Does this bit exist? Suggestions

[HowDoILook]

So Im still trying to find that perfect bit that makes my pony happy, and allows me to have breaks. More for a showing bit.

I know it has to be at least double jointed, he HATES a single jointed bit. I was thinking towards a slow twist/corkscrew with a french link. In a plain french link at home he gets strong, but is stoppable. I am currently flatting and mostly jumping in a Waterford, but when he needs a reminder I use a 2-ring french link elevator.

I showed him this year in a broken piece Segunda and a Myler Half moon correction port with top hooks. The Segunda worked well, but made him lift his head more than come back and slow down, and the Myler wasn't jointed which bothered him.

Do you think the corkscrew would be too much? I ride with fairly soft reins and really only take a feel when I have too. Or should I go with a slow twist in case someone else, with possibly less soft hands (he's for sale, so possibly people coming to try him) hold on his face? Do these bits even exist?
Ive started looking lightly,but havent really done a hard core search.

Any other ideas? Do you think this is too much bit for a Large pony to show in? He has a pretty hard mouth from being used in a lesson program with too much bit. But every now and then you do need the brakes because he barrel raced for years and every now and then he likes to pretend hes doing barrels again :D

[tinah]

You might want to try a dr bristol, which is like a french link but the middle piece lies the other way, so it has a bit more "stop" to it.

[whbar158]

My horse is an old barrel horse as well. Goes best best in a 2 ring french link. His other home bit is a sprenger ultra D. I show him in the broken segunda with a martingale and tack noseband. Perfect combo for when he wants to get strong and if hes not strong I can just keep a loose rein, but have GOOD brakes incase he changes his mind (which can happen mid-course!). He can now go in just his sprenger when doing short stirrup with the little ones (2' is not exciting enough to get strong) but when the jumps get up he can still get excited (been doing hunters now almost 9 years and is 20!).

They do make twisted dr bristols but I found that he liked to lean on that some. I have 2 one that is full check and copper and a D-ring one. I think if he got strong for a kid I would put that on him as I don't want them popping him in the mouth the the segunda! But for me nothing works as well as the segunda for the hunter ring (honestly the 2-ring works the best) I can stay out of his face and have brakes as needed and control of his front end (he likes to cut corners BADLY).

On a completely unrelated note did you ever have trouble with him RUNNING into the ring?? At my first horse show with my guy we were standing at the gate and he was moving around a little but nothing bad......then they opened the gate for the other horse to go out and me to come in......I made it to the middle of the ring before I knew what happened! :lol:

[HowDoILook]

On a completely unrelated note did you ever have trouble with him RUNNING into the ring?? At my first horse show with my guy we were standing at the gate and he was moving around a little but nothing bad......then they opened the gate for the other horse to go out and me to come in......I made it to the middle of the ring before I knew what happened! :lol:

Will definitely try the tack nose band. That was another thing we were thinking of trying.

And yes, I have that problem every now and again. I show him in the jumpers in the morning, and after the first class I can only walk into the ring then go straight to the first jump because if I try to trot a circle we start cantering sideways :D He gets a little excited.

But you know hes a true all-around pony cause we can literally run out of the jumpers, through on a kids saddle and go show in leadline :lol: Then do some childrens hunters and eq in the afternoon.

[whbar158]

To answer your question about if I think that is too much bit? Sometimes a strong bit is better than a softer one if you have to HAUL on them to make them listen. Even with kids riding them, I would rather them be able to STOP and make them listen than pull pull pull and not be able to get the horse the listen (as long as they are past the beginner beginner stage, ie not popping them in the mouth consistently) That doesn't mean that sometimes he hasn't gotten popped by the older/better kids that ride him (or me for that matter) but usually that is only when he is being naughty and I don't feel as bad!

I love my little QH, he is amazing, while he is not the fanciest horse and has his issues (waaaaaaay too smart) he is pretty honest and the most fun horse I have ever ridden, and like yours can go from jumping 3'3" to showing x-rails and w/t with kids at their first show. He has helped several kids win their first blues :) Actually I think they have now won more classes than I have on him :lol:

[Jumphigh83]

I agree about the stronger bit..if they KNOW they can stop, they are not afraid to let go. :winkgrin:

[scrbear11]

I alternate my little guy who did the jumpers in a D ring slow twist Dr. Bristol and a waterford. The waterford I use only for schooling and reminds him to lighten up, I ride more regularly in the Dr. Bristol. If you decide to try the waterford beware of it with the little kids- it can be a harsh bit if used excessively.