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 Member
Posts: 26
Location: Florida | My sister's horse is typically pretty soft in the mouth, but when he gets hot he has very little respect for a rockin' S snaffle. She doesn't want to get a stronger bit for him for fear that he'll become more hard-mouthed. However, I want her to be safe and have a little extra stopping power should she need it (she is an extremely soft-handed rider). Do any of you know of any good bits that are gentle enough for regular riding and such but have enough bite to keep him under control when/if he gets a little hot or spooky? On a side note, he is also picky with bits.
Thank you all in advance! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1898
  
| Keeping a horse in a light bit for fear of making them hard mouthed is silly. If you keep a horse in a snaffle and find you have to pull harder and harder on the snaffle to get a response when the horse is getting hot, that will cause a hard mouth. You are better off to step up to a little more bit and have to use less pull than to have less bit and more pull.
I would try a Carol Goosetree Simplicity or her Delight bit or a short shanked working cow horse. I use both of these as a step up from a snaffle. The Simplicity can be used with or without a curb strap.
Edited by cyount2009 2015-12-18 11:51 AM
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  Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7617
 
Location: Dubach, LA | Not silly at all. Be sure to borrow and try before you buy. Lots of step ups. You might even get good results from a Clampitt hack. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 509
| Call dutton bits those guys can tell you what you need there good at listening and advising |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | If you want a soft bit you need to look into Shallow Creek bits, I love my Clover bits I have one in the dog bone and one in a chain mouth piece.
Edit to add; this one is the broken, I dont have this one but have the other mouth pieces that I was telling you about I just wanted to show you the cheek pieces.
Edited by Southtxponygirl 2015-12-19 9:56 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 509
| You can actually make a horse heavey by underbitting them, it's constant work keeping one light be mindful of your hands and don't be afraid to move up to a stronger bit |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 509
| You can actually make a horse heavey by underbitting them, it's constant work keeping one light be mindful of your hands and don't be afraid to move up to a stronger bit |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 477
Location: Lost in the swamps | tin can - 2015-12-20 7:27 AM
You can actually make a horse heavey by underbitting them, it's constant work keeping one light be mindful of your hands and don't be afraid to move up to a stronger bit
^^^this don't be afraid to try a different bit to keep them backed off and respecting your hands. Take him to a schooling show go early and try to work him in the ally.let him relax when he gets in there and work him on the outside. Also I don't ride I the same bits I run in everyday. They only see those bits when I'm making a practice run or in competition. I have a lot of bits and frequently change up bits while exercising during the week to target what needs work. I laugh when people say "if he can't ride in a snaffle he's not broke" if that was the case there wouldn't be as big of a bit market as there is.. And my tack room would only need one bridle rack not 40. Lol |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 509
| Your so right there is no recipe, try different bits some horses I never use martingale a tiedowns draw reins some I do I enjoy getting one real broke I don't mind taking the time to face break one one lesson I learned was keeping one in an oring too long it makes them heavey and cheat you a little |
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Member
Posts: 26
Location: Florida | You have all been very helpful! Thank you each for taking the time to help my sister and I. :) |
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