Horse Tack

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

You have:

• The Bit - the thing that goes in the horses mouth
• Head Piece - the thing that goes behind the horses ears
• Brow Band - the thing that goes in front of the horses ears
• Cheek Pieces - the things that go down the side of the horses head
• Nose Band - the thing that goes across the horses muzzle
• Throat Lash - the thing that kind of goes by the horses throat
• Reins - the thing that you steer with

Hope this helps

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Here are parts of the tack, such as the saddle. Here is a list of just where these parts are:

Saddle (Starting at the pommel and working back, then down.)

Pommel: The rise at the front of the saddle. This rise fits with the shape of the horse's withers so the saddle does not rub the skin raw or cause a rash.

Skirt: The flap of leather that covers the stirrup bar (under the saddle flap.)

Waist: The space of leather between the seat and the pommel.

Seat: The dip in the saddle's top line, called the seat, is where the rider sits.

Cantle: The rise at the back of the saddle.

Surcingle Loop: The rider may place the free end of the stirrup leather through the loop, or may let it hang down.

Saddle Flap: The flap of leather covering the stirrup leather and the girth buckle.

Stirrup Leather: A sturdy strap of leather that the stirrup hangs from. Underneath the skirt, the stirrup leathers are attached to metal stirrup bars.

Stirrup Iron: The stirrup irons support the rider's leg and helps them balance.

Girth Strap: This strap secures the saddle to the horse, it is attached at one side of the saddle, loops under the horse's girth and attaches on the other side.

Knee Roll: The knee roll provides some support and padding under the rider's knee.

Bridle (Starting at the head piece and working down)

Head Piece: This fits over the horse's head just behind the horse's ears, at the poll. It is the strap that holds the other parts of the bridle in place.

The Throat Latch: This is a long leather strap running under the horse's throat.

Cheek Piece: On most English bridles, two cheek pieces attach to each side of the head piece and run down the cheekbone and attach to the bit. The cheek piece usually consists of two cinches, one supporting the bit, and one, the Nose Band.

The Brow Band: This forms a right angle with the head piece, the ears position inside the two straps.

The Nose Band: The band around the horse's muzzle. To this, is attached the cheek piece, and the bit lies beneath it.

The Bit. The piece of metal in the horse's mouth, used for controlling the horse's head.

The Reins: These are long strips of leather attached to the bit, aiding the rider in controlling the animal.