What bit to use?

mrsungles · 07-08-2008, 08:01 AM

(Not sure if this should go here....lol)

Trouble is very strong in the mouth and I'm trying to find a better bit to use on him. I just bought the bridle and bit his previous owner was using on him when I got him, but I think he needs something different. He's in a full cheek, twisted copper Dr. Bristol right now, I tried a jointed rubber pelham on him yesterday and it made him sooo much more responsive (and I didn't even touch the curb rein), but I don't know that I really like a pelham... Is there anything that ya'll would suggest? I guess maybe just feeling the curb there made him more responsive, because I would think that just using the snaffle rein of the pelham would be more gentle than a twisted dr. bristol... But anyways, any suggestions ya'll have would be greatly appreciated!!

Dawn · 07-08-2008, 08:09 AM

If he responded well in the pelham using only the snaffle rein. That points to the fact that he would benefit from a milder bit than what you're currently using.

You could try a rubber snaffle. Or even just a nice smooth snaffle and see how he does. As that is basically what the pelham was when you used it.

mrsungles · 07-08-2008, 08:12 AM

I have a couple of other mild bits I could try, I've only hesitated trying them because his previous owner said he'll run right through a snaffle...but I should see for myself I think.

Dawn · 07-08-2008, 08:12 AM

Well, he proved to you yesterday that that wasn't true.

mrsungles · 07-08-2008, 08:14 AM

yes, but he also could feel the curb chain, so I guess now I just have to see if it was the snaffle that he responded to or feeling the curb chain...thanks!

JumpingBean · 07-08-2008, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsungles

(Not sure if this should go here....lol)

Trouble is very strong in the mouth and I'm trying to find a better bit to use on him. I just bought the bridle and bit his previous owner was using on him when I got him, but I think he needs something different. He's in a full cheek, twisted copper Dr. Bristol right now, I tried a jointed rubber pelham on him yesterday and it made him sooo much more responsive (and I didn't even touch the curb rein), but I don't know that I really like a pelham... Is there anything that ya'll would suggest? I guess maybe just feeling the curb there made him more responsive, because I would think that just using the snaffle rein of the pelham would be more gentle than a twisted dr. bristol... But anyways, any suggestions ya'll have would be greatly appreciated!!

Minor note: the horse's preference of bit should always top yours. It's his mouth, after all. I have seen horses and riders toughing it out in snaffles because the rider "didn't like anything except snaffle" and was too proud to try something else... and horses that could have gone in snaffles bitted up in elevators because the rider liked the look of the big bit. Just a cautionary note not to confuse the horse's preferences with your own. I'll get off my soapbox now.

My first question before suggesting a bit would be, why is his mouth hard? What have you tried to soften it up? Often a "hard" mouth softens dramatically with some patient, repetitive training.

Dawn · 07-08-2008, 08:16 AM

Then put a curb chain or strap on a snaffle if you feel that that made a mental difference to him.

mrsungles · 07-08-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JumpingBean

Minor note: the horse's preference of bit should always top yours. It's his mouth, after all. I have seen horses and riders toughing it out in snaffles because the rider "didn't like anything except snaffle" and was too proud to try something else... and horses that could have gone in snaffles bitted up in elevators because the rider liked the look of the big bit. Just a cautionary note not to confuse the horse's preferences with your own. I'll get off my soapbox now.

My first question before suggesting a bit would be, why is his mouth hard? What have you tried to soften it up? Often a "hard" mouth softens dramatically with some patient, repetitive training.

Very true, his preference should top mine...I just hope his preference is with a gentle bit...lol that would go well with my preference. I don't know why his mouth is hard, its been hard since I got him (beginning of April). What would you suggest I do to soften him? I think I will still try a gentler bit, he went so much better yesterday.

AllAroundRdr · 07-08-2008, 09:22 AM

Ride with your legs/seat and not your hands

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrsungles

What would you suggest I do to soften him?

07-08-2008, 08:01 AM	#1
mrsungles Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jacksonville NC Posts: 464 Images: 136	What bit to use? (Not sure if this should go here....lol) Trouble is very strong in the mouth and I'm trying to find a better bit to use on him. I just bought the bridle and bit his previous owner was using on him when I got him, but I think he needs something different. He's in a full cheek, twisted copper Dr. Bristol right now, I tried a jointed rubber pelham on him yesterday and it made him sooo much more responsive (and I didn't even touch the curb rein), but I don't know that I really like a pelham... Is there anything that ya'll would suggest? I guess maybe just feeling the curb there made him more responsive, because I would think that just using the snaffle rein of the pelham would be more gentle than a twisted dr. bristol... But anyways, any suggestions ya'll have would be greatly appreciated!! __________________ Pistol Poppin' Trouble~APHA Pearl~Walkaloosa Kiowa~AQHA Proprietor~Standardbred

07-08-2008, 08:12 AM	#3
mrsungles Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jacksonville NC Posts: 464 Images: 136	I have a couple of other mild bits I could try, I've only hesitated trying them because his previous owner said he'll run right through a snaffle...but I should see for myself I think. __________________ Pistol Poppin' Trouble~APHA Pearl~Walkaloosa Kiowa~AQHA Proprietor~Standardbred

07-08-2008, 08:14 AM	#5
mrsungles Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jacksonville NC Posts: 464 Images: 136	yes, but he also could feel the curb chain, so I guess now I just have to see if it was the snaffle that he responded to or feeling the curb chain...thanks! __________________ Pistol Poppin' Trouble~APHA Pearl~Walkaloosa Kiowa~AQHA Proprietor~Standardbred

07-08-2008, 08:09 AM	#2
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 30,100 Images: 1328	If he responded well in the pelham using only the snaffle rein. That points to the fact that he would benefit from a milder bit than what you're currently using. You could try a rubber snaffle. Or even just a nice smooth snaffle and see how he does. As that is basically what the pelham was when you used it.

07-08-2008, 08:16 AM	#7
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 30,100 Images: 1328	Then put a curb chain or strap on a snaffle if you feel that that made a mental difference to him.