I'm looking for a dressage-legal bit for my mare. She's a draft cross and we are starting eventing now, transitioning from equitation/jumpers. She LOVES the change, but we are having trouble finding a flat bit that works for the dressage ring. I'll try to be brief but here's some info about her:
For jumping, we ride in a pelham and it is the best thing since sliced bread. She loves to jump and gets strong as we go, so I needed some curb action and she wasn't a fan at all of the elevator. I can now ride her around a course even XC with the lightest contact, and just an occasional half halt to get her back to me when she is strong. Seriously, the pelham is the best.
Unfortunately, not legal in the dressage ring! So back to flat bits... We have tried:
- regular D-ring broken snaffle (she barely cares it's there and hangs on it)
- D-ring corkscrew (not a fan of this, nor am I... just made her angry)
- D-ring Dr. Bristol (no change from snaffle)
- D-ring Waterford (she hated it, pulled and chewed and totally annoyed)
- full cheek broken snaffle (full cheeks pinch her WIDE face)
- D-ring copper roller snaffle (same as snaffle)
- Eggbutt level 2 Myler (initially OK, but after 2 rides it was same as snaffle)
- same Myler but with hooks (not a fan, pulled against it)
I think that's all. I generally ride with a VERY light hand (I can actually ride around WTC without reins on her if I chose, just wouldn't collect very easily!) but when I'm trying to collect and move her up into the bit, she just seems to hang on the bits I tried. She doesn't want to give, and I've had some lessons and had friends/trainers try her too and they agree. I've been riding a long time so I know how to frame and move her correctly without just 'pulling her head down'. I'd just like something where I can get her to soften without hanging on my hand or in some cases, she will even pull against me.
Sorry this is lengthy, any suggestions are welcome!!
For jumping, we ride in a pelham and it is the best thing since sliced bread. She loves to jump and gets strong as we go, so I needed some curb action and she wasn't a fan at all of the elevator. I can now ride her around a course even XC with the lightest contact, and just an occasional half halt to get her back to me when she is strong. Seriously, the pelham is the best.
Unfortunately, not legal in the dressage ring! So back to flat bits... We have tried:
- regular D-ring broken snaffle (she barely cares it's there and hangs on it)
- D-ring corkscrew (not a fan of this, nor am I... just made her angry)
- D-ring Dr. Bristol (no change from snaffle)
- D-ring Waterford (she hated it, pulled and chewed and totally annoyed)
- full cheek broken snaffle (full cheeks pinch her WIDE face)
- D-ring copper roller snaffle (same as snaffle)
- Eggbutt level 2 Myler (initially OK, but after 2 rides it was same as snaffle)
- same Myler but with hooks (not a fan, pulled against it)
I think that's all. I generally ride with a VERY light hand (I can actually ride around WTC without reins on her if I chose, just wouldn't collect very easily!) but when I'm trying to collect and move her up into the bit, she just seems to hang on the bits I tried. She doesn't want to give, and I've had some lessons and had friends/trainers try her too and they agree. I've been riding a long time so I know how to frame and move her correctly without just 'pulling her head down'. I'd just like something where I can get her to soften without hanging on my hand or in some cases, she will even pull against me.
Sorry this is lengthy, any suggestions are welcome!!