Mikmar Combination Bit

Bella · 08-12-2005, 07:41 AM

Has anyone ever used or seen one of these used?

http://www.greenhawk.net/cgi-local/S...dc1+1123864560

The website says that it is a very gentle bit, but it doesn't look very gentle to me... just curious what others think.

-Bella

Moostang · 08-12-2005, 07:44 AM

I have seen a lot of people post questions about them.. IMO it is to much metal to put in a horse's mouth.

Heavenly Jumper · 08-12-2005, 07:57 AM

it DOES look bulky...and HEAVY

riding_reaper · 08-12-2005, 07:58 AM

I was reading about them in SB cataloug. There is a video you can order with it to teach you how to use it and stuff. I'm not sure its something I, myself would use but in the right hands it might be ok. It looks like a pain to keep untangled though. lol

Moostang · 08-12-2005, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavenlyJumper

it DOES look bulky...and HEAVY

They advertise them as light weight.. but who knows if that is light weight for the amount of metal, or if they really are light like a normal bit.. I can't find an actual weight.

3WishesDun · 08-12-2005, 08:05 AM

I have always seen them advertised for things like showjumping and it would seem you definately need a horse advanced in their training and should be equally as experienced.... sort of like a spade bit in the hands of a expert horseman....it looks frightning ... but when used correctly on the right horse it is a subtle, exquisite tool.

3WishesDun · 08-12-2005, 08:14 AM

Holy Canoli....Wow just visited their site...I have seen one or two models advertised in the horse mags...but they have an extensive line of bits.....and they are "a lot of metal" in the mouth......I would hesitate to learn their use from a video... I hope someone who has used or likes them posts here....and they are $$$$$$$$ pricey!

harli36 · 08-12-2005, 08:20 AM

They are very light weight in fact they may even be lighter then some traditional bits. In theory I'm not so sure they are the torture device that they appear to be. They have a large surface area in the mouthpiece, so that in itself is very mild, and the shanks are short and swept back for a small amount of leverage but with a reaction time for the horse.

However the creator of the bit has said that he created the bit for people with less then perfect/busy hands. This bit deadens the signals from the hands to the mouth so a horse that has to put up with busy hands may not feel the signals as much and therefore won't be bothered by them, causing the horse to go quieter.

Every horse that I have seen go well in them that has been the case. The rider had less then perfect hands that the horse previously had to put up with and now with this bit no longer has to put up with it. So if that is why you are using this bit that is fine, but you should also be working on getting your hands quiet.

Don't get me wrong I'm sure there are horses that go well in them who have riders with quiet hands, that has just been my experience.

Purplehayze · 08-12-2005, 08:35 AM

I have only seen Mikmar's used at spruce meadows... I don't know much about them except for that they seem to work very well on the showjumpers, even when the riders hands are like moving around alot, they still have exceptional control.

Bella · 08-12-2005, 08:42 PM

Thanks for the reply's guys... I'd still be very hesitant to use a bit that looks like a weapon, though.

-Bella

08-12-2005, 07:41 AM	#1
Bella Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 4,234 Images: 110 Blog Entries: 3	Mikmar Combination Bit Has anyone ever used or seen one of these used? http://www.greenhawk.net/cgi-local/S...dc1+1123864560 The website says that it is a very gentle bit, but it doesn't look very gentle to me... just curious what others think. -Bella __________________ It's a lot like nuts and bolts - if the rider's nuts, the horse bolts! ~Nicholas Evans

08-12-2005, 07:44 AM	#2
Moostang Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Northern Calif Posts: 9,805 Images: 680 Blog Entries: 55	I have seen a lot of people post questions about them.. IMO it is to much metal to put in a horse's mouth. __________________ Don't poke bears... give them honey! http://moostangproductions.com

08-12-2005, 07:58 AM	#4
riding_reaper Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 4,854 Images: 283 Blog Entries: 9	I was reading about them in SB cataloug. There is a video you can order with it to teach you how to use it and stuff. I'm not sure its something I, myself would use but in the right hands it might be ok. It looks like a pain to keep untangled though. lol __________________ I can ride my bike with no handlebars no handlebars no handlebars ...

08-12-2005, 08:05 AM	#6
3WishesDun Senior Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: At My Wit's End Posts: 16,436 Images: 650 Blog Entries: 27	I have always seen them advertised for things like showjumping and it would seem you definately need a horse advanced in their training and should be equally as experienced.... sort of like a spade bit in the hands of a expert horseman....it looks frightning ... but when used correctly on the right horse it is a subtle, exquisite tool. __________________ Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep. -Frost SCHWEELS, BABY, SCHWEELS!

08-12-2005, 08:14 AM	#7
3WishesDun Senior Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: At My Wit's End Posts: 16,436 Images: 650 Blog Entries: 27	Holy Canoli....Wow just visited their site...I have seen one or two models advertised in the horse mags...but they have an extensive line of bits.....and they are "a lot of metal" in the mouth......I would hesitate to learn their use from a video... I hope someone who has used or likes them posts here....and they are $$$$$$$$ pricey! __________________ Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change. The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep. -Frost SCHWEELS, BABY, SCHWEELS!

08-12-2005, 07:57 AM	#3
Heavenly Jumper Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Camden County GA Posts: 15,260 Images: 1320 Blog Entries: 266	it DOES look bulky...and HEAVY

08-12-2005, 08:20 AM	#8
harli36 Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: northeastern Pa Posts: 4,416 Images: 42	They are very light weight in fact they may even be lighter then some traditional bits. In theory I'm not so sure they are the torture device that they appear to be. They have a large surface area in the mouthpiece, so that in itself is very mild, and the shanks are short and swept back for a small amount of leverage but with a reaction time for the horse. However the creator of the bit has said that he created the bit for people with less then perfect/busy hands. This bit deadens the signals from the hands to the mouth so a horse that has to put up with busy hands may not feel the signals as much and therefore won't be bothered by them, causing the horse to go quieter. Every horse that I have seen go well in them that has been the case. The rider had less then perfect hands that the horse previously had to put up with and now with this bit no longer has to put up with it. So if that is why you are using this bit that is fine, but you should also be working on getting your hands quiet. Don't get me wrong I'm sure there are horses that go well in them who have riders with quiet hands, that has just been my experience.

08-12-2005, 08:35 AM	#9
Purplehayze Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Calgary AB, CAN Posts: 1,243 Images: 335	I have only seen Mikmar's used at spruce meadows... I don't know much about them except for that they seem to work very well on the showjumpers, even when the riders hands are like moving around alot, they still have exceptional control. __________________ Vesper 2002 Reg'd AQHA Mare

08-12-2005, 08:42 PM	#10
Bella Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 4,234 Images: 110 Blog Entries: 3	Thanks for the reply's guys... I'd still be very hesitant to use a bit that looks like a weapon, though. -Bella __________________ It's a lot like nuts and bolts - if the rider's nuts, the horse bolts! ~Nicholas Evans

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