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Anybody run in just a snaffle?

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simplytaylor16
Reg. Jul 2019
Posted 2019-12-12 6:03 AM
Subject: Anybody run in just a snaffle?


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Does anybody run in just a snaffle? I posted about what bit to switch to, and I appreciate all the responses and everyone recommended awesome bits, but I am pretty convinced I would just like to try a snaffle version. I think I would like to keep my dogbone mouthpiece since that is what he used to running in? As you can tell from my other posts, he is older and knows his job. He doesn't need anything too harsh, but I still need a little power. I will be staying in a twisted wire though. Does anybody run in a snaffle type and do alright?

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BFN
Reg. Sep 2015
Posted 2019-12-12 7:44 AM
Subject: RE: Anybody run in just a snaffle?


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I run a horse with just a smooth mouthpiece snaffle with a dogbone in it.  The dogbone has a copper roller on it.  I have used the bit on several light-mouthed horses.

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SoDak
Reg. Jan 2013
Posted 2019-12-12 8:15 AM
Subject: RE: Anybody run in just a snaffle?


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Yes, take a look at Hallie Hanssen that is about all she runs in and her winnings speak the success. 

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AmericanJelly1
Reg. Dec 2018
Posted 2019-12-12 9:28 AM
Subject: RE: Anybody run in just a snaffle?


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I run my mare in a smooth mouth locking o-ring snaffle, a normal 2 piece(B). She is very touchy and catty. Idk about your horse and what you currently ride him in but if do switch I would definitely make some practice runs with it first. 

 



Edited by AmericanJelly1 2019-12-12 9:29 AM
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simplytaylor16
Reg. Jul 2019
Posted 2019-12-12 10:20 AM
Subject: RE: Anybody run in just a snaffle?


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Posts: 362
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AmericanJelly1 - 2019-12-12 10:28 AM


I run my mare in a smooth mouth locking o-ring snaffle, a normal 2 piece(B). She is very touchy and catty. Idk about your horse and what you currently ride him in but if do switch I would definitely make some practice runs with it first. 


 



I would to try him in A, except not as thin. 

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chasincansMN
Reg. Oct 2005
Posted 2019-12-12 12:58 PM
Subject: RE: Anybody run in just a snaffle?



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Yes, my ninety nine goldmine mare I run in a locked o-ring snaffle and she runs 1D times. It's a twisted mouth piece - l&w bit. She is the most consistent and honest horse. On a rare occasion I will work her in something else. Be she gets too behind the bit in anything else and if she runs good why change it? :) I don't have another horse on the place I do this with. But she's responsive and if I have to take a hold of her a little I can with this bit and she doesn't get upset about it. 

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r_beau
Reg. Apr 2010
Posted 2019-12-12 1:27 PM
Subject: RE: Anybody run in just a snaffle?



Born not Made


Posts: 2930
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Location: North Dakota

simplytaylor16 - 2019-12-12 6:03 AM


Does anybody run in just a snaffle? I posted about what bit to switch to, and I appreciate all the responses and everyone recommended awesome bits, but I am pretty convinced I would just like to try a snaffle version. I think I would like to keep my dogbone mouthpiece since that is what he used to running in? As you can tell from my other posts, he is older and knows his job. He doesn't need anything too harsh, but I still need a little power. I will be staying in a twisted wire though. Does anybody run in a snaffle type and do alright?


I used to "run" my horse Romeo in a snaffle. I only had him for 2-3 months though and he was just getting started on barrels, so he wasn't finished. But he had really been over-bridled at one point, so I stuck him back in a plain smooth snaffle for all his riding and he did fabulous in it.

Tried on plain snaffle in Dexter. He hated it.  

I'll use a plain snaffle on Shotgun for our English events which he does fine it, but it like something with a bit more "oomph" for barrels for him. He'd go okay in it, and I know he'd listen for running barrels, but not the best choice for him.

Same with Red. I can ride him in a snaffle and I know he would listen for a run, but I don't like that I have to get more handsy with him with the snaffle, so he goes better in a short curb where I can stay light wtih my hands.

 

Use what works for your horse. You can try it, if you've got one, and see how it goes.

 

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simplytaylor16
Reg. Jul 2019
Posted 2019-12-13 5:33 AM
Subject: RE: Anybody run in just a snaffle?


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Posts: 362
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r_beau - 2019-12-12 2:27 PM


simplytaylor16 - 2019-12-12 6:03 AM


Does anybody run in just a snaffle? I posted about what bit to switch to, and I appreciate all the responses and everyone recommended awesome bits, but I am pretty convinced I would just like to try a snaffle version. I think I would like to keep my dogbone mouthpiece since that is what he used to running in? As you can tell from my other posts, he is older and knows his job. He doesn't need anything too harsh, but I still need a little power. I will be staying in a twisted wire though. Does anybody run in a snaffle type and do alright?



I used to "run" my horse Romeo in a snaffle. I only had him for 2-3 months though and he was just getting started on barrels, so he wasn't finished. But he had really been over-bridled at one point, so I stuck him back in a plain smooth snaffle for all his riding and he did fabulous in it.


Tried on plain snaffle in Dexter. He hated it.  


I'll use a plain snaffle on Shotgun for our English events which he does fine it, but it like something with a bit more "oomph" for barrels for him. He'd go okay in it, and I know he'd listen for running barrels, but not the best choice for him.


Same with Red. I can ride him in a snaffle and I know he would listen for a run, but I don't like that I have to get more handsy with him with the snaffle, so he goes better in a short curb where I can stay light wtih my hands.


 


Use what works for your horse. You can try it, if you've got one, and see how it goes.


 


What do you think about the one american jelly posted? I know you don't like twisted, but he most likely is going to have to stay in a twisted. I ride him in a smooth snaffle at home most of the time, I was using a twisted snaffle for a little bit to see the difference but I went back to the smooth. He listens much better in a twisted and when he's feeling good he can be very strong going to the first barrel especially. I go tomorrow to the vet that does the SI injection to see if he also agrees it needs done, and if it does indeed work and solves his problem I know he will be a totally new horse to run again so I definitely need control. Do they do SI x-rays?

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r_beau
Reg. Apr 2010
Posted 2019-12-13 8:25 AM
Subject: RE: Anybody run in just a snaffle?



Born not Made


Posts: 2930
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Location: North Dakota

simplytaylor16 - 2019-12-13 5:33 AM


r_beau - 2019-12-12 2:27 PM


simplytaylor16 - 2019-12-12 6:03 AM


Does anybody run in just a snaffle? I posted about what bit to switch to, and I appreciate all the responses and everyone recommended awesome bits, but I am pretty convinced I would just like to try a snaffle version. I think I would like to keep my dogbone mouthpiece since that is what he used to running in? As you can tell from my other posts, he is older and knows his job. He doesn't need anything too harsh, but I still need a little power. I will be staying in a twisted wire though. Does anybody run in a snaffle type and do alright?



I used to "run" my horse Romeo in a snaffle. I only had him for 2-3 months though and he was just getting started on barrels, so he wasn't finished. But he had really been over-bridled at one point, so I stuck him back in a plain smooth snaffle for all his riding and he did fabulous in it.


Tried on plain snaffle in Dexter. He hated it.  


I'll use a plain snaffle on Shotgun for our English events which he does fine it, but it like something with a bit more "oomph" for barrels for him. He'd go okay in it, and I know he'd listen for running barrels, but not the best choice for him.


Same with Red. I can ride him in a snaffle and I know he would listen for a run, but I don't like that I have to get more handsy with him with the snaffle, so he goes better in a short curb where I can stay light wtih my hands.


 


Use what works for your horse. You can try it, if you've got one, and see how it goes.


 



What do you think about the one american jelly posted? I know you don't like twisted, but he most likely is going to have to stay in a twisted. I ride him in a smooth snaffle at home most of the time, I was using a twisted snaffle for a little bit to see the difference but I went back to the smooth. He listens much better in a twisted and when he's feeling good he can be very strong going to the first barrel especially. I go tomorrow to the vet that does the SI injection to see if he also agrees it needs done, and if it does indeed work and solves his problem I know he will be a totally new horse to run again so I definitely need control. Do they do SI x-rays?


Correct, I am just personally not a fan of twisted mouthpieces nor really skinny mouthpieces. I personally feel that if I need that much "bite" then I haven't done a good enough job training my horse; JMO.

 

I have this snaffle bit from Reinsman as well as the cheaper knockoff version. Of course, the reinsman is better quality but the knockoff one actually isn't too bad -- slightly thinner but not much. The English snaffle bit I use on Shotgun is very similar; just has more of a flat connector piece rather than the dogbone.

 

Yes they can xray the SI but truth be told I don't personally have much experience wtih SI problems since my horses have never had that problem. I suspected Red might have had some problems this past year but I'm not running barrels on him anymore and he was doing alright for our general riding. SI does tend to be more of a "diagnosis of exclusion" because it is a little bit harder to diagnose/treat.

 

If I were you, I would finally x-ray those hocks to see what's going on and if he flexes sore at all in the hocks, I'd inject a steroid in there first (since you've never done that). If need be, you could also inject the SI as well if the vet thinks that may be a problem.

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simplytaylor16
Reg. Jul 2019
Posted 2019-12-13 9:19 AM
Subject: RE: Anybody run in just a snaffle?


Extreme Veteran


Posts: 362
1001001002525

r_beau - 2019-12-13 9:25 AM


simplytaylor16 - 2019-12-13 5:33 AM


r_beau - 2019-12-12 2:27 PM


simplytaylor16 - 2019-12-12 6:03 AM


Does anybody run in just a snaffle? I posted about what bit to switch to, and I appreciate all the responses and everyone recommended awesome bits, but I am pretty convinced I would just like to try a snaffle version. I think I would like to keep my dogbone mouthpiece since that is what he used to running in? As you can tell from my other posts, he is older and knows his job. He doesn't need anything too harsh, but I still need a little power. I will be staying in a twisted wire though. Does anybody run in a snaffle type and do alright?



I used to "run" my horse Romeo in a snaffle. I only had him for 2-3 months though and he was just getting started on barrels, so he wasn't finished. But he had really been over-bridled at one point, so I stuck him back in a plain smooth snaffle for all his riding and he did fabulous in it.


Tried on plain snaffle in Dexter. He hated it.  


I'll use a plain snaffle on Shotgun for our English events which he does fine it, but it like something with a bit more "oomph" for barrels for him. He'd go okay in it, and I know he'd listen for running barrels, but not the best choice for him.


Same with Red. I can ride him in a snaffle and I know he would listen for a run, but I don't like that I have to get more handsy with him with the snaffle, so he goes better in a short curb where I can stay light wtih my hands.


 


Use what works for your horse. You can try it, if you've got one, and see how it goes.


 



What do you think about the one american jelly posted? I know you don't like twisted, but he most likely is going to have to stay in a twisted. I ride him in a smooth snaffle at home most of the time, I was using a twisted snaffle for a little bit to see the difference but I went back to the smooth. He listens much better in a twisted and when he's feeling good he can be very strong going to the first barrel especially. I go tomorrow to the vet that does the SI injection to see if he also agrees it needs done, and if it does indeed work and solves his problem I know he will be a totally new horse to run again so I definitely need control. Do they do SI x-rays?



Correct, I am just personally not a fan of twisted mouthpieces nor really skinny mouthpieces. I personally feel that if I need that much "bite" then I haven't done a good enough job training my horse; JMO.


 


I have this snaffle bit from Reinsman as well as the cheaper knockoff version. Of course, the reinsman is better quality but the knockoff one actually isn't too bad -- slightly thinner but not much. The English snaffle bit I use on Shotgun is very similar; just has more of a flat connector piece rather than the dogbone.


 


Yes they can xray the SI but truth be told I don't personally have much experience wtih SI problems since my horses have never had that problem. I suspected Red might have had some problems this past year but I'm not running barrels on him anymore and he was doing alright for our general riding. SI does tend to be more of a "diagnosis of exclusion" because it is a little bit harder to diagnose/treat.


 


If I were you, I would finally x-ray those hocks to see what's going on and if he flexes sore at all in the hocks, I'd inject a steroid in there first (since you've never done that). If need be, you could also inject the SI as well if the vet thinks that may be a problem.


I can ask about x-raying the hocks, but according to the two vets I've seen in the past 3 weeks, they advised his hocks were flexing great still. So would the hocks still be an issue at this time if he passes the flexing test?

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r_beau
Reg. Apr 2010
Posted 2019-12-14 9:31 PM
Subject: RE: Anybody run in just a snaffle?



Born not Made


Posts: 2930
200050010010010010025
Location: North Dakota

simplytaylor16 - 2019-12-13 9:19 AM


r_beau - 2019-12-13 9:25 AM


simplytaylor16 - 2019-12-13 5:33 AM


r_beau - 2019-12-12 2:27 PM


simplytaylor16 - 2019-12-12 6:03 AM


Does anybody run in just a snaffle? I posted about what bit to switch to, and I appreciate all the responses and everyone recommended awesome bits, but I am pretty convinced I would just like to try a snaffle version. I think I would like to keep my dogbone mouthpiece since that is what he used to running in? As you can tell from my other posts, he is older and knows his job. He doesn't need anything too harsh, but I still need a little power. I will be staying in a twisted wire though. Does anybody run in a snaffle type and do alright?



I used to "run" my horse Romeo in a snaffle. I only had him for 2-3 months though and he was just getting started on barrels, so he wasn't finished. But he had really been over-bridled at one point, so I stuck him back in a plain smooth snaffle for all his riding and he did fabulous in it.


Tried on plain snaffle in Dexter. He hated it.  


I'll use a plain snaffle on Shotgun for our English events which he does fine it, but it like something with a bit more "oomph" for barrels for him. He'd go okay in it, and I know he'd listen for running barrels, but not the best choice for him.


Same with Red. I can ride him in a snaffle and I know he would listen for a run, but I don't like that I have to get more handsy with him with the snaffle, so he goes better in a short curb where I can stay light wtih my hands.


 


Use what works for your horse. You can try it, if you've got one, and see how it goes.


 



What do you think about the one american jelly posted? I know you don't like twisted, but he most likely is going to have to stay in a twisted. I ride him in a smooth snaffle at home most of the time, I was using a twisted snaffle for a little bit to see the difference but I went back to the smooth. He listens much better in a twisted and when he's feeling good he can be very strong going to the first barrel especially. I go tomorrow to the vet that does the SI injection to see if he also agrees it needs done, and if it does indeed work and solves his problem I know he will be a totally new horse to run again so I definitely need control. Do they do SI x-rays?



Correct, I am just personally not a fan of twisted mouthpieces nor really skinny mouthpieces. I personally feel that if I need that much "bite" then I haven't done a good enough job training my horse; JMO.


 


I have this snaffle bit from Reinsman as well as the cheaper knockoff version. Of course, the reinsman is better quality but the knockoff one actually isn't too bad -- slightly thinner but not much. The English snaffle bit I use on Shotgun is very similar; just has more of a flat connector piece rather than the dogbone.


 


Yes they can xray the SI but truth be told I don't personally have much experience wtih SI problems since my horses have never had that problem. I suspected Red might have had some problems this past year but I'm not running barrels on him anymore and he was doing alright for our general riding. SI does tend to be more of a "diagnosis of exclusion" because it is a little bit harder to diagnose/treat.


 


If I were you, I would finally x-ray those hocks to see what's going on and if he flexes sore at all in the hocks, I'd inject a steroid in there first (since you've never done that). If need be, you could also inject the SI as well if the vet thinks that may be a problem.



I can ask about x-raying the hocks, but according to the two vets I've seen in the past 3 weeks, they advised his hocks were flexing great still. So would the hocks still be an issue at this time if he passes the flexing test?


YES.

I've told this story before, but my horse Red flexed JUST FINE on several vet visits and then I pushed to get x-rays and he had extremely advanced fusion in the right hock, that he did not let on during flexions. I had been having issues with his barrel turns and when we finally injected his hocks after seeing those x-rays, he magically started working right. I wish I had pushed for x-rays sooner b/c it would have saved 6+ months of trouble.

Since then, all my horses at least get baseline x-rays of their hocks at some point. In my mind, it is very much worth the money. That, and front feet. I'm also pretty anal about their front feet.

So yes, I would still x-ray your horses hocks, especially since he has so many things going on. His knee, his stifles, his SI ... and probably his hocks. He's  got a lot going on.

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della
Reg. Apr 2011
Posted 2019-12-15 7:10 PM
Subject: RE: Anybody run in just a snaffle?



Peecans


2000100050010010010010025

This mare goes in just a basic smooth o ring

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simplytaylor16
Reg. Jul 2019
Posted 2019-12-16 6:43 AM
Subject: RE: Anybody run in just a snaffle?


Extreme Veteran


Posts: 362
1001001002525

r_beau - 2019-12-14 10:31 PM


simplytaylor16 - 2019-12-13 9:19 AM


r_beau - 2019-12-13 9:25 AM


simplytaylor16 - 2019-12-13 5:33 AM


r_beau - 2019-12-12 2:27 PM


simplytaylor16 - 2019-12-12 6:03 AM


Does anybody run in just a snaffle? I posted about what bit to switch to, and I appreciate all the responses and everyone recommended awesome bits, but I am pretty convinced I would just like to try a snaffle version. I think I would like to keep my dogbone mouthpiece since that is what he used to running in? As you can tell from my other posts, he is older and knows his job. He doesn't need anything too harsh, but I still need a little power. I will be staying in a twisted wire though. Does anybody run in a snaffle type and do alright?



I used to "run" my horse Romeo in a snaffle. I only had him for 2-3 months though and he was just getting started on barrels, so he wasn't finished. But he had really been over-bridled at one point, so I stuck him back in a plain smooth snaffle for all his riding and he did fabulous in it.


Tried on plain snaffle in Dexter. He hated it.  


I'll use a plain snaffle on Shotgun for our English events which he does fine it, but it like something with a bit more "oomph" for barrels for him. He'd go okay in it, and I know he'd listen for running barrels, but not the best choice for him.


Same with Red. I can ride him in a snaffle and I know he would listen for a run, but I don't like that I have to get more handsy with him with the snaffle, so he goes better in a short curb where I can stay light wtih my hands.


 


Use what works for your horse. You can try it, if you've got one, and see how it goes.


 



What do you think about the one american jelly posted? I know you don't like twisted, but he most likely is going to have to stay in a twisted. I ride him in a smooth snaffle at home most of the time, I was using a twisted snaffle for a little bit to see the difference but I went back to the smooth. He listens much better in a twisted and when he's feeling good he can be very strong going to the first barrel especially. I go tomorrow to the vet that does the SI injection to see if he also agrees it needs done, and if it does indeed work and solves his problem I know he will be a totally new horse to run again so I definitely need control. Do they do SI x-rays?



Correct, I am just personally not a fan of twisted mouthpieces nor really skinny mouthpieces. I personally feel that if I need that much "bite" then I haven't done a good enough job training my horse; JMO.


 


I have this snaffle bit from Reinsman as well as the cheaper knockoff version. Of course, the reinsman is better quality but the knockoff one actually isn't too bad -- slightly thinner but not much. The English snaffle bit I use on Shotgun is very similar; just has more of a flat connector piece rather than the dogbone.


 


Yes they can xray the SI but truth be told I don't personally have much experience wtih SI problems since my horses have never had that problem. I suspected Red might have had some problems this past year but I'm not running barrels on him anymore and he was doing alright for our general riding. SI does tend to be more of a "diagnosis of exclusion" because it is a little bit harder to diagnose/treat.


 


If I were you, I would finally x-ray those hocks to see what's going on and if he flexes sore at all in the hocks, I'd inject a steroid in there first (since you've never done that). If need be, you could also inject the SI as well if the vet thinks that may be a problem.



I can ask about x-raying the hocks, but according to the two vets I've seen in the past 3 weeks, they advised his hocks were flexing great still. So would the hocks still be an issue at this time if he passes the flexing test?



YES.


I've told this story before, but my horse Red flexed JUST FINE on several vet visits and then I pushed to get x-rays and he had extremely advanced fusion in the right hock, that he did not let on during flexions. I had been having issues with his barrel turns and when we finally injected his hocks after seeing those x-rays, he magically started working right. I wish I had pushed for x-rays sooner b/c it would have saved 6+ months of trouble.


Since then, all my horses at least get baseline x-rays of their hocks at some point. In my mind, it is very much worth the money. That, and front feet. I'm also pretty anal about their front feet.


So yes, I would still x-ray your horses hocks, especially since he has so many things going on. His knee, his stifles, his SI ... and probably his hocks. He's  got a lot going on.


The reason why they weren't concerned about x-raying the hocks was because he responded to the injections. I'm not disagreeing with you and yes I should still x-ray them, but I believe that is the reason why they haven't been concerned. He did not pass the test before injections, but after now he does. Personally I think he needed this done before I got him at almost 13, and I am dealing with the consequences of him compensating on other areas. His teeth being terrible when I first got him I assume is why his tmj is messed up, not sure what you can do to maintain a club foot, but that I have kept shoes on. I mean I got him as a mess, he was a total mess. I'm just trying to fix everything the best I can. I did not take him to the vet when I first got him, I wish I did, but I didn't. I didn't see any of these issues besides the teeth and the foot, until around spring or beginning of summer. I figured since he wasn't rode much before me he would be fine, but that isn't the case obviously. I regret not taking him when I first got him big time, but I also did not know at that time either how important that was. I was still very very new to the barrel racing world and listened to the people that told he was fine and he didn't need to go. Then I met someone that told me I should definitely take him, so I did. He responded very well to the hock injections for a few months, then gradually started showing me something else hurt. Which the vet said he might do. I see the signs now when I think back, but before I did not. The vet squeezed me in Saturday even though he was full since he could not make it last Wednesday. I brought him, he injected the SI, I asked if he would have time to do the knee really quick and he did. The hock x-rays will have to wait until another appointment is made. I am not deliberately avoiding it, I hope you believe me on that. There is just a lot going on with him and I don't have all the time and the money right now. The SI and knee was the final areas they recommended doing. I mean they said they would've waited on the knee, but it was much more reactive than the other one so I just asked for them to please do it because with how reactive it was compared to the other one. If I am still having problems after this, I will call and make an appointment specifically for x-rays. I do believe you do know what you're talking about, but just remember I also have to listen to what my vet is saying too. I'm sure if I still have issues after this, they would be more convinced to do x-rays. I just want to point out I'm trying the best I can. I know it probably doesn't seem like it, but I am. A lot of people at home think I'm dumb for even taking him back to vet in the first place and he is fine.

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