What Bit to Try Next?

faroutfax · 02-18-2008, 01:08 PM

I think I need a new bit for my mare, her current one just seems to make her nervous

She usually is ridden bitless (just a halter) or with a Myler-style snaffle (with the barrel/roller) and either with or without a port.

The bit I'm trying with her right now is simmilar to this,

I thought it would work, since the mouthpeices are idential. I also adjust her curb strap a hole looser than it should be.

But when ever I use it she gets very antsy and nervous. She gets very frustrated with it (even though she will neck rein in a snaffle, halter or just a rope around her neck). And she also raises her head and hollows her back. She will even go behind the vertical if any pressure is but on the bit

Right now I'm really only trying to get her working on a curb (for shows). In a halter or snaffle she does w/j/l nicely, sidepasses, turns on the haunches etc. But alot of it falls apart because she seems to be too distracted by the bit.

Sooo.... What bit should I try with her next?

BriLeigh · 02-18-2008, 01:14 PM

I don't know much about curb bits, but I do know that some horses are sensitive in the mouth. If you have a curb bit and she is getting nervous or BTV it would be that it is too severe for her at this time or you are pulling on her mouth and she doesn't like it.

You said that you usually ride her with a halter or snaffle type bit, so it may be that the jump from nothing to everything is too much. You should try to get a bit that is a curb but a very nice one.

faroutfax · 02-18-2008, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BriLeigh

I don't know much about curb bits, but I do know that some horses are sensitive in the mouth. If you have a curb bit and she is getting nervous or BTV it would be that it is too severe for her at this time or you are pulling on her mouth and she doesn't like it.

You said that you usually ride her with a halter or snaffle type bit, so it may be that the jump from nothing to everything is too much. You should try to get a bit that is a curb but a very nice one.

Yep, even when I have her in a halter or snaffle I barely have to touch the reins for a reaction. I try to be super light when I'm using the curb with her or she will over react, and I also try and use as may seat and leg ques as possible try and avoid using the bit at all.

BriLeigh · 02-18-2008, 01:26 PM

It really sounds like she is fine in a snaffle, although I know that shows don't allow it for older horses so try to get something simple and nice for her. I also think that it is just going to take some time and a lot of working in a different bit to get her used to the curb it is much different than a snaffle so she is having to re-think everything when you ask her something.

I put my dressage horse is a curb bit when we rode western one day and she had no idea what to do with it. She couldn't back up or turn to save her life.

faroutfax · 02-18-2008, 01:31 PM

The only reason I want her in a curb is for shows, I'd prefer (and I'm sure she'd prefer) to ride with just a rope around her neck

We are still planning on barrel racing in just a halter though

faroutfax · 02-19-2008, 12:49 PM

Anyone else?

Rising Star · 02-19-2008, 01:30 PM

I would start with something really basic. Maybe a tom thumb? or something like this: http://www.greenhawk.net/cgi-local/S...171+1203488781
My friend uses the one above on most of her horses and likes it a lot. You could use it with the snaffle rings for the first while and then move on to the shanks later on.
If she likes a french link then get a bit with that. Also maybe try a rubber mouth bit for the first while.

PertyHolly · 02-19-2008, 03:04 PM

Those shanks are applying a TREMENDOUS amount of leverage which would be my first guess as to why she got antsy and nervous, she is probably intimidated by it. I would try something with a MUCH shorter shank that was not the 's' style. Personally I wouldn't go for a tom thumb, they have a tendancy to jab the roof of the mouth.

Buckshot · 02-19-2008, 03:07 PM

Get the absolute mildest curb with the shortest, simplest shanks you can find to start her with, then work up to the heavier show bits.

Haas Horse Farm · 02-19-2008, 03:15 PM

What class are you competing in? How old is the horse?

02-18-2008, 01:08 PM	#1
faroutfax Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 4,844 Images: 507 Blog Entries: 16	What Bit to Try Next? I think I need a new bit for my mare, her current one just seems to make her nervous She usually is ridden bitless (just a halter) or with a Myler-style snaffle (with the barrel/roller) and either with or without a port. The bit I'm trying with her right now is simmilar to this, I thought it would work, since the mouthpeices are idential. I also adjust her curb strap a hole looser than it should be. But when ever I use it she gets very antsy and nervous. She gets very frustrated with it (even though she will neck rein in a snaffle, halter or just a rope around her neck). And she also raises her head and hollows her back. She will even go behind the vertical if any pressure is but on the bit Right now I'm really only trying to get her working on a curb (for shows). In a halter or snaffle she does w/j/l nicely, sidepasses, turns on the haunches etc. But alot of it falls apart because she seems to be too distracted by the bit. Sooo.... What bit should I try with her next? __________________ One man's wrong lead is another man's counter canter.

02-18-2008, 01:31 PM	#5
faroutfax Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 4,844 Images: 507 Blog Entries: 16	The only reason I want her in a curb is for shows, I'd prefer (and I'm sure she'd prefer) to ride with just a rope around her neck We are still planning on barrel racing in just a halter though __________________ One man's wrong lead is another man's counter canter.

02-19-2008, 12:49 PM	#6
faroutfax Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 4,844 Images: 507 Blog Entries: 16	Anyone else? __________________ One man's wrong lead is another man's counter canter.

02-19-2008, 01:30 PM	#7
Rising Star Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 2,332 Images: 437	I would start with something really basic. Maybe a tom thumb? or something like this: http://www.greenhawk.net/cgi-local/S...171+1203488781 My friend uses the one above on most of her horses and likes it a lot. You could use it with the snaffle rings for the first while and then move on to the shanks later on. If she likes a french link then get a bit with that. Also maybe try a rubber mouth bit for the first while. __________________ Green Bay Acres Boarding and Training Stable Flinting 17.1hh 7yo tb gelding,, the love of my life Proud Member of the Thoroughbred Club

02-19-2008, 03:07 PM	#9
Buckshot Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Michiana Posts: 5,197 Images: 24 Blog Entries: 18	Get the absolute mildest curb with the shortest, simplest shanks you can find to start her with, then work up to the heavier show bits. __________________ Say ya to da U.P., eh? HGS's official Birdbrain

02-18-2008, 01:14 PM	#2
BriLeigh Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington Posts: 441 Images: 21	I don't know much about curb bits, but I do know that some horses are sensitive in the mouth. If you have a curb bit and she is getting nervous or BTV it would be that it is too severe for her at this time or you are pulling on her mouth and she doesn't like it. You said that you usually ride her with a halter or snaffle type bit, so it may be that the jump from nothing to everything is too much. You should try to get a bit that is a curb but a very nice one.

02-18-2008, 01:26 PM	#4
BriLeigh Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Washington Posts: 441 Images: 21	It really sounds like she is fine in a snaffle, although I know that shows don't allow it for older horses so try to get something simple and nice for her. I also think that it is just going to take some time and a lot of working in a different bit to get her used to the curb it is much different than a snaffle so she is having to re-think everything when you ask her something. I put my dressage horse is a curb bit when we rode western one day and she had no idea what to do with it. She couldn't back up or turn to save her life.

02-19-2008, 03:04 PM	#8
PertyHolly Full Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 46 Images: 21	Those shanks are applying a TREMENDOUS amount of leverage which would be my first guess as to why she got antsy and nervous, she is probably intimidated by it. I would try something with a MUCH shorter shank that was not the 's' style. Personally I wouldn't go for a tom thumb, they have a tendancy to jab the roof of the mouth.