Breaking Section A to drive but which bit???

[lisadundee]

Hi ive decided to have my daughters section A mare broken to drive So I can take her out driving whilst I'm pregnant, but not sure what bit she should be in, she's currently ridden in a Wilky snaffle and has a soft mouth and is very light in the hand, I don't want to make her mouth hard and am just wanting some opinions please?? Thanks

[crazyshetlandlady]

I have always just driven in their normal bits.

[Sam]

Me too, used to drive mine in a snaffle

[globetrotter]

Driving has its Specialist Bits as you are asking the pony to do a diffrent job of work, with three basic driving bits, the Wilson snaffle, the Liverpool, and the Elbow bit, all these bits have various forms of rein positions for your ponies comfort and way of going in harness.
Well trained and bitted driving ponies do not have hard months, it is not the bits, it is the hands at the end of the reins

[zoonie]

I would keep her in her usual bit unless you feel it isn't working.

[thecremellosociety]

Be aware you do need breaks and are much further away from the ponies head, Even the most well behaved pony can at times need something a little more, after all you are working behind them making them go forward they have to know when you stay stop you mean it, i started mine (though never put to yet) in a liverpool on the normal loop, with a very loose curb, as figured he may as well be used to it. He is ridden in a loose ring snaffle, and very light in his mouth, BUT i value my life driven and if i say stop he needs to respect whats inhis mouth ... just a thought x

[gurnos]

I use a liverpool bit on the snaffle part for all of mine. Mine seem to be very sensitive in the mouth whilst driving. The only pony I've ever had to alter the severity is a shetland pony who could be surpising strong!

[cholderton]

Globetrotter gave very good advice - you are driving the pony from behind, not riding the pony from on top, therefore you must bit the pony appropriately. If you are unsure, ask advice from a knowledgeable driving instructor/trainer.
There are many mouthpieces available for the Liverpool these days, you didn't mention if your pony wears a frenchlink type mouthpiece or a single jointed snaffle?
It is worth spending time and money to get this right in the long run, for the pony's benefit, and also your own safety.

My own Shet wears a scaled down Liverpool with a mullen mouthpiece, and I have the reins on the 'plain cheek' setting usually, which has no curb action, however, for those 'exciting' trips out where a little more control is required, I go to the next 'rough cheek' setting, and find this is quite sufficient.
When this pony is ridden, he wears a French link Wilkie, and he has a lovely soft mouth.