|
|
 Expert
Posts: 1286
  
Location: Mississippi | What type of horse are they best for and when do you decide to try one? I have a horse who is constantly playing with the bit, foaming and grinding his teeth - I have tried numerous different bits/mouthpieces all with this same result. Teeth, chiro etc are regularly done and nothing has been found to be causing this. Could it be that he just doesn't like having a bit in his mouth? I have no clue about hackamores or what type to even try on him. He is a big, strong running horse but the only real issue I ever have with him is stopping. Otherwise he is very broke and supple. |
|
| |
|
 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
  
Location: Kansas | I'd possibly look at getting a little S hack. I'm not really familiar with them, but I use to run a gelding who had to have a hack...and the little s worked great for him. |
|
| |
|
  More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | I used to run my mare in a Little S but my reasoning was she was a point and kick type horse and did it herself. The less you had on her head the better she was. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | If you have any trouble stopping I would definitely not recommend a Little S.
You're going to need something with a little leverage, I like the Jim Warner.
Others with nice leverage are the Pozzi and the Ladybug by Reinsman, or you can call Ronny Clampitt and tell him about your horse and he will make you one. Everyone I know that has had one made by him has been pleased. |
|
| |
|
 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | ran mine in a little s, he went to that because I couldn't get him to open up at all in an arena.
is your horse bored?
ETA: I would think playing with the bit that much might mean that he's bored with your routine. mine get that way and it usually means he's ready to try new warm ups and learn new things otherwise he is an 8 yr old little boy with too much energy to focus!
Edited by Crowned Image 2014-07-11 8:47 AM
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1286
Location: Mississippi | I actually have a Jim warner in my tack room so I will try that - never even used it just always been afraid to try it. Is there a big learning curve when switching from a bit to hackamore (mainly for myself)? Is this mainly a competition piece or good for everyday riding also? |
|
| |
|
Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | turtleaut - 2014-07-11 8:47 AM I actually have a Jim warner in my tack room so I will try that - never even used it just always been afraid to try it. Is there a big learning curve when switching from a bit to hackamore (mainly for myself)? Is this mainly a competition piece or good for everyday riding also?
my best friend rides/runs in the jim warner...so it can be an all around bit for the performance and just riding. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1286
Location: Mississippi | I guess he could be bored but he seems to do it in almost any situation. Some bits worse than others. I currently ride him in a grasshopper and run him in a o ring combo with a Mullen mouthpiece. He doesn't do it "as bad" in these but I still get the feel that he just doesn't like these either. |
|
| |
|
 Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | Actually the foaming at the mouth is awesome!! It keeps the mouth moist and sensitive. If I could get all my horses to do that I would be in heaven! Mouthing the bit and foam is a great thing. This is the reason copper was added to most bits. Lucky you. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1286
Location: Mississippi | Could someone post a pic of their horse with the Jim Warner on? I just want to be sure I position it correctly and I couldn't find much when I googled :)
Or maybe if playing with the bit isn't a bad thing I just need to learn to tolerate his carrying on with it. He grinds his teeth against it which is what was really making me think he was "annoyed". Thanks everyone for your replies! |
|
| |
|
 Don't Wanna Make This Awkward
Posts: 3106
Location: Texas | turtleaut - 2014-07-11 2:10 PM Could someone post a pic of their horse with the Jim Warner on? I just want to be sure I position it correctly and I couldn't find much when I googled :)
Or maybe if playing with the bit isn't a bad thing I just need to learn to tolerate his carrying on with it. He grinds his teeth against it which is what was really making me think he was "annoyed". Thanks everyone for your replies!
I don't think you should give up on bits all together. Keep ridong in them at home but find a hackamore he works well in and just run in that! |
|
| |
|
The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| turtleaut - 2014-07-11 2:10 PM
Could someone post a pic of their horse with the Jim Warner on? I just want to be sure I position it correctly and I couldn't find much when I googled :)
Or maybe if playing with the bit isn't a bad thing I just need to learn to tolerate his carrying on with it. He grinds his teeth against it which is what was really making me think he was "annoyed". Thanks everyone for your replies!
I would look into ulcers before I switch bits. As grinding teeth can be a symptom.
Also you loose a lot of your bend when switching to a hack. |
|
| |
|
 A Lady with Fight
Posts: 2701
Location: NC | cheryl makofka - 2014-07-11 8:17 PM
turtleaut - 2014-07-11 2:10 PM
Could someone post a pic of their horse with the Jim Warner on? I just want to be sure I position it correctly and I couldn't find much when I googled :)
Or maybe if playing with the bit isn't a bad thing I just need to learn to tolerate his carrying on with it. He grinds his teeth against it which is what was really making me think he was "annoyed". Thanks everyone for your replies!
I would look into ulcers before I switch bits. As grinding teeth can be a symptom.
Also you loose a lot of your bend when switching to a hack.
I wouldn't say you LOSE a lot of bend. Maybe a little, and that all depends on how you work a horse. If you just get on, long trot, then you're done, then yeah, the horse is going to become stiff, regardless of the bit used. You have to consistently keep them bending, flexing, moving off leg, etc in order to keep that suppleness.
I run mine in a Little S. He's like a wet noodle in a snaffle, so we tried the hack and he snaps back like a champ. Still bends and does everything great on the pattern, but I would never work him in it at home. He's a lazy horse, who will get lazy if I don't keep on him like I need to.
I ride in a short shank lifter to work him in and I do bending/moving off my leg every single time I'm on him. It keeps him from becoming stiff.
Edited by hlynn 2014-07-11 11:18 PM
|
|
| |
Educate me about hackamores