[AppalosaCowGirl]

Originally Posted by cowgurly02

For the first few rides we just use a halter, then move them into an o-ring snaffle. If I were you I'd go buy a snaffle that fits him properly

oh yes I just measured his bit and his mouth.. it is a 5 1/2" and he def needs a 5" which is kinda annoying, but oh well. I guess I will go buy one later... thanks
I do ride him with a halter. (both of them actually) but I figure it is time to start getting them responsive to the bit..

[Jess!]

I use an eggbutt french link snaffle Well, on Porscha I did because she has a tiny little mouth [narrow].

Kandee I just used a copper eggbutt snaffle.

[tbird]

Originally Posted by Nevada_Silk

Might I ask why?

In my experience....I've found full cheek snaffles to be wonderful starter bits. I use one on all my horses (1 just started in it from the evil tom thumb his previous owner rode him in and the other is fully trained).

I am curious - I have found that people either love Tom Thumbs or hate them. I use them on my horses and Clinton Anderson recommends them as well. I started out in O ring (I guess that is what they were called?) snaffles but the horses did not seem to handle very well in them - very heavy and fighting me (granted they need more work!) Why don't you like Tom Thumbs?

[AllAroundRdr]

All of mine are bitted up/checked up in a basic sweet iron loose ring. For riding I lilke to start in a loose ring snaffle but it varies per horse. Some obviously to better in a french link or such. Some take right to reining in a snaffle others can use the help of a sidepull They're all individual cases so what worked perfectly for one person may not work in your situation.

My loose rings are still the 1st bits I pick up and use -- I change as needed per individual.

[MissCriss]

Originally Posted by Nevada_Silk

Might I ask why?

In my experience....I've found full cheek snaffles to be wonderful starter bits. I use one on all my horses (1 just started in it from the evil tom thumb his previous owner rode him in and the other is fully trained).

I think they are very mild bits and can work great for starts, but for MY personal choice, I would stick to loose ring snaffles. I've been taught that the full cheek is a good "second" bit because of the turning power, but have also heard that it can have the ability to rub or pinch the horse and move around so that it can get a bit annoying. I suppose with the keepers or whatever it's called, I wouldn't mind starting a horse in one. I guess I'm just one of those people that is pretty set on starting in the simplest, most basic bit you can find. Take in mind though, I'm not expert, so feel free to correct me.

[puzzles mom]

I personally like full check snaffles over ring snaffles, loose ring snaffles can pinch and if you don't use a curb strap with them, you can pull them through a horses mouth. An eggbutt full cheek snaffle will "push" on the outside of the horses' muzzle when you go to turn and won't pull through their mouth. With that said, I used a Cook bitless bridle to start my filly and it worked very well, with no chance of hurting her mouth if she got silly. I still use it most of the time for trail riding.

[Shotgun93]

Originally Posted by EquineJessie

Use a snaffle w/o shanks. An o-ring, d-ring or full cheek snaffle is what you want to use.

Just to clarify - a snaffle doesn't have shanks, ever. A curb has shanks, that's what the difference between them is. A curb has leverage, a snaffle does not.

And, the reason why many people dislike Tom Thumbs is because a Tom Thumb bit is a curb bit (unless you live in Australia, then it is a snaffle, but that's a different story), a curb bit is not an appropriate bit to use on a horse just being started, it is more of a finishing bit. Also, many people use it with direct rein because it is so misnamed. It is not meant to be used with direct rein, only indirect rein.

[Nevada_Silk]

Originally Posted by tbird

I am curious - I have found that people either love Tom Thumbs or hate them. I use them on my horses and Clinton Anderson recommends them as well. I started out in O ring (I guess that is what they were called?) snaffles but the horses did not seem to handle very well in them - very heavy and fighting me (granted they need more work!) Why don't you like Tom Thumbs?

Here's a good article that pretty much explains in detail why I dislike Tom Thumbs....ignore that he's calling it a Tom Thumb Snaffle.

http://www.todayshorse.com/Articles/...thTomThumb.htm

[Lou3]

a simple happy mouth eggbutt snaffle works for most babies. All our babies have liked them. french links are okay to but every so often you'll get one that just REALLy hates the mouthpiece like my current horse does and if that happens you end up with a mouth shy and reluctant baby, even if you dont necessarily do anything else wrong.

[princess jj]

I would use a snaffle defo but whatever you prefere, me i ride everything I can in a loose ring french link snaffle. A copper bit is also good for baby horses as long as thy fit. Also a loose ring won't pinch unless it is fitted to high or is too small.