[Open_the_Gait]

ok, yes i can find my hands, they are attached to my arms. what i mean is i cant find my riding hands. everyone used to say i had really light hands. but now it seems like every horse i ride a lot ends up hating the bit.
my 2yo, only i have really ridden him. he started out good but now he doesnt like being asked to stop. he will throw his head and fight it. bending/flexing to the side is awesome, but not stopping or collecting. and now its such a habit that he will do the same thing when i ride in a halter. -unless that means its a physical/pain issue... and yes i realize he is young and learning but he isnt the only horse im having trouble with, just an example.
i think i have overactive hands and it just annoys them or something. i always give when they give, and i have a loose rein when im not asking for anything, but maybe the problem is that im asking too often, i dont know. and i dont pull hard, so why are they so resistant? and i do use my seat alot
how do i reteach myself to be light? i have tried but its not working.

and this is not the main question but i need help with bits. like i said my two year old throws his head a little- doesnt tuck it behind the bit at all. he plays with it a little, and once i caught him with his tongue over the bit-which would be fixed with a port right? right now i am using a sort of tom thumb thing. i know it is not right for him but it is all i had when i was starting him.
this:,
i also have this bit but i havent used it:only with a narrower port like this http://just4utack.tripod.com/curbbit.jpg

i was reading a myler bit book and i sorta figured by their ways to use these:
or a wide low port like that one above

what do you think? but remember my main question is not about bits.

[UnDun*]

well, first of all...i think all horses should be started in a loose ring snaffle..then moved to a curb/any bit with shanks.

I think he needs to go back to snaffle work, and learn to come off leg aids properly. Do lots of circles, flexing, transitions and sidepasses,etc. You shouldn't have to use your hands that much in a curb, only yours legs. If your legs do the work, your hands can remain light and steady.