My horse is a retired polo pony with a habit of bolting, especially outdoors. He was ridden in a gag bit, but when I got him I decided to see how he went in a loose ring snaffle. I got him to do light dressage (we're both learning) and trail-riding.
Unfortunately, the snaffle doesn't seem to be very effective with him. He has a lot of go, and not a lot of whoa, and he's been ignoring the snaffle. His gait of choice ranges in between fast canter and mad gallop. He's flat-out bolted on me on the trail a few times, of course in a narrow part where I couldn't do a one-rein stop. His bolts aren't caused by spooks or fear, he just really wants to run, so he tucks his head, braces against the bit, and takes off to relive his racetrack glory days. It's not such a big deal in the arena, where I can use circles and lateral work to slow him down and make him think, but it's a big safety issue out on the trail.
I've been advised to go back to the gag bit, which I've ridden him in before, in polo matches. I would use double reins, and try to rely on the snaffle action as much as possible. But gag bits seem to have a pretty nasty reputation, so I'd like some feedback, and maybe other alternatives as well.
Just for extra info, because I'm sure I'll get asked this, he gets daily turnout into a 30 acre pasture for the entire day. He's fed mainly a mix of pasture grass, timothy hay and alfalfa, and I also give him Equine Senior as he is a hard keeper. I ride about 4 days a week, for an hour or longer, and I work with a dressage trainer. He's a 20 year old OTTB that doesn't realize that he is an old man!
Sparrow: No worries! I didn't infer from your answer that I didn't have the right feel. Of course, it's quite possible that I don't have it
. I don't want to be the rider that automatically goes to a harsher bit to remedy my own riding inadequacies. I always appreciate constructive criticism, and the last thing I want to do is injure my horse's mouth or cause him pain. At the same time I want to keep him and I safe.
Unfortunately, the snaffle doesn't seem to be very effective with him. He has a lot of go, and not a lot of whoa, and he's been ignoring the snaffle. His gait of choice ranges in between fast canter and mad gallop. He's flat-out bolted on me on the trail a few times, of course in a narrow part where I couldn't do a one-rein stop. His bolts aren't caused by spooks or fear, he just really wants to run, so he tucks his head, braces against the bit, and takes off to relive his racetrack glory days. It's not such a big deal in the arena, where I can use circles and lateral work to slow him down and make him think, but it's a big safety issue out on the trail.
I've been advised to go back to the gag bit, which I've ridden him in before, in polo matches. I would use double reins, and try to rely on the snaffle action as much as possible. But gag bits seem to have a pretty nasty reputation, so I'd like some feedback, and maybe other alternatives as well.
Just for extra info, because I'm sure I'll get asked this, he gets daily turnout into a 30 acre pasture for the entire day. He's fed mainly a mix of pasture grass, timothy hay and alfalfa, and I also give him Equine Senior as he is a hard keeper. I ride about 4 days a week, for an hour or longer, and I work with a dressage trainer. He's a 20 year old OTTB that doesn't realize that he is an old man!
Sparrow: No worries! I didn't infer from your answer that I didn't have the right feel. Of course, it's quite possible that I don't have it
. I don't want to be the rider that automatically goes to a harsher bit to remedy my own riding inadequacies. I always appreciate constructive criticism, and the last thing I want to do is injure my horse's mouth or cause him pain. At the same time I want to keep him and I safe.