Why don't you try out a Kimberwicke bit? It is a English curb bit. It is not allowed in some shows, but for schooling and for trial riding it works the charm. My daughter switches from the Kimberwicke to a snaffle bit, depending on the situation. Out in the open, on cross country courses she uses the Kimberwicke for a little more control. She is a 100 pound 12 year old, and he is a 900 pound 9 year old.
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-01108
I like the ported mouth on this particular bit. We have found that the jointed bit can sometimes pinch, and will cause some high headedness or head tossing (from discomfort). You can adjust the Kimberwicke according to how much control you need, you decide where you want to attach the rein.
The chain underneath should be attached flat (unwind it until it lies flat) and allow for three fingers underneath once fastened. It does not need to be snug. In fact, once the curb chain was twisted when my daughter was riding, and we could not figure out why he kept backing up!
I also use this bit for my big ol Belgian/TB cross when we are cross county, and it works well even for a 16.1 hand powerhouse. Remember though, soft hands, no matter what bit you use. Practice first in an enclosed arena before heading out into the open.
Question for you, are you going to be switching him from neck reining to direct rein? That makes things interesting... But totally do-able. That is what I did with my first horse many years ago when I first started riding. He knew Western only, and I was taught English. It was pretty funny there for awhile! ;^)
Your Haffiefriend,
~Kiola~
Brier, WA
--- In haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com, "HRT" <hrhorses@...> wrote:
>
> I am looking at purchasing another Haffie, a gelding that is ridden in a bit
> that I am not knowledgeable with. The current owners use a low port, curb
> bit. It is the type below (hopefully the links transfer in this message).
> I've always thought of it as the cheap bit that you get with off the shelf
> lower end bridles. When they got it out to put on him I cringed in my mind.
> However, he rode very well with it.
> http://www.buytack.com/products/bits/wea/graphics-2007/25-208-np.jpg
>
>
>
> I have always used an Eggbutt snaffle. I ride two handed, use an English
> bridle. Don't show, don't have to conform to any rules of any organizations
> or such, I just prefer this bit & the English bridle. Sooo. my question is.
> how different would this type of bit (see link below) be for him if I
> switched him over.
> http://www.horsetrainingvideos.com/images/bit-gd-lowport.jpg
>
>
> I'm afraid to go to a snaffle with him since he is going so well with the
> low port curb but I've never ridden in a curb & I prefer to ride two handed.
> Could I do that with this bit? The shanks on it do swivel to allow the
> horse to escape some of the pressure, which I like, but I'm debating whether
> to just go to my mild Eggbutt snaffle. But I keep thinking, if he's going
> well in that bit, why fix something that isn't broken?
>
> Is there another option that I should consider, one that would keep the feel
> of the bit relatively the same for him, but allow me to ride two handed,
> and/or possibly allow me to not have to use a curb chain & switch my bridle
> out for a western style?
>
>
> I know this is OT somewhat, but it is for a Haflinger, so hopefully it'll be
> allowed. LOL.
>
> Stay warm everyone,
> Jen in MN
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
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