[BOE]

What bit works the best with your Arab? French link (because of shallow mouth)? Does anyone use Richard Shrake's bits? Rollers to play with? What do you use?

[Shotgun93]

The type of bit you choose should depend on the horse, not the breed. If the horse has a smaller, shallow mouth, then you don't want to use a big thick bit. Choose a bit that works with the individual horse - training level, mouth configuration, riders hands, ect.

As for Richard Shrakes bits, I am not totally sold on them. Some of them are okay, but I don't like the sweet spot bit, especially for a horse with a small mouth or low palate. And, even though he says that the bits are well-balanced, his loose ring snaffle isn't well balanced and much heavier than I would want to put in a young horses mouth.

[Sandra-A1]

I wish it was that easy!
Just say that one or two bits works best with Arabains...or any horse for that matter...but that is simply not the case.
Selecting a bit is a matter of guesswork, trial and error...and for some people...habit.
In all my years I have seen as well as used all sort of different bits on horses. Some bits that I would not care for, I discovered that the horse preferred and was happiest wearing and working in.

Everyone seems to have their own theory about what mouthpiece to use and when.....and their reasons behind the use of each piece are as variable as the weather. But, until the rider understands the action of the bit and where the horse feels pressure, it will not be a matter of finding the right bit, but knowing how to use it.
What I suggest is to learn all you can about the horse's mouth along with bits and how they work.
The following is a good start:
http://www.horsebit.com/choosing.htm

and this one too:
http://www.foxhunter.on.ca/tackshop/.../AboutBits.htm

There are MANY more site online that have great information with photos and diagrams that you will find really helpful!
Education and observation is the key to selecting the right bit for your horse...with some horses you find yourself trying a lot of different ones before you find the one that is right. With other horses you get it right the first time...with horses you never know!
That is why I have so many bits and never pass up the chance to aquire another!

[MyY0Y0]

Originally Posted by Shotgun93

The type of bit you choose should depend on the horse, not the breed.

My thought exactly. It really depends on your horse. You may even need to experiment around with different bits to find the perfect one, though when searching for one, you should really have your horse in mind.

[HorseObsession]

Yes, depinatley search untill you find one that is good for both you and your horse. My horse wears a loose ring french snaffle. Thats just the way he is.

[CJ]

I use a 3 piece snaffle (full cheek) with a roller on the middle, and a soft runbber mouth curb, no port, for western. However I is also own/ use a relatively heavy low/no port curb, mostly reserved for showing, for when Raps was being a lil bit of a nervous knucklehead.

[Jennie'sPassion]

My Sunshine is a small horse with a small mouth and I use a curb bit. My dad always uses curbs or tom thumb bits. I like the curb because it gives control without to much pressure and it allows the horse to eat. If I could get away with it I wouldn't use a bit at all but Sunshine won't stop without one. I admire people and horses that can go bitless.

[BOE]

Thank you all. I know, of course, that the bit should be chosen for spec. horse not breed. The reason I ask that question is - I heard many times that Arabs has a tendency to play with the bit a lot, they have small, shallow mouth, tendency to go behind the bit etc. Statist. speaking a lot of them somehow end up with double broken snaffle, not just single broken (nutcraker effect). But I agree bit ultimately should be chosen for particular horse. I just wonder, maybe some bits end up in Arabs more often that the others.

[Shotgun93]

The reason why arabs probably have that rep is because people put bits in their mouths that are two big, or not the right type for the training on the horse, and therefore, they play with the bit, or try to avoid it.

[summersmyhorse]

Yes, Shotgun exactly! I know because I have an Arab who was abused (& spoiled)& just generally mis-handled by ignorant/inexperienced people. Because of this I have to work at getting him to accept any bit. He had the "wrong" bits shoved into his mouth, then got yanked around so that now he wants nothing to do with any bit. He does have a very shallow mouth--I have looked in there & there's not really a lot of room for a bit--the one time I used a bit on him with a rubber covered mouthpiece--but it was too "thick" for him. Before I ever got on his back--he was gaping his mouth open & you could tell that when his mouth was shut it had to be uncomfortable--imagine putting a thick stick (like maybe a broom handle)or similar item in your own mouth, then closing your lips around it--and you get an idea of how it might feel to them. And he was also ridden with bits that slammed into the (low)roof of his mouth. It's no wonder he has "issues" with accepting a bit in his mouth! Yes, you really need to know how a particular bit works in action, plus the way it fits & moves in your own particular horse. Good luck.