Bumper Bit

[palmateert]

Ok so I was wondering if any of you have used this before and what were your results?

http://www.sstack.com/shopping/produ...ord=bumper+bit

A girl that I used to be friends with took her horse to a trainer and were riding her mare in this bit. I have never used one. But a few weeks at the trainer and her mare was loping seriously slow and collected nicely, we were all standing around talking and the bit look similiar to this not exact but they called it a bumper bit. Instead of a shank it was just a long teardrop.(same length as the shank in the picture) I asked and her and him (her trainer) said it was THE miracle bit. OFCOURSE used properly. I would not go through this in my 2yr old mouth. I am aware of the severity of it.

I am aware that it works by putting pressure on the jaw at the same time as the mouth. But how would that help slow her horse down this drastically? I would like to hear what you guys think about this bit.

I called my trainer and he hasn't answered back yet but I would like to hear what you guys think or have heard.

[Capilet]

I am aware that it works by putting pressure on the jaw at the same time as the mouth. But how would that help slow her horse down this drastically? I would like to hear what you guys think about this bit.

I've never seen one before, but just reading the description and looking at the bit itself, the answer is very simple--pain. A steel bar on the super sensitive jaw and a pretty decent shank is going to be painful when engaged.

Personally, it looks like they're putting the horse's jaw in a vice.

[tlwidener]

Don't like the looks of it. Would NOT use it. Looks like it makes a vice and squeezes the horse's jaw. What is to prevent the horse from throwing its head when its jaw gets squeezed? You see horses throw their heads from the chains on mechanical hacks, and that bit is far worse.

Pass.

[ChevyRider]

I wouldn't use it..

Calling it a "bumper bit" basically describes what its for.. "Bump" to get your desired headset. My guess is they use this bit for schooling to keep the horses soft for the show ring.... The horses will keep their heads low in the ring, if they are used to being bumped with that bit.

Just a guess though

[Lopinslow]

I have one (i LOVE bits, so anytime i find a great deal one on, i buy it even if i'm not sure i'll really use it!! lol) and have used it a couple times (only on my VERY broke horse).
it's okay in some situations, on some horses,,, IN THE RIGHT HANDS, but you have to be very careful with it obviously.... and it can get a horse to bow up in the neck, which you definately DON'T want in a pleasure horse.

[Luv2LopeQH]

Back in the 90's I used a bumper bit on a pleasure/all around horse a couple times. It's exactly like the one in the link. My trainer also has one and we have not used it on my horse, but I have seen another client use it before. Most people wrap the metal bar with vet wrap. It should only be used in experienced hands and those that know what you are doing.

ANY bit can be harsh and there are bits that look a lot less severe then this that can do more damage (i.e. tom thumb).

[palmateert]

I def. understand it has to be used in the right hands. DEF.! I am not one to go around using things that I don't know much about. That was why i asked all of you in the down time from the phone call back from Jon. But I do appreciate your responses and it has given me a bit more understanding and insight of the pros and cons of this bit.

[sirius-dressage]

Bits like this just make me shake my head. I really don't understand what function this severity in a bit has in any horse's mouth.

I have no problelm with a curb bit on a horse that has a solid foundation...but when extra, painful things like metal bars on the jaw are added I cease to understand what the point of that bit is. If the horse is schooled enough to be able to handle a bit like that, even in well schooled hands...then WHY is that bit necessary.

It's a really backwards philosophy, IMO...that only well schooled horses should be wearing these bits, being ridden by the correct person. If my horse is really well schooled, I assume he doesn't need me to put pressure on, let's face it...bone, to get my point across. I ride my 17hh TB in a snaffle to jump him...and yeah, he's a big strong horse. If I can control him without pulling his face off using his snaffle going at speed up to fences...why would you need to put a bit like this on your 14-16 hh pleasure horse?

Not intended towards the OP...I am just saying in general. Bits like this really make me cringe.

[palmateert]

sirius-dressage- like Luv2LopeQH has said a lot of times they do vet wrap it but its main purpose is to get shape you want. Yes it can encourage over flexing of the neck BUT like other have said and yourself it has to has to has to be in the right hands. Yes your right a very well schooled horse shouldn't have to use something this severe but it is not severe unless used in a severe manner usually its to make them understand what your asking of them in a different way. I am a firm believer a bit can be a very powerful thing. If used right and if used wrong. Even a snaffle if used wrong can hurt a horse. Def. not as fast as this could!!lol.

Please don't take offense I am just trying to show you where I am coming from.

[sirius-dressage]

Believe me, that is not the first time I have heard the exact same argument. Proponents of huge severe bits like this always state the "every bit can be severe in the wrong hands"...but my point is that bits like these are ALWAYS going to be more sever than a snaffle unless you are not putting any pressure on the bit at all, at which point having the severity, IMO is obsolete. If you didn't have to put any pressure on this bit because the horse was THAT well trained...why would you even contemplate putting this bit in that horse's mouth?'

A snaffle never puts pressure on very sensitive bone covered by skin...which is all the bottom of the jaw is. Therefore, even if the horse is having his mouth pulled on by inexperiences hands and there is pressure on the lips, bars, and tongue...there is still not a vice-like pinching of bone that this bit provides with even the slightest pressure. That, to me...makes this bit severe no matter what. I just will never condone this kind of contraption in any hands. I ride a lot of different horses with different levels of training...including my coming 3 year old in simple double-jointed snaffles, getting the results I want quietly but effectively. My Arab will even go on the bit and do all of his dressage work in his halter, he understands subtle pressure on the nose the same way he understands the subtle pressure of the bit.

No offense taken, certainly...it's not MY mouth the bit is going into. I just have a hard time with the fact that so many people run through the "any bit can be severe in the wrong hands" argument as a generic blanket for ANY bit...even if it is OBVIOUSLY a severe bit no matter what. I just don't take lightly bitting horses up. I have bitted my TB up once, for three days...then right back to the snaffle.