Legal bits for a puller?

[_downpour_]

Any suggestions? He goes well in a pelham, but of course, they aren't allowed!

[Bogey2]

how about finding a trainer that will teach how to ride dressage in a snaffle? The bit is not the answer to "pulling"...a good seat and a big old fashioned half-halt is a great start!

[hoopoe]

Yes this is something that is going to have to be corrected via training.

Key to getting into a snaffle, however, is making sure that is is the proper fit and size. Is it possible that the horse started setting against the bit due to the fit?

You may have to spend some time trying some different bits a week or two at a time. You horse might like a mullen mouth if he likes a pellum.

[Janet]

I would suggest doing a search (here and eleswhere) for Dr Hilary Clayton's work on bitting.

She suggests (based on floroscope (sp?) of the bit in the horse's mouth) that SOMETIMES horses pull to transfer pressure from the palate to the tongue. In that case a thin French link can help.

[Roan]

Another question would be -- is this horse really pulling, or is he reaching for the bit and chewing? Or is he reaching/chewing and then grabbing?

Often people who have not experienced this sensation or know what it's about will mistake it for pulling/snatching. If the rider pulls the bit back will frustrate and confuse the horse.

So, when and how does your horse "pull"?

Eileen

[merrygoround]

how about finding a trainer that will teach how to ride dressage in a snaffle? The bit is not the answer to "pulling"...a good seat and a big old fashioned half-halt is a great start!

He cannot pull if you are not pulling back. So, you therefore need to find a trainer who can teach you how to ride without those reins. :)

[Ambrey]

I have a puller too. Not an all the time puller, just a guy with a neck of steel that will occasionally try to yank you out of the saddle.

But the reason leverage bits aren't legal in dressage is that it's all about the training :) If you can't get 'em going in a snaffle, you can't do dressage. It would be like trying to do jumpers without leaving the ground.

(and yes, the double has a curb, but entirely different purpose!)

[STF]

I would retrain the pulling issue. Cant have a soft supple horse if he is pulling and with soft & supple being the beginning keys of the training system, well..... you defeating the purpose.

Soft and elastic movments with soft transitions. You can force a horse into it with a bit.

Is the horse pulling away from your hand? Do you have soft following hands? Are you trying to pull him together and make a fake connection when he is not strong enough to do the work. Is he protesting? Listen to your horse, he is trying to tell you something.
;)

[molliwog]

Generally, horses pull because their hind legs aren't working, and they are unbalanced in some way. Usually this is due to the fact that the rider is not using their core and legs effectively, and is trying to hold the horse in front with their hands.

And unfortunately, I've seen some rather well-known "dressage" trainers tell folks that they need a bigger, stronger bit to help.

If you have a horse that does pull, please seek some help from a qualified instructor to help you work through this. You will get some helpful advice from this board, but nothing can replace educated eyes on the ground.....

[_downpour_]

I appreciate the advice, but I don't want a riding lesson, I just want my question answered.
Are bouchers allowed, they have poll action, but I have seen them being used?

[Donella]

I think there are some occassions where a horse wants to pull despite correct training...ie evading the half halt by opening the mouth and bracing against it. I have encountered a horse like this and as "foo foo'ed" as it is we used a crank on her and after a few weeks the problem was corrected and now she is working correctly in her thickish french link kk ultra in a normal cavesson.

Sorry though I don't know much about legalities. Maybe a thinner snaffle without the french link?

[jodyb]

Yes, USEF rules allow a boucher (with appropriate mouthpiece, like a snaffle or french link).

[luise]

I have a QH/Belgian cross that I do lower level eventing with. For the past year I have been searching for a dressage bit. He tends to lean on the bit and gets heavy in front. The past few months I've been using a fulmer bit which seems to be the one! I also noticed that with a thinner bit, he is less likely to lean on it. It has been easier teaching him to carry himself and move from behind. He was going before in a thickish loose ring french link snaffle, which just made him get heavy.

[Miss-O]

I appreciate the advice, but I don't want a riding lesson, I just want my question answered.
Are bouchers allowed, they have poll action, but I have seen them being used?

A boucher does not have poll action if it did it would be a curb bit. Which is why the USDF has them classified as a snaffle and allowed in competition.

Bits with rings that are unstable, like a loose ring or fulmer can help (in addition to training/correct riding) with a puller. Also bits that have thinner mouthpieces and french links.

[carolprudm]

I appreciate the advice, but I don't want a riding lesson, I just want my question answered.
Are bouchers allowed, they have poll action, but I have seen them being used?

They don't act on the poll, that is a common misconception. In order to work on the poll a bit has to have a fixed point to attach the rein, in addition to the point where the bit attaches to the cheek. (A gag works because the rein goes right to the poll, no fixed points, but that's not legal either)

Horses do have their preferences about bits, though, depending on the size of their tongue and height of the roof of their mouth. Contrary to the popular wisdom a fat mouthpiece is not always better especially if they have a fat tongue.

Try other bits, including a Myler Comfort Snaffle but do bear in mind that he can't pull unless you give him something to pull against..