[*lauren & jp*]

*sorry this is kinda long*
OK-i've finally decided to get JP back into shape for riding/show (he's been just a pasture pony for almost a yr. now) but i need help choosing a bit.
I've owned him for 3 yrs. but he only got ridden consistantly for the 1st yr. and on and off the 2nd and he really hasn't been ridden at all this 3rd yr.
Anyways-i bought him as a SS prospect and he was in SS training the first yr. so i rode him in a double bridle. His previous owners barrel raced him and i don't have a clue what kind of bit they used. After we quit SS i was riding him in a regular mouth eggbutt snaffle and it was "ok" i guess but it wasn't that great. I also rode him in a hackamore a little and he seemed to like that ok. anyways-he's a purebred arab and he's HOT HOT HOT...but he's controlable-MOST of the time. He also has a VERY sensitive mouth.

*I plan on doing Barrels and endurance with him and MAYBE eventually some jumping (jumpers) but more than likely just the barrels and endurance. SO-i need some help deciding on a bit. I want something that has a little more control than just a plain snaffle but i don't want anything too harsh as he's sensitive. Im open to getting a hackamore too if i knew it would be the best option for him.
so does anyone have any ideas on any good bits/hacks.??
I've been looking at some of the Myler Level 1's and the Happy Mouth bits and some other bits...but i just don't know. I also thought about trying him in my TB's french link loose ring snaffle but i haven't gotten around to it (i don't feel like taking it off Breyer's bridle and puting it on JP's bridle either)
i just want to find something he's happy in and that he works well in...

[missy'sbabydoll]

the first bit, you can't see it real well so i included pics of mine. is a snaffle with a roller but is hinged. the hinges don't pinch due to the way they are made. when you pull back it go into a square but never comes up. it gives you leverage with the shanks but is actually mild. works great. i use it on my six year old and never have a problem. an old cowboy gave it to me and it took me about six months to figure out who made it and now i swear by it.

[*lauren & jp*]

thanks! i'll have to look into those some more. i think he'd probably like the roller....he chews on the bit a lot and the roller might give him something to do other than JUST chomp on it the whole time???

[missy'sbabydoll]

i swear by mine, and my horse does the same thing. she loves the roller. in fact after a good work out when i get off she is always salivating. they are the only company who makes them. and it's patented so their is no remakes.

[Shotgun93]

Every single one of those bits in the picture is a curb, NOT a snaffle. All those bits need to be ridden with indirect rein, not direct rein.

If you have always been using egg butt snaffles, then the horse is not ready for a curb. I would try the Myler lever 1 snaffle - the comfort snaffle without hooks is a good choice.

[loosie]

With regard to control, YOU DON'T NEED A STRONG BIT! If a horse doesn't do what it is asked, then the problem is either in it's training, the rider, or a pain or fear issue. If the equipment that you're using doesn't work, work on getting his MIND under control, not his mouth, or finding other ways of inflicting further pain.

With regard to his sensitivity, all horses have extremely sensitive mouths. The bars of the jaw, where a bit sits are actually unable to callouse, so even with much harsh abuse, this area stays sensitive. As with the above, it is their MIND that gets 'hard' when you hear people say their horse is hard mouthed or dull or insensitive.

No doubt he would be better off without a bit - take a look at the articles on www.bitlessbridle.com - such as THE bitless, a traditional hackamore or a halter. If you want to continue using a bit, the mildest & therefore the best are doublejointed snaffles or unjointed bits without(or with very short) shanks.

[*lauren & jp*]

thanks again mbd!

Shotgun-i know those are curbs and he HAS been ridden in a curb....i've ridden him in a curb many times. Most of the time though, we used a snaffle, but a curb wouldn't be an issue for him as far as having been ridden in one before or not.

loosie-i KNOW i don't need a strong bit-if that's what you got out of my post, it's not what i meant. I mean, I want something a little "stronger" or something that works a little different than just a plain mouth snaffle (like a french link or something), but i know i don't need anything really strong. JP can't be ridden in anything super strong anyway. JP always does what is asked as well, he's just a hot horse and is sometimes strong, but he usually does what he's asked.
I also know that all horses have sensitive mouths...JP's is just MORE sensitive than most horses i ride-he's always been like that and i can't change that...

anyways-thanks yall!