[ChieflaStables]

I was using a combo bit last year when I barrel raced on my gelding, now all winter, I've been trying to get him lighter, and using snaffles, so I've been working him in a copper coated D-ring snaffle, and he's doing amazing, so when I tried to put his combo bit back on him, it was WAY to strong (way to strong!) I dont want to use my D ring snaffle on him for barrel racing , b/c it doesn't seem to do very well when turning the barrels. but he's very responsive with the D-ring. What bit do you suggest me changing too.

when I put the combo bit on her, if he raises his head, there is no way for me to ask him to lower it, as I can with the snaffle, so I'd like to have that control, as well as be able to take him around a barrel with the bit being comfortable in his mouth.

I was thinking about trying one of those wonder bits?
but... maybe there is a good snaffle that would do well?

here is a pic of the combo bit I was talking about that I used last year.

[luvs2ride79]

A wonder bit is a gag bit, and will also raise her head.

I would go with a three piece full cheek bit. You will have the mild snaffle action, but more turning power with the full cheeks. Plus you'll have a bit more stop because of more mouth contact.
http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy0...LT900253%20500
http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=SLT900287

Or, if you want more stop, then go with a three piece or single joint kimberwick bit. Put the reins on the bottom slot and be sure the curb chain is loose enough to fit two fingers when done up. You'll have more stop and turn, without the issue of her head going up.
http://www.sstack.com/shopping/produ...iProductID=464
http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy0...LT900246%20475

[ChieflaStables]

Originally Posted by luvs2ride79

A wonder bit is a gag bit, and will also raise her head.

I would go with a three piece full cheek bit. You will have the mild snaffle action, but more turning power with the full cheeks. Plus you'll have a bit more stop because of more mouth contact.
http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy0...LT900253%20500
http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=SLT900287

Or, if you want more stop, then go with a three piece or single joint kimberwick bit. Put the reins on the bottom slot and be sure the curb chain is loose enough to fit two fingers when done up. You'll have more stop and turn, without the issue of her head going up.
http://www.sstack.com/shopping/produ...iProductID=464
http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy0...LT900246%20475

oh I will check all of these out. thank you thank you thank you so very much!

[ChieflaStables]

ok. so i've never used a full cheek snaffle. It looks weird to me. can you tell me anything else about it, and how so is it easier to turn with?

also I like the looks of the
Korsteel Jointed Uxeter Kimberwicke Bit but you said it would have more whoa (b/c of the chain I'm sure) but would it also be good for turning him?

he wont take off with me, although I do need to work on his whoa, but I'm not worried about it , he slows down, from a canter, to a trot, to a walk, usually once worked up, but wont come to a complete halt when asked (yet) but i'm more worried about his turning, and being able to turn him well with the bit I use. thanks :-)

[jazzyjumper]

The full cheeks of the bit put pressure on the side of his face, encouraging lateral flexion. I have never used a Kimberwicke, but it WILL give you more whoa because of the curb action. It is usually an english bit that is direct reined.

[Dawn]

What exactly is the problem with the turning? From your description, I'd suspect that it's the way he's being asked to turn that's the problem, not the bit.

A full cheek will not give you much more turning power than your typical d-ring. (Slightly, but well, only slightly). The turning power from a d-ring or full cheek is because of the surface area that the bit comes into contact with the side of the face.

[ChieflaStables]

Originally Posted by Dawn

What exactly is the problem with the turning? From your description, I'd suspect that it's the way he's being asked to turn that's the problem, not the bit.

A full cheek will not give you much more turning power than your typical d-ring. (Slightly, but well, only slightly). The turning power from a d-ring or full cheek is because of the surface area that the bit comes into contact with the side of the face.

well I havnt done much playing with the D ring on the barrel pattern, thats probobly the problem I usually just w/t/c him in it, and work on keeping him on the bit. just been trying to get him lighter in the mouth, so I think only once did I trot him around the barrels with the D-ring in his mouth, so . . . the way it felt that one time, just didn't feel like he could run full speed around a barrel. Now he is responding absolutely great with the D ring, so it might just be me not willing to trust him to ride around the pattern in the D ring. But I should give it a try. it like you siad, could definitely be me and not the bit, so I'll give it a try tomorrow probobly .

i was thinking it almost felt like it would fall out of the mouth when I would pick up the rein to turn him.

I do ride direct rein, i never neck rein him.



so would a full cheek be better than the D ring no matter what? when it comes to turning??

[ChieflaStables]

I only ask because I've never seen any one barrel racing in a full cheek, I do know at least 1 person that barrel races in a D ring.

[Dawn]

I personally do not like to use a full cheek without a keeper. Using the keepers changes the way the bit lays in the mouth.

So...if he's going well in the d-ring, a full cheek with keepers is going to be slightly different in it's action. He might not go well in it.

Given the fact that the surface area that a full cheek covers is only slightly larger than the surface area a d-ring covers, it's not that much of a benefit. And, with most horses, you would not notice any difference at all. (Though with some you would.)

When you say it felt like it was going to fall out of his mouth....can you explain?

[ChieflaStables]

haha, not really. b/c i'm just going by my bad memory! I will definitely try to ride him at least for a few mins tomorrow in the D ring and let you know what i feel. I went to a show today, i warmed him up in the D ring, in the arena , and had full control over him, and then I competed i changed him into his Combo bit. and that was not good, he kept raising his head in the air, and there was no way for me to control it and lower it with that dang bit!!!!!! well, i did ride him in the d ring todya, like i just said, ahah my memory is so bad! I think maybe it's just that he needs more training in the d ring, and once I get even more control with him and his body, that the d ring might be just what we need. but anyways, like i siad, i'll try it out again tomorrow, and will take note in my head and remember exactly the things I notice. and i guess go from there. I dont have another run until 2 weeks from today, so i have plenty of time to get him going, i just wanted to make sure i wouldn't have to use that combo bit ever again since he no longer needs that much of a bit.