What bit do i used to get my horse to respond?

Question

My 12 year old mare is not as respondsive as i like i want to teach her to carry her head lower and collect up. I started with a d ring snaffle bit and it just isnt working. Any ideas???? Thanks

Answer 1

i used to ride western with a tom thumb snaffle, but my horse is fast and needs something more for regular western classes. for those, as well as one of our favorites(reining), we use a correction bit. it is rough, however, so try the tom thumb. for racing we just use a sliding hack or a hackamore gag for light pressure and response. if you are going english, try an eggbutt snaffle. its required for some of my classes, and otherwise i use a kimberwick.

Answer 2

Without knowing you or your horse I would guess the snaffle is fine and that you need to be patient. Try some upwards and downwards transitions (halt to walk, walk to trot, trot to halt etc) in order to get her attentive and light. Collecting a horse up takes a lot of work beforehand. By collecting you are trying to lighten and lift the forehand by bringing both ends of the horse together. This can be difficult for some horses due to physical and training limitations.
Before a horse can collect up properly she needs to be on the bit and moving forward off her hind end. Do not make the mistake of forcing her up onto the bit - called riding front to back - you want to do the oppisite and ride her 'back to front' as the horse needs to be working off the hind end in order to collect. For collection you need impulsion and engagement and the horse must have good lateral and vertical flexion to achieve those both.
Once you have her listening and her transitions crisp try collecting her at the walk.
Subtle aids are very important - light contact and light pressure with the legs.
Using your seat ask her to move forward into a purposeful - but not to fast - walk. Ask her to move forward (create impusion) with a very light even leg pressure but hold back her forehand by maintaining the light contact with the bit. What you have done is created impulsion but not speed - collection. This is very basic and you may want to find some lessons in yoru area or go to a dressage show and watch riders warming up as well as riding tests. I am sure there are also some good dvd's on this aspect of riding to. Look for some.
Be patient and reward her by letting her walk on a loose rein stretching her neck. Collection is not simple and will not come overnight. Some riders and horses never achieve true collection.

Answer 3

Usually French Link snaffles are nice and soft on the horses mouth and will promote the horse to lower his head. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

I used to ride my Morgan gelding (9yrs) in a rubber D-ring, but my trainer suggested trying a loose-ring French snaffle - He's dropping his head a bit more, but it still takes a lot of work.

Before changing bits, I would talk with a trainer who has seen you ride to see what they suggest bit-wise, and they might have other tips for you to try before you switch.

I like how my horse rides in a french, but it took a lot of thought and different riding techniques before my trainer decided to have me switch.

Hope this helps! Good luck.

Answer 5

Pat her!