I just bought a new horse, her old owner has used a bunch of bits but hasnt found the right one. Ineed some advice on picking a good one, she dosent have a sensitive mouth, but she throws her head and is hard to get back when running, i usually ride down the road and i needa bit more control, also ide like to have something with copper rollers mabye so shee has something else to think about when riding. thanks:)
use a D ring snaffle and a martingale
Get her teeth done by a good certified equine dentist first. That's probably most of your issues. She also probably need bit seats.
Do a lot of transition work and a lot of whoa work. When she's stopping consistently at a walk, move to the trot. A lot of whoa work will also make your half-halts more effective.
At the canter do a lot of canter to trot, canter to walk work. Work on your transitions constantly until she's relaxed in all of her gaits and not trying to charge off. This is probably going to take a few months to really get her going nicely again.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com Use a 3-piece snaffle type bit, d-ring, full cheek, eggbutt, whatever. She at least needs to be able give her head before moving up to something else. You shouldn't teach a horse to give in anything but a snaffle of some time.
To ask her to give, put light pressure on the reins, as soon as she gives (puts her head down) relax all contact on the reins. Keep repeating until you can pick the reins up and she's giving and collected. It will take awhile to keep her collected at the trot and lope as well.
My horse used to pull really bad and her mouth was pretty hard so I put her in a uxetor kimberwick with a ported mouth and shes doing perfect now:) so i would suggest that and if you're getting a martingale, i would say get a running. If you're doing hunters just dont get one because they can actually encourage pulling.
EDIT
I use double reins with the bit too so I have a snaffle and leveraged rein and it works out really well .. you can control the power.
I am not saying bits are bad or anything like that but I just think this could be another possible option for you. The link is to the home page for Dr. Cook's Bitless Bridle, they aren't right for every horse or rider but I think the are at least a good thing to try or consider.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
http://www.bitlessbridle.com/
