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Member
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Location: illinois | i'm training my 4 year old gelding with Clinton Anderson training methods, for a foundation. i'm getting him soft and respectful in a smooth ring snaffle. I've done 2 play days shows , but i don't know what bit is good for a light handed rider with an inexperienced horse. i dont know if i should race in something different than what i practice in either. i need a few light, and effective bit suggestions for rodeo. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 1162
 
Location: White Mountains of AZ | rachael9705 - 2014-12-30 7:04 AM
i'm training my 4 year old gelding with Clinton Anderson training methods, for a foundation. i'm getting him soft and respectful in a smooth ring snaffle. I've done 2 play days shows , but i don't know what bit is good for a light handed rider with an inexperienced horse. i dont know if i should race in something different than what i practice in either. i need a few light, and effective bit suggestions for rodeo.
I start mine in a smooth snaffle. I forgot the actual name, but my young horses respond pretty nice. My gelding is super light, so I trail ride in either that snaffle or a wonder gag bit. I run in a twisted wire short shank slider bit. It was a present so I have no idea what it's called. But it's not severe at all. I have super light hands, and he is super light, it seems to be doing awesome so far. I always like competing in something other than my training/trail bit. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | Is your colt not responding well to the snaffle? What are the issues you are having that makes you think you need a new bit? If he is working well in the snaffle I would leave it alone.
Transition bits I like to use are basically anything with gag movement so they can slowly adjust. For example a draw gag, a carol goosetree bit, a tender touch, something of that nature. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| BamaCanChaser - 2014-12-30 12:23 PM Is your colt not responding well to the snaffle? What are the issues you are having that makes you think you need a new bit? If he is working well in the snaffle I would leave it alone. Transition bits I like to use are basically anything with gag movement so they can slowly adjust. For example a draw gag, a carol goosetree bit, a tender touch, something of that nature.
this ^^ |
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  Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | Whatever you go to make sure you have practiced in it. I like sticking with just a plain western D Ring and just go to a little harder bit if I'm specifically working on something and fine tuning, or they're really running harder. But if I'm just riding around, practicing and not pushing I stick with a snaffle. |
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Member
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Location: illinois | BamaCanChaser - 2014-12-30 12:23 PM
Is your colt not responding well to the snaffle? What are the issues you are having that makes you think you need a new bit? If he is working well in the snaffle I would leave it alone.
well he is sometimes heavy but yes for the most part he is good. i just need a competition bit that is light and not severe. |
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Member
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Location: illinois | Fairweather - 2014-12-30 3:45 PM
Whatever you go to make sure you have practiced in it. I like sticking with just a plain western D Ring and just go to a little harder bit if I'm specifically working on something and fine tuning, or they're really running harder. But if I'm just riding around, practicing and not pushing I stick with a snaffle.
so when i do ask for more in the arena what would you recommend? |
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Member
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Location: illinois | has anyone used the Jim Warner hackamore to rodeo? what would you practice in? |
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Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | rachael9705 - 2014-12-30 7:44 PM Fairweather - 2014-12-30 3:45 PM Whatever you go to make sure you have practiced in it. I like sticking with just a plain western D Ring and just go to a little harder bit if I'm specifically working on something and fine tuning, or they're really running harder. But if I'm just riding around, practicing and not pushing I stick with a snaffle. so when i do ask for more in the arena what would you recommend?
Something with a little more shank but not much. junior cow horse, or a futurity type snaffle. Kind of depends on what they need help with too. If they need more bend, less shank. If they need to rate a little more or get on their butt maybe a shank or nose piece. Nothing heavy but kind of a step up bit. |
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Member
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Location: illinois | what exactly is a gag bit supposed to do? |
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