[Rhythm 'n Blues]

OhSoAppy -- that heaviness that you're feeling could really just be a lack of impulsion and drive from behind that has caused her to be heavier up front.

I'm very anti twisted bits, I mean really, would you want that in your mouth? I get that some people/horses need them, but I don't think that is the case with you & your mare.

[OhSoAppy]

Originally Posted by Rhythm 'n Blues

OhSoAppy -- that heaviness that you're feeling could really just be a lack of impulsion and drive from behind that has caused her to be heavier up front.

I absolutely agree(which is why I felt that part of it was training). I rode in the regular snaffle today, and felt I got some pretty good work out of her. Hopefully, the arena is rideable this weekend(we had a huge rainstorm today)...so I can give the KK a good trial run.

Thanks again for taking a look at the video to use her movement/training into perspective for what kind of bit she needs(hence my reasoning for posting it). This thread has had me thinking a lot, and I am starting to lean to just leaving her in her current snaffle...or if she likes the KK Ultra(Charlie likes the Ultra bits too), switching to that one. I think I jumped the gun without giving her and I a good chance to work through some of it(which again, is minimal). She is generally a pretty soft horse(with no serious 'blundering issues')....I also have to keep in mind this is a horse who hasn't done much since 2004-2005!

[Rhythm 'n Blues]

I have to ask, is the "regular snaffle" you speak of in your OP a single jointed saffle? It could honestly be that the single joint bothers her, and that she would be more comfortable in the double jointed KK bit and that all resistance (or at least the majority) may disappear once you add another *joint* to the bit.....

But give any bit a good honest try, at least 5rides before you make any decisions...I mean unless the horse is totally upset in it that is.

[OhSoAppy]

It is a single-jointed bit. I have a feeling you may be right with a double jointed bit. We had yet another storm today, and the arena is beyond rideable...so I couldn't try the KK Ultra. I am flying out of town Monday, so it will have to wait until next weekend for me to try.

Out of curiosity, I ran across a bit that Chris Cox sells(I don't actually follow much of these clinicians, but I am sure some of their things are good). What are your thoughts on it?

http://www.chris-cox.com/catalog/pro...roducts_id=157


It is a fixed D-Ring snaffle with sweet iron and copper inlay.

Thoughts on a fixed snaffle?

[GingerSnap]

I absolutely love my myler comfort snaffle bits as well as their shanked bits. They are super well made, balanced nicely and well worth their money. Personally I would try the comfort snaffle before I went to a twisted snaffle. It may just be the joint the horse doesn't like.

[Cvrstry318]

Originally Posted by Rhythm 'n Blues

If you EVER want to sell any of your KK bits, please PM me with details (size, metal etc) as I will be totally looking for one when I finally get my next horse!

From what I see in the video, I don't think you need a twisted wire bit. Your mare seems to float between being on the vertical and behind it. If I had that mare I would have her in a simple french link snaffle, or one of your KK bits. But that's just me and I must say that I don't ride western at all!

From what I could see, putting a thin twisted wire on this horse would do her more injustice. IF you were to go twisted, thicker would be better....IMHO. I personally don't believe in putting a thin twisted on any horse since a lot of training can be done prior to getting to that point, but that's just me.

[OhSoAppy]

Thank you again for all of your opinions.

Taylor is not going to be put into a twisted snaffle.

However, more opinions on the other bits listed would be wonderful.

[tlwidener]

Originally Posted by OhSoAppy

It is a single-jointed bit. I have a feeling you may be right with a double jointed bit. We had yet another storm today, and the arena is beyond rideable...so I couldn't try the KK Ultra. I am flying out of town Monday, so it will have to wait until next weekend for me to try.

Out of curiosity, I ran across a bit that Chris Cox sells(I don't actually follow much of these clinicians, but I am sure some of their things are good). What are your thoughts on it?

http://www.chris-cox.com/catalog/pro...roducts_id=157


It is a fixed D-Ring snaffle with sweet iron and copper inlay.

Thoughts on a fixed snaffle?

I have that bit and don't like it. It doesn't seem to work like snaffle because it is fixed. To me it feels more like a shanked bit because it's so stiff.

[Rhythm 'n Blues]

Sorry OhSoAppy, I have zero experience with the last bit you posted a link to. I'm very much a minimalist, and I haven't even tried a Myler bit at all!

[doublebarr]

Getting sorta off the bit angle, has your trainer talked to you about what you are doing that is making it harder for her to bring herself under her? I watched the whole video (and what a NICE mare she is) and don't know if your trainer has spoken to you about it but you are pumping continuously at the canter and throwing her on her forehand. It's not exagerated, but it is there. I think she is a nicer loper than this video shows and bet she can maintain impulsion if you would sit up and ride quietly in the body and just use leg. Not only would she begin driving deeper, but she would not be using her head to bring her shoulders up. You are slightly changing your ballance point to over her shoulders instead of riding the middle.

Watching it again, you are also swiveling your hips forward as soon as you ask for a transition and then you keep that swivel and pump at the same time. Your back is nice and straight, but your hips and shoulders are "pushing" instead of your leg only.