looking for a new bit?

[Jamie-Lee]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#IMG src="/richedit/smileys/cry.gif"#ed_cl#I'm looking for a new bit for my horse because it seem the three that i ahve tryed he doesn't listin to. i'm doing hunter with my horse and right now i ride him in a eggbut with copper. with this bit he will kepp his mouth close for me but when it comes in asking him to lower his head he won't listen to me. and i have been told by so many people saying ( if you can get yout horse to round you would do so much better) well i know that. but im finding he's not listen to the bit that in his mouth. and i have tryed a frech link and a saffle and with these two he opens his mouth and doesn't liten. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#and yes i do work with draw reins and side  reins but as soon as i take them off he don't listen to me. if any one can help please.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Jamie and Sonny#ed_op#IMG src="/richedit/smileys/cry.gif"#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Mystic]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Jamie,#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#You could try a slotted Kimblewick where you can play with the rein location to add or remove curb pressure. Also I don't understand what you mean by 'round' since most hunters have more of a flat frame to them than a dressage horse or a jumper horse. To get a horse to 'round' for you they need to be working from behind but most hunter judges prefer that the horse is more on their forehand than truly through from behind. (Just my experience with a level 3 hunter coach/judge who hated my dressage trained horse's frame)#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[ArabJumper]

Hmmmm? Can you get him to frame without any bit in his mouth? I had a
horse with a very low pallette once and he could only go in thin bits,
most bigs were too big for his mouth.

[Rapla Farms]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Sounds to me like it might be a training issue and not a bit issue.  So often, when things don't go our way, we look to the bit for the answer.  Now, sometimes it will make a difference.  But, I would say try some different techniques to get your horse to come more round before changing the bit.  Use half halts, try circles and transitions to see if that makes your horse more willing to come round.  Also, make sure you're riding him off your seat and not your hands.  This is strictly my opinion, so take it for what its worth.  Ultimately, its your decision, but I would work more on riding him to get him round before you move to a stronger bit.  My 2 cents....#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[EatMyDust]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#hmmm... i have a a d ring bit, with little copper things in the middle that turn when my horse plays with them, its also create for control. Ill find out what it is.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#It works wonders.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Sodapoppers]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT color=#0060bf#ed_cl#You are thinking of a D ring w/ copper roller. That's what it's called lol  How old is your horse?  If you are having problems with him opening his mouth or totally trying to avoid the bit, you may what to have his teeth checked, or try riding him with halter nad reins if you are confident  you will finish in one piece . #ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[*Giddy Up*]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#I would also have a look at his teeth and mouth if he won't keep his mouth closed- rule that out first. Perhaps he needs a float, or as said, could have a low palatte or something similar that needs to be dealt with.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#You could consider a flash to help keep the mouth closed. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#How do you ask your horse to put it's head down? Also as said, maybe you need a different approach to asking for your horse's head first.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Do you have a coach, or someone on the ground who can watch your horse and your move? Alot of times, a person on the ground can see things we can't when we ride.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#Hey, just because you ride hunter doesn't mean you ride your horse on it's forehand!#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[Jamie-Lee]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#thanks to you all that reply to my bit prolme, to anwers some of you quetions. heaar it goes , i have no coach right now looking, my horse is 19 year old when i got him he was 16 and did nothing is his life was just borke to ride. i ask my horse to frame but legs in to hand that how i was taught to ride. i do ride lots of circles and transtions with him. and half halts to. hope that help you guys out.#ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#jamie #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[*rickie*]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Tahoma color=#c080ff size=4#ed_cl#Jaime, if you are riding your horse properly from his hind end forward, then the bit wouldn't be the thing that needs to be stronger. The "frame" comes from your horse moving forward from the impulsion from his hind end, up over, and through his spine to his head, into steady contact, which thus makes him put his head down. So a stronger bit will not help with that. I would say to work on more forward, into steady contact.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Tahoma color=#c080ff size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Tahoma color=#c080ff size=4#ed_cl#When you say that you work with side reins and draw reins and that you get the desired result, that sets light bulbs off in my head that you don't have a steady, consistant contact doing, as that's what the side reins will offer, that you don't. If you are using them correctly of coarse.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Tahoma color=#c080ff size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Tahoma color=#c080ff size=4#ed_cl#I would say finding a coach would be your best bet, or at least a friend who knows what to look for standing on the ground with you.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Tahoma color=#c080ff size=4#ed_cl##ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl# #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#DIV#ed_cl##ed_op#FONT face=Tahoma color=#c080ff size=4#ed_cl#Of coarse, these are just my suggests, based on the assumption that you horse is all health and well.#ed_op#/FONT#ed_cl##ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#

[graciespook]

#ed_op#DIV#ed_cl#The thing that bothers me are the draw reins and side reins.. Pitch them out. They are probably only putting your horse's head in a false frame anyway. Draw reins and side reins are tools to be used once the horse understands what you want from them, and to be used by experienced riders. You can do so much damage if you don't know how to use them correctly. If he's newly broke, consider investing in a good coach to help you out. The OEF website ( #ed_op#A href="http://www.horse.on.ca"#ed_cl#www.horse.on.ca#ed_op#/A#ed_cl# ) has a list of active, certified coaches that can help you along and teach you how to build on the basics. We've covered this topic so many times, with trying to bring the head down..its not about the head, its about the whole package. #ed_op#/DIV#ed_cl#