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 Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
   
Location: Montana | First of all, yes, I know a bit can't fix anything. :)
I'm going to be working on training and muscle building if the weather ever gets decent. And I've been talking to a gal who I hope to take some riding and barrel racing lessons from this spring. :)
So I ride my mare in a D ring snaffle, an O ring snaffle, or a twisted wire snaffle. I have tried her on a Jr. cowhorse bit as well, and she does okay with it and I use it when I think she needs a "change." She and I both like the feel of the snaffle, but we need something that has the same over all feel of the snaffle with more lift.
She doesn't like a lot of shank (and I'm sure I'm too heavy handed or too used to the snaffle when I use a shanked bit and pull more than I should). She's pretty much okay with a little gag, but nothing extreme. I'm really only looking for something to use as a training tool, and possibly a step up bit. My horse likes a change of bits once in a while...if you would say it like that. She works better when there is a change or a different feel for some reason.
Sooo, after all that, what bit would you recommend? I know there are bits I like the looks of, but I'm trying very hard to not become a bit collector...yet. :) Thanks!  | |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| If you like gag Sheri cervi diamond lifter short shank is a nice bit, but it packs a lot of punch, and you need to ride with light hands.
If you are looking for a little lift without gag action the Ed wright short shank is my favorite, but it also needs to be ridden with light hands.
I would ask why your horse needs lift.
Personally I don't lift my horses, I rate them, get their shape and leave them alone. Some of my horses have needed a little more bite in the bit to get them to rate as sometimes when they are running Mach 10 they forget about the rate.
You also need to evaluate what type of pressure you need on your horse, as each gag bit adds poll pressure, and what ratio the bit is will either give you more poll control, or nose control.
Both of the bits I suggested are a 1:1 ratio. | |
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  More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | I like the Ed Wright 3 piece smooth. I use the medium shank but maybe you want the short shank as a step up. | |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | Even when in shape my mare gets a little heavy on the forehand (she is very ratey, very cowy, and very front endy naturally, she probably would have made a better cutter, LOL), so I'm just looking for a "tuning" bit that helps reinforce that butt needs to engage. I hope to go back to a snaffle just for plain riding and for competing, or switch depending on what we need that day. We aren't currently shouldering or anything like that, just needing a light tuning reminder. :)
I'm also planning on working on the "squares" drill to get some things worked out with body placement too, and I think that drill will help. And I'm very excited about my upcoming lessons...I'm sure my instructor will have some great suggestions too. :) | |
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Veteran
Posts: 197
| I have had a couple horses that, I was looking for similar to what you, sound like you are looking for and had good luck with a perfect bit. I haven't liked this bit on many horses, but it really worked for the ones that did not really need more bit, just something to help keep them up a little longer when I tend to go to one hand too soon. | |
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Total Germophobe
Posts: 6437
Location: Montana | rocko - 2014-01-25 12:05 PM I have had a couple horses that, I was looking for similar to what you, sound like you are looking for and had good luck with a perfect bit. I haven't liked this bit on many horses, but it really worked for the ones that did not really need more bit, just something to help keep them up a little longer when I tend to go to one hand too soon.
That sounds exactly like me! Thank you so much for posting! | |
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Another bit question...