What bit would be good for a horse who is strong on hacks?

Answer 1

Answer on stronger bits for hackingStraining a horse up in a strong bit is not the first thing you do when you find that he is too strong for you - powerful bits force the horse to submit rather than asking him to.

It really depends on what he's doing wrong. If he tosses his head up and down to evade the bit, using a stronger bit may not help because he has learned positions in which he can barely feel it. Using a strong bit will require him to exaggerate them more and worsen the habit. Using a martingale sometimes means that you can stay in the snaffle - I knew a horse that tossed his head and held behind the bit who was basically cured with a drop noseband and a martingale.

If he's bolting for a reason, maybe he just needs to be calmed down a bit more instead of using a very firm bit. A powerful bit like a ported curb or a spade can seriously damage a horse's mouth (not to mention making him very miserable) in inexperienced or careless hands.

Using a very strong bit like a gag on a high-strung horse can sometimes send them over the edge also, or serve to make them either mean or broken-hearted.

If you do find you need a stronger bit - well, this is a question for trial and error! Depending on how your horse gets strong (whether he goes behind the bit and bolts off, or just starts leaning on it) you will need different bits. If he is quite strong in the neck and tend to hold his head up high, a curb chain helps - a pelham or kimblewick. I work best with pelhams as you can put 2 reins and really use the curb when you need it rather than at all times! The curb helps to horse to soften and give a great brake! Be careful not to hang on to a curb though as horses can quickly learn to lean on them too! (so basically - half halt work well with curbs) For a horse that drops and goes behind the bit, a dutch gag or simple gag is most useful. These help keep the head at an even level. Some horses go great with a baucher, but make sure you NEVER put a strong horse who leans on the bit in a french link . Horses have a very strong tendency to lean on these!(sorry - never say never, but my personal experience is such!) so no french link gag or any such things! If the horse is very strong, then a double bridle is also a solution.

Whatever the problem, remember that it's not the strenght of the bit that will mess your hrose's mouth up, but the hands that use this, so carefull with these, and think half halts when you use a strong bit, not yaaaaank!

hope this helps!

I have always found that a jointed pelham rather than a fixed one works well on horses that are used to a snaffle because it offers them the familiar feeling of a snaffle, with the extra control of the curb chain and the poll pressure. It is also not as strong as a fixed pelham. Sometimes, going from a light bit to a very strong one can cause more problems than you had to begin with. For an excellent point of reference, see a book by Tom Roberts called Horse Control And The Bit.

I used a 3 ring gag on my old pony on the second ring, who had worn a snaffle before. It really depends how your pony goes, ask someone experienced (like an instructor) who has seen your horse's way of going what they think. If you use a curb chain, they only need to be quite loose to work. I know how you feel, generally if you relax and drop your contact a little your pony will relax a bit too. Being tense will make him worse and if you hang off his mouth he will just lean back and ignore you. Talking to him sometimes helps. Happy hacking, hope it goes well.

I wouldn't go up. Indeed, i'd go down, to a bitless bridle. Bits cause pain, which cause lots of problems. Indeed, over a hundred as counted by Dr. Robert Cook

Answer 2

It really just depends on the type of personality your horse has. Some horses may need to have a bit that's a little more tough on their mouth while others do not. Some horse don't even need a bit to be rode. Many people use hackmores which is almost like a halter. It fits over the nose like a halter. Your best bet is to get to know the horse and see what it personality is maybe try riding with a halter and seeing how that goes for you. There are so many types of bits to choose from sometimes it hard to find the right one. For training I would try the D ring Snaffle bit. It worked really well for me Just always make sure that the bit you by is going to fit right other wise you may encounter problems. Hope this helped sorry if It didnt.

Answer 3

a snaffle is good for most horses with the correct training but other bits that all move differently, are also used. if you ride English, shanks aren't a good look, hence the "cumberwick" it is a halfmoon curb that is controlled by a English looking ring. there is no curb strap needed but are used in some cases

if you ride western however a tomthumb or tom tom can be used, these are gentle bits and are very humane

Answer 4

This will mainly depend on what type of riding you do. If you don't compete and don't have to comply with show rules then a double jointed snaffle with either a loose ring, eggbutt or dee ring design will probably be best, and rubber mouth pieces are more gentle than metals, but copper mouth pieces encourage salivation. If you show or prefer a western curb bit, then a grazing style bit with a copper or sweet iron mouth and short shanks will be softest.

Answer 5

First off you should asses the horse and figure out why it's leaning on the bit in the first place. it could be a balance issue, training issue, or even a health problem. Get an equine Veterinarian to come out and check the horse, if everything checks out OK, then have a more experienced horse person or trainer watch you ride, whether in the ring out out on a hack. They will be able to tell you if anything is wrong. Then if need be you can change to a different bit.

Answer 6

You'll get many answers to this question. Some will be very anti-bit, while others will be pro-bit, and some in-between.

The horse will need further training if it gets strong while out hacking. It should not have to go up to a stronger bit. I suggest taking lessons with a qualified trainer to see what the issue is, it could be the horse, or it could be the rider.
A way to help calm down a horse is to work on half halts and downward transitions. If the horse does not like to turn then serpentines and spirals will work well.


If the trainer suggests a stronger bit then I would go from there. If the horse is a bit hard to turn then a full cheek in various mouthpieces might be best.

For a horse that is just a tad too forward then maybe something with a slight twist to the mouthpiece, but only if you have soft, gentle hands.

Answer 7

A bit such as a kimberwhick or hackmore should be sufficient.

Answer 8

there are many different types of bits, but the d-ring and egg-butt are the most popular among horses. it really depends on the horse though