If you see a horse advertised and in every single barrel picture (5+) the horse has on a different bit....what does that tell you about that horse? Not a young horse...I just want to see what you all think.

I think you are a heck of alot more observant than I am to notice.. I never ever thought to look at the bit in the mouth but I dont buy a lot.. but i think I'll pay more attention from now on! 

It wouldn't bother me, I change things up.  Sometimes it depends on what arena I'm at.  Sometimes it depends on how my horse has been running lately.  Sometimes it depends on how she's been working at home.  Sometimes it depends on the person riding her that showed up that day.  (me).  I've kind of realized that if my hands are light and my body is right, the headgear is small part of the equation.

...sometimes it depends on what I have in the trailer that day!

I used to regularly ride my horses in a snaffle or hackamore at home for just exercise and a different bit to actually make a run or for tuning.  I don't think it would be a red flag to me.  But you should ask the seller.  

Oh I'm not horse shopping. Just something I notice from time to time and I've always wondered it should be a red flag. I rarely change bits on my finished horses, so it always seems odd to me. Personally...I feel like if you are changing bits that much then you might be working on an issue...which is an issue I probably don't want lol.

The difference to me is fun time to relax is different than work time. I don't expect my finished horse to be "on" all the time.  I want them to be able to relax and enjoy a leisurely ride through the fields. So I make it easy for them to know it's just for fun.  Maybe I just think differently than others.  

First, I can honestly say that I never pay any attention at all to the bit they are running in unless the horse's head is way out of position or the horse's mouth is gapping open.

Second, if you looked at my granddaughter's pictures you would see a different bit in practically every pic.  I always ask before a run what bit she is going to use and she just never knows until she looks to see what is hanging in the trailer.  Drives me crazy.