a pretty big switch. The loose ring component alone of the snaffle might be your problem. A lot of horse hate how those slide around in their mouth and pinch their lips. At the very least, I would switch to an egg butt version of whatever bit you choose over a loose ring. I don't recommend D-rings for your problem since that style tends to give something for the horse to brace against. I'm also not a big fan of single jointed snaffles. They can have a nutcracker effect in the mouth which most horses also hate. Something with a french link or middle lozenge piece seems to be accepted by most horses.

As for the bit you're looking at, I can't get the link to open so I cannot comment. If your horse has a fat tongue, he very well might be more comfy in a low port pit which would provide some tongue relief. Any bit is going to give you more control than a loose ring single joint snaffle, so anything will be better than what you're using now.
 
#5 ·
My old trainer told me to use the o-ring for dressage. He is content with all bits, and the o-ring works fine for him in ring work, I just need something with a little "pop" for jumping. The bit I linked has a similar port as the one you pictured, except it has starps below and above the nose. I guess it puts more pressure on the poll and nose.

Here a link to a screenshot of the bit I am looking at:
http://db.tt/AbYvREb1
There is one with another ring at the bottom for another leverage option.
 
#6 ·
Unfortunately, quick fixes are exactly that- quick. For lasting change, it seems like he needs some re-schooling somewhere in his foundation. Is getting back to some basics an option? I agree with the person earlier that stated that going from a kimberwicke to an o-ring was a big change- seems like the kibmerwicke was already used as a bit of a crutch and could have covered up some deficiencies in his training. Just my two cents :)
 
#8 ·
I hate hate hate the kimberwick. I used it for eq clases in 4h, when I had him trained to go slow and be exact with transitions. Also, I believe he was still somewhat "babying" me since I was still learning. At a certain point when I got braver over bigger jumps he switched into rushing and not caring. I actually did a huntseat class last year with him in the kimberwick, where he was out of control. After that class I switched to the Oring and he automatically started responded. He gets too dependent on the chain on the kimberwick, and I ruined his mouth quite badly when I had very heavy hands. Long story short, I would take my anger out through my hands which created nervousness, his being scared and sometimes rearing. I have fixed my problem for the most part but I still rarely get heavy on my hands, jerking, where I automatically release everything and get him to do good laps, and stop so I don't reverse his training furer.

I am reschooling him over poles now and lots and lots of circles/figure eights/serpentines for balancing. It's been almost 3 years since I transitioned bits.
 
#7 ·
Yes, you would have to use that o ring for dressage, but for jumping is there any reason you can't go back to that kimberwicke?

The Myler combo you posted is an excellent bit IMO. It'll give you the added nose pressure as well as the little bit of gag, which will give him "warning" and allow him the option to respond to the poll and lip pressure before it fully engages with the leverage. The mouthpiece is very nice as well. Not nearly the same action however as the comfort snaffle posted.

I do disagree however with Puck about everything giving you more control than a loose ring single joint snaffle. Single joints are harsher than something with a lozenge, so it will take less, but I do agree that some horses do not like the nutcracker action of the mouthpiece. As well as that, when you pick up on a single jointed snaffle, as it pinches the tongue it will also press up on the palate. If he has a shallow palate, he won't like that at all and probably won't like ports either. Even with that though, a single jointed kimberwicke will do the same thing.

The comfort snaffle Puck posted as well is a wonderful, wonderful bit that I use often but you won't get any extra out of it than you have with the single jointed loose ring, unless he's running away with you because he hates the feeling of it...Which I highly doubt if he is fine with it in dressage.

I consider jumping horses on the same lines as the barrel horses I ride. It's something that is going to give them an adrenaline rush, and they will get stronger. A snaffle is not a fix-all, ride-in-all bit for horses like this. I always bit up to ride my barrel horses. You can ride light with more bit and have the extra if you need it, but if your horse is strong in a snaffle you'll have more yanking and pulling to do if you get into trouble and need to keep yourself safe. And trust me - Some horses will NOT listen to one when they learn how easy it is to pull through you, and there's nothing you can physically do to stop them sometimes.

Some other options, besides the myler combo and the kimberwicke:

Draw gag, I would not suggest this bit if your horse gets heavy on the forehand. Otherwise, it's great, and I use one often as well. That's just the image, you'll have to buy the cheekpieces and bit seperately I think.

Nunn Finer Rope Gag Cheeks | Dover Saddlery


Either of these Ovation Elevator bits are excellent as well. The one with more rings gives you more leverage.

Ovation Elite Center Oval 2-Ring Elevator Bit | Dover Saddlery

Ovation Elite Center Oval 3-Ring Elevator Bit | Dover Saddlery

Good luck!
 
#9 ·
As I responded to the other person, with the kimberwick he ignores it even more. He became dependent on the chain, and I would teetertotter it to set his head and control his speed. He doesn't listen any other way on it.
Also, I really don't like the looks of the elevator bits. I see way too many hot xc horses in them, when he really doesn't need that much. He has gotten a hard mouth before from me, and I don't want the chance of doing that again. (Read my other response)

Also, I used to run him barrels for my school eq team where I would use a twisted wire bit with 1/4" gag, which I barely touched and he listened. (i only use it for the shoulder lift)


I really like the combination bit I posted. I am looking for sites to rent it just to try it. I really hope I find something soon, my first 3day event is in 2 months
 
#14 ·
Any other reasons why you don't like the elevator bits? They really aren't very harsh at all and probably cheaper than a Myler you'll find at the tack shop. That's just my advice anyway.
 
#18 ·
Money isn't really a concern to get a good bit.

I don't really like anything that moves up in his mouth. I had a 1/4" Short Gag Big by Professional's Choice, and I only used it for barrels to lift his shoulder around the turns. I purposefully kept it low in his mouths, for even when I pulled the reins, the gag wouldn't be really doing anything.

This might sound kinda stupid, but he gives too much with a bit with a lot of gag action. With only a 1/4" he would tuck his head to his chest, and I certainly don't want that. In my original post I meant to put that I want a bit or combination that focuses less on his mouth, and more on his nose and head.

I could be completely wrong on how the elevator bit works, but from how the 1/4" gag worked, I can imagine they work similar.
 
#21 ·
If you have the money, then by all means go for it. I have two Myler combos myself, the three ring and the one you posted that I use.

I'm kind of a bit hoarder to be honest. That's the thing about us primary barrel racers, we've got a bit for everything!

The combos both have gag as well but you are right that the elevator has a lot of it. I like gags because they don't immediately go to full action. They'll ease into it. However, I wouldn't put them low hanging in the mouth like you said, otherwise you'll have to pull a LOT to get the full action if you need it. I use them on naturally lifty horses because they will put on more poll pressure that I often see putting horses on the forehand if they don't have that natural shoulder lift and drive from behind. If I have a horse who doesn't lift quite as well I'll do a tiny bit of gag (Like the combos) or a fixed shank.

A good thing to do with horses who do these types of events (Like the jumping and the barrel racing) is keep that "Go-time" bit and the "Slow-time" bit seperate...My mare does both the reining and the barrel racing, so she knows what we're doing depending on the bit. I'm sure your horse would pick up on that easily after he learns you will only jump in that combo bit.
 
#22 ·
I totally know about the bit for everything! I have a hack for trail riding, a twisted wire for barrels, oring for dressage, and more! I probably will get the combo I was looking at and make sure he still understands that he has to listen in it!
 
#33 ·
What do you do when you've jumped the course? Is there something he's looking forward to? It sounds like he's hurrying to get this done with so he can ????. Perhaps do the course in reverse order and keep changing it up. Another thing, how softly do you regain your seat after a jump?
 
#36 ·
He has had chiropractic work done, and has a fitting saddle. His anticipation of pain is probably worried about me lacking a release, or when my friend would fly in the air when he would jump since she doesnt know how. Lunging he has no problem, but free jumping he rushes them
 
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