Yep. You're getting a new bit.

Shotgun93 · 06-24-2008, 05:23 PM

I second the comments about that being a huge jump in bits. You really need to evaluate why she is ignoring your aids first, before putting a band-aid on the situation.

Educate yourself on the mechanics of bits before you start using something like that on your horse.

BarrelBaby18 · 06-24-2008, 05:24 PM

thats why I posted!!!!
I know nothiing, well not nothing, but I dont know a whole novel on bits. Thats why I asked for opinions!

Dawn · 06-24-2008, 05:27 PM

Since we don't know why she is 'seeming' to ignore your cues, we can't really give an accurate opinion on what type of bit to use on her.

The most obvious one would be the one that she's worked fine in up till now. Then fix the reason that she's not working fine in it now.

That's not to say that horses should never be moved to more complex bits. But they should be moved when responding 100% to the lesser bit. Not moved when they fail to respond 100% to the lesser bit.

BarrelBaby18 · 06-24-2008, 05:34 PM

She listens to it fine at home, and in most of my runs.
But the one pole run and my "M" barrels run, she decided she wasnt listening to it and refused to turn when I was pulling.

Care To Jazz? · 06-24-2008, 05:41 PM

I think side pulls are the best for barrel racing IMO. I think a slow twist would be a little too severe on the bars of your horse's mouth. A slow twist is harsher than a fast twist. Remember to get a bit that you can pull on, not a lot of leverage bits allow you to use direct reining, especially from the side.

BarrelBaby18 · 06-24-2008, 05:44 PM

Okayy! I will check those out.

I have a bit like this at home..should I try it on her?
http://www.rods.com/p/2533,124_Reins...affle-Bit.html

Andd the side pulls.

I dont get how they work? Are they like a hack/bit combination??

Care To Jazz? · 06-24-2008, 06:01 PM

That O ring should allow you more control than a D-ring. It would be a good training/transition bit.

As for side pulls, you should get them without the bit. They are less severe than hackamores and leverage bits and you can pull with an open rein to help steer. And offers more control than a snaffle. Barrel racing is sooo fast that you shouldn't risk catching your horse in the mouth with a gag bit IMO.

AllAroundRdr · 06-24-2008, 06:02 PM

Was this one run at one race or is it occuring more and more? Also, how often do you practice at home? I'm curious if the evasion is possibly caused by being over ran at home? (just a question, please don't jump to the defensive

)

I'd also suggest having someone video tape your runs...it could be minor rider error causing this problem too. You say she's fine at home but at a race it happens -- you could be tense, your hand position could be hindering her turning..all very logical (IMO) possibilities.

Have you thought about trying a Beetle hack, a Little S, or Jim Warner?

I'm kinda leaning 2 different ways with this -- yes changing to a different bit that has a little more "bite" would be what most people would do...to me you're just giving her something stronger to evade (maybe) -- perhaps a switch to a short shanked rope nose hackamore for a bit will give you the turning power you want and give her mouth a break which may change her mind about running through the bit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarrelBaby18

She listens to it fine at home, and in most of my runs.
But the one pole run and my "M" barrels run, she decided she wasnt listening to it and refused to turn when I was pulling.

Care To Jazz? · 06-24-2008, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllAroundRdr

I'm kinda leaning 2 different ways with this -- yes changing to a different bit that has a little more "bite" would be what most people would do...to me you're just giving her something stronger to evade (maybe) -- perhaps a switch to a short shanked rope nose hackamore for a bit will give you the turning power you want and give her mouth a break which may change her mind about running through the bit.

I agree with this. Maybe something that will offer her mouth to soften up will help.

What is everyone's opinion on sidepulls? I was recommended to use one back in my barrel days by many people.

BarrelBaby18 · 06-24-2008, 06:07 PM

We dont run at home

lol!

And, I ahve one run video tapped..
I am thinking the one run she just completely ignored me. I am thinking she thought it was down and back..She saw the second barrel and was like woahh! I messed up...so that was her fault..
The pole run..was my fault. I pushed her..and I shouldnt have...we just learned the pattern...and hadnt "RAN" up there yet. just fast loped..slow slow SLOW gallop! lol!

06-24-2008, 05:23 PM	#11
Shotgun93 Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southwest SD Posts: 13,388 Images: 124	I second the comments about that being a huge jump in bits. You really need to evaluate why she is ignoring your aids first, before putting a band-aid on the situation. Educate yourself on the mechanics of bits before you start using something like that on your horse. __________________ In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stamp of a hoof, a friendly nicker. Gentle eyes inquire, "How was your day old friend?" and suddenly, all your troubles fade away. -Author Unknown

06-24-2008, 05:24 PM	#12
BarrelBaby18 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pennsylvania--In the barn. Posts: 4,010 Images: 293	thats why I posted!!!! I know nothiing, well not nothing, but I dont know a whole novel on bits. Thats why I asked for opinions! __________________ Proud To Own- Rayven- Luck Be A Lady..Barrel Racer "You rarely here "yeah, my horse and I won that", but you mainly here "Yeah, I won that" " You cant win anything without a good partner, wheather you be on his back or right next to him.it just wont happen.

06-24-2008, 05:34 PM	#14
BarrelBaby18 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pennsylvania--In the barn. Posts: 4,010 Images: 293	She listens to it fine at home, and in most of my runs. But the one pole run and my "M" barrels run, she decided she wasnt listening to it and refused to turn when I was pulling. __________________ Proud To Own- Rayven- Luck Be A Lady..Barrel Racer "You rarely here "yeah, my horse and I won that", but you mainly here "Yeah, I won that" " You cant win anything without a good partner, wheather you be on his back or right next to him.it just wont happen.

06-24-2008, 05:41 PM	#15
Care To Jazz? Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Next to Jazz Posts: 3,034 Images: 281 Blog Entries: 4	I think side pulls are the best for barrel racing IMO. I think a slow twist would be a little too severe on the bars of your horse's mouth. A slow twist is harsher than a fast twist. Remember to get a bit that you can pull on, not a lot of leverage bits allow you to use direct reining, especially from the side. __________________ SMILE. didn't that feel good?

06-24-2008, 05:44 PM	#16
BarrelBaby18 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pennsylvania--In the barn. Posts: 4,010 Images: 293	Okayy! I will check those out. I have a bit like this at home..should I try it on her? http://www.rods.com/p/2533,124_Reins...affle-Bit.html Andd the side pulls. I dont get how they work? Are they like a hack/bit combination?? __________________ Proud To Own- Rayven- Luck Be A Lady..Barrel Racer "You rarely here "yeah, my horse and I won that", but you mainly here "Yeah, I won that" " You cant win anything without a good partner, wheather you be on his back or right next to him.it just wont happen.

06-24-2008, 05:27 PM	#13
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,640 Images: 1283	Since we don't know why she is 'seeming' to ignore your cues, we can't really give an accurate opinion on what type of bit to use on her. The most obvious one would be the one that she's worked fine in up till now. Then fix the reason that she's not working fine in it now. That's not to say that horses should never be moved to more complex bits. But they should be moved when responding 100% to the lesser bit. Not moved when they fail to respond 100% to the lesser bit.

06-24-2008, 06:01 PM	#17
Care To Jazz? Senior Member+ Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Next to Jazz Posts: 3,034 Images: 281 Blog Entries: 4	That O ring should allow you more control than a D-ring. It would be a good training/transition bit. As for side pulls, you should get them without the bit. They are less severe than hackamores and leverage bits and you can pull with an open rein to help steer. And offers more control than a snaffle. Barrel racing is sooo fast that you shouldn't risk catching your horse in the mouth with a gag bit IMO. __________________ SMILE. didn't that feel good?

06-24-2008, 06:07 PM	#20
BarrelBaby18 Senior Member+ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Pennsylvania--In the barn. Posts: 4,010 Images: 293	We dont run at home lol! And, I ahve one run video tapped.. I am thinking the one run she just completely ignored me. I am thinking she thought it was down and back..She saw the second barrel and was like woahh! I messed up...so that was her fault.. The pole run..was my fault. I pushed her..and I shouldnt have...we just learned the pattern...and hadnt "RAN" up there yet. just fast loped..slow slow SLOW gallop! lol! __________________ Proud To Own- Rayven- Luck Be A Lady..Barrel Racer "You rarely here "yeah, my horse and I won that", but you mainly here "Yeah, I won that" " You cant win anything without a good partner, wheather you be on his back or right next to him.it just wont happen.