[OhSoAppy]

I have been riding Taylor in a low port correction bit since I got her in November(I started in a snaffle, but my trainer wanted me to put her straight back on a shank bit):



While she works fine in this bit, I feel restricted on the type of work I can do with her with it. She, IMO, needs a lot more suppling and bending exercises, which a regular snaffle would be best. She has been out of work for so many years, I really think it would benefit her.

I have been riding her in a basic loose-ring snaffle bit the last week. It is the same bit that three year old Texas is in. She does go fine in it, as she is a fairly soft-mouthed horse. However, at times she does try to run through it slightly(mostly at the canter). Usually, it only takes a quick correction to soften her back up, but I still feel that a different bit may be more appropriate for her. She does not throw her head or anything (she breaks at the poll very nicely), but I can feel her grabbing the bit for a second(and getting heavy)...which at that point I drive her forward, correct, and release when I feel her soften back up. Obviously, bits don't fix training issues(which this is partly), however, I still think a different bit may suit her better(especially because she was/is broke to a shank bit as above..so she is used to a little 'more' at times).

Anyway, I am a huge fan of Myler bits, and have been taking a look at a 'step-up' bit for her. Here are two I was looking at. Myler considers them Level Two bits. I really like the low port on them, and I think she may like it.

First is a D-Ring Low Port Comfort snaffle:



The second is an O-Ring Low Port Comfort Snaffle...made with polished sweet iron(which I like):




They are very similar. What do you think of the low port(and these two bits in general)? I have never used a snaffle with one. There are so many different bits out there...it is giving me a headache!

Anyway, I am looking for advice on which bit you think would be a good choice for her. They are costly, and I would like to make the best educated decision before forking out $100 for a new bit(especially because most places don't have a return policy!).

Also, I am open to other suggestions, if you have any, on a bit that sounds appropriate for her. Thank you.

-Quick side-note

I also have two KK Ultra-Conrad snaffle bits (18mm and 16mm). I am going to try the 16mm on her before I purchase a new bit, and see if she likes it better then the current snaffle.

[tlwidener]

Are you looking for a bit to school her in or a show bit? How old is the horse?

Just a side note, those mouthpieces on the snaffles you posted are similar to a Billy Allen bit I have, and my horses do NOT like it.

[OhSoAppy]

Originally Posted by tlwidener

Are you looking for a bit to school her in or a show bit? How old is the horse?

Just a side note, those mouthpieces on the snaffles you posted are similar to a Billy Allen bit I have, and my horses do NOT like it.

In all my rambling...I guess I didn't say that .

It will be a schooling bit. Taylor is 11, and was shown/broke in a shank bit...however, she hasn't done anything the last few years. Hence my reasoning to try her back in a snaffle.

[Lopinslow]

Have you tried a twisted snaffle? there are SO many different options there that add a little more "omph" if she gets heavy on one.

Or, if she does go well in a shank, but you want the ability to pick up one side at a time to lift a shoulder, do some lateral work, etc.. check out the Robarts bits. they are the best of both worlds, and are pretty inexpensive as far as bits go. I have 3 different mouth peices (love them all) and plan to add more to my collection.

[OhSoAppy]

Originally Posted by Lopinslow

Have you tried a twisted snaffle? there are SO many different options there that add a little more "omph" if she gets heavy on one.

Or, if she does go well in a shank, but you want the ability to pick up one side at a time to lift a shoulder, do some lateral work, etc.. check out the Robarts bits. they are the best of both worlds, and are pretty inexpensive as far as bits go. I have 3 different mouth peices (love them all) and plan to add more to my collection.

I have not tried a twisted snaffle...however, I did think of that as a potential option for her.

I just looked at thes two twisted bits. First is just a twisted comfort snaffle:



Second is a twisted wire snaffle:



Ideas on them?

I will go take a look at Robarts bits...they sound like a possibility too!

I don't know if it will help for those to see how she does go under saddle. This is an old video from a lesson a few weeks ago. I was riding two-handed in the curb here...and she didn't seem to mind it:

YouTube - Taylor

[Lopinslow]

I can't watch youtube at work (it's blocked) so i'll have to watch at home tonight/tomorrow.

I'm a bit of a bit-aholic, so have a lot of different ones in my tack room, that i use for many different purposes.

it all depends on how much "omph" you need in a bit, to decide how much of a twist, what type, and how skinny you need to go.
This is one i use on my broke horse IF i find the need to go to a snaffle. even though he's broke to death, he isn't as soft as he could be in it
http://www.sstack.com/shopping/produ...iProductID=191

this is a thicker one, but has a little more "omph" than a regular fat twist because of the slightly squared edges
http://www.sstack.com/shopping/produ...ProductID=8662

then there are the really skinny/more severe ones, and obviously a rider needs to have correct and soft hands even more so in these:
http://www.sstack.com/shopping/produ...iProductID=197

http://www.sstack.com/shopping/produ...&keyword=ridge

for the Robarts bits, I have the following ones (used on my broke/show horse)
http://www.sstack.com/shopping/produ...ProductID=1695

http://www.sstack.com/shopping/produ...iProductID=143

http://www.sstack.com/shopping/produ...ProductID=7375



a lot of horses also like this mouth peice
http://www.sstack.com/shopping/produ...iProductID=188

[FoxyRoxy1507]

one of my eventers loves the myler comfort snaffle. I'm thinking of trying my other gelding in it too. Unless someone has better suggestions for something that is comparable to a snaffle pelham but is legal in dressage and eventing?

i would def try the myler bit though bc it would def help with the suppleness of the horse since they are seperated and you can distinguish on each side for pressure.

good luck

[OhSoAppy]

Lopinslow-Thank you so much for the links, really helpful. I think for Taylor she would do best with a thicker twisted snaffle. She is the kind of horse who can get herself uptight if the bit is a little too much. I'll have to take a better look and see what they have at my local tack store too.

FoxyRoxy, Thank you for you opinion as well! I definitely liked the 'comfort snaffles' I saw. Looked like fantastic bits, and for the most part, I have been happy with the bits from the Myler system.

[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!

[OhSoAppy]

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!

Part of her going slightly behind the verticle was my fault(especially in the beginning). My trainer was trying to have me drive her forward into the contact, and to get her to lengthen her stride from behind(you can see some of the improvement near the end). She was pretty lazy in the first few strides. Obviously, there were times where I had a bit too much contact, and not enough leg.

I actually do agree with you, which is why I wasn't originally looking at a twisted snaffle. In the video though, she was in her curb. In her regular snaffle she is a bit heavier...however, not terrible .

I am going to try the 16mm KK on her, and see what I think. If I do sell any fo the KK Ultra's, I will be sure to send you a PM. They are nice, nice bits.

ETA: No worries you don't do western! A lot of the training techniques are very similar(in correctly started horses)!!