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 Elite Veteran
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Location: GODS country | I have a very soft mouthed gelding and was told to try a correction or port bit on him as he is not running good inside. Usually run in him a Goostree delight smooth mouth outdoors with no issues, however, inside he doesn't want to tuck his butt or turn his first.
What is your experience with these bits?
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  More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
  
Location: Riding Crackhead. | I just switched one of my geldings to a Wright Preztel bit. So far I love it and will make my first run in it 1st weekend in December. |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Is it possible he has trouble finding first inside? Then he runs by it because he's busy looking for it, or because he's busy looking at the stands, etc inside?
I can't think a port bit would instantly make him turn, or any bit for that matter. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 814
Location: Central California | I have to agree with other post about the issue is more due to fact that your inside than the bit. Also a port bit is pretty extreme if you have a soft mouth, it work very different. That said my experience with horses that do not like indoor pens has more to do with sounds inside the pen. I stuff their ears with cotton or tampons. Think about all those NFR horses who have their ears stuffed. A simple thing to try before you go and change bits. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 795
Location: GODS country | He is fine indoors, stands, lights, people etc., doesn't bother him, however, you might be right about him trying to find the first barrel indoors might be the issue. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | That is going to be a big change from the Goosetree! You are not going to have much bend/lift, and a lot more whoa. Way more whoa. I think putting corrections on such a soft mouthed horse can really scare them and make them work worse because they become intimidated.
I agree that he may be having trouble finding his first. Does he still turn 2 & 3 the same? How old is he? Has he hauled to indoors a lot? If he's not as experienced with indoors I would probably try taking him in a little slower to the first barrel than what you do outdoors. Like if you can really hustle him to the first outdoors, just let him pick his own speed to the first indoors for a little while.
Or if you really think a bit change may help get his attention on the task at hand I wouldn't jump straight to something with that big of a port. There's a lot to choose from between the Goosetree and this bit. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1631
Location: Somewhere around here | BamaCanChaser - 2013-11-25 10:16 AM
That is going to be a big change from the Goosetree! You are not going to have much bend/lift, and a lot more whoa. Way more whoa. I think putting corrections on such a soft mouthed horse can really scare them and make them work worse because they become intimidated.
I agree that he may be having trouble finding his first. Does he still turn 2 & 3 the same? How old is he? Has he hauled to indoors a lot? If he's not as experienced with indoors I would probably try taking him in a little slower to the first barrel than what you do outdoors. Like if you can really hustle him to the first outdoors, just let him pick his own speed to the first indoors for a little while.
Or if you really think a bit change may help get his attention on the task at hand I wouldn't jump straight to something with that big of a port. There's a lot to choose from between the Goosetree and this bit.
I agree. It is a huge transition from a Goosetree to a ported bit. Switching from an inch of gag to none can be a little too overwhelming for a soft mouthed horse.
I personally have my (soon to be) 5 year old in a low port on barrel just because he's too bendy and needed something stiffer. But the bit that you posted would be too much port. Maybe after a long time of moving from a snaffle to a low port, then medium port, then finally a high port would work but not from a Goosetree and immediately to that.
I suggest if he's too stiff, either put him in a longer shank and/or a full chain mouthpiece. If he's too bendy and just need him to snap back a little more, possibly try a mullen mouthpiece bit or a snaffle mouthpiece bit with some stiff sides, or/and a very light gag.
Edited by cecollins0811 2013-11-25 11:12 AM
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| Can you post an outdoor video and then an indoor so we can compare? |
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 Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | Sounds like his eyes haven't adjusted to the light change and is missing the first barrel. Give a moment to adjust and then go for it. I started taking mine inside to allow light change and it has been a big difference in how we come around first. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 417
Location: CA | Corrections and ports aren't harsh or extreme bits at all. I think the name "correction" scares alot of people off, but it actually refers to the action of the mouthpiece, not the fact that you're "correcting" certain behaviors with the bit. It's actually a very good bit to transition youngsters to when coming out of a snaffle because the action of the mouthpiece provides a light warning before fully engaging and can "correct" slight mistakes from riders hands. Ports and corrections are going to give you much more vertical flexion as opposed to lateral flexion, so whether or not you choose to use one would really depend on what you're looking for from your horse. If he's not getting his hind end up underneath himself, this may help somewhat. Sometimes as barrel racers we tend to get our horses too lateral, then they can get strung out behind. For a very clear description of both these mouthpieces and their specific purpose, Bob Avila has written some very good articles in Horse and Rider magazine. They can be found online in their archived articles. |
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