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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 871
  
Location: Bama | I know I've seen people riding with bits that have two sets of reins. One set is attached by the mouthpiece (snaffle like) and the other set is attached on a shank. I want to try working with the basics on my new guy but want to be able to stop him if needed. He hasn't given me any major problems with stopping. However, this is what I was told to run him in and what I bought.
http://www.nrsworld.com/nrs/nrs-workman-short-shank-horse-bit--4490
I think it'd be great for him if he hadn't been turned out for a couple years. I want to work on flexing and bending, and this bit isn't cutting it. Any suggestions on a good bit that can be used like a snaffle OR shanked bit?
Edited by palominopaintlover 2015-10-09 7:09 PM
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | I'd put him back in a snaffle if your goal is to solidify the basics. That bit would not be appropriate to use with a double bridle anyways.
Double bridles are double bridles, not one bit with two reins. They incorporate a snaffle and a leverage bit, each with its own set of reins.
I'd suggest taking him back to a snaffle and possibly working with a trainer to help you and guide both of you in the right direction both under saddle and in selecting equipment. It doesn't sound like you or your horse should be using the bit you posted.
Edited by svincent 2015-10-09 7:51 PM
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 No Tune in a Bucket
Posts: 2935
Location: Texas | One of my sons used that bit on his hard mouth team roping horse but I never considered it as a bit for a barrel horse. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| We have used the Workman bit on a barrel horse before with very good results, but he was the only one we ever used it on. I was never comfortable using it, but my sister was successful with it. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 871
Location: Bama | This horse is 20yo and was a 1d/2d horse that's been sitting for 2-3yrs. He just needs a refresher. That bit is what he was ran in so I bought it per the previous owners recommendation. It looks similar to the Rutledge roper, but it isn't fixed. The workman swivels.
I know the Workman could very easily be a harsh bit. With it being recommended, I am hesitant to put a regular o-ring on him. Granted he may be fine doing slow work. 
I did some more research, and it's not the double bridle mentioned. I was thinking of a pelham. One bit acts as two. I believe it's used more in the English world.
If you could recommend a decent trainer/instructor in the area, I'd be there in a heart beat. I live in SW Alabama. |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| I used to run an older gelding in a long shank correction bit but schooled him in a snaffle with no problem. He was really hard to stop after his run- we actually ran over a calf horse who was standing in the alley. I will say after 6 months of taking dressage lessons, I no longer could run him in the correction bit, it was too much. I ran him in a little gag bit after that. This was a pro caliber horse, 16 years old. So maybe you could try a snaffle in a small pen to be safe at first.  |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 871
Location: Bama | GLP - 2015-10-09 9:42 PM
I used to run an older gelding in a long shank correction bit but schooled him in a snaffle with no problem. He was really hard to stop after his run- we actually ran over a calf horse who was standing in the alley. I will say after 6 months of taking dressage lessons, I no longer could run him in the correction bit, it was too much. I ran him in a little gag bit after that. This was a pro caliber horse, 16 years old. So maybe you could try a snaffle in a small pen to be safe at first.
That's probably what I'll do. Though the whole tuck and roll thing doesn't work as good the older I get.  It doesn't help that he's taller than me either. Lol
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 851
Location: West Texas | The workman is not your bit for flex at all.
The two rein bits are Pelham (mostly English type). I see no use to them really. Two rein in cow horse is different but I doubt much benefit to barrel racing either.
If ultimate flex is what your after, chain bits, of some variation, are about the best.
Edited by Tdove 2015-10-09 10:48 PM
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | svincent - 2015-10-09 7:46 PM I'd put him back in a snaffle if your goal is to solidify the basics. That bit would not be appropriate to use with a double bridle anyways. Double bridles are double bridles, not one bit with two reins. They incorporate a snaffle and a leverage bit, each with its own set of reins. I'd suggest taking him back to a snaffle and possibly working with a trainer to help you and guide both of you in the right direction both under saddle and in selecting equipment. It doesn't sound like you or your horse should be using the bit you posted.
I think OP's thinking of something along the lines of a pelham, not an actual double bridle. Maybe I misunderstood?
I always prefer to get horses back to snaffles but to answer your question, I have used pelhams on strong english horses, I don't see why you couldn't use it on your barrel horse, at least for slow work. Depending on how you adjust your reins, you can work just off the snaffle ring or the curb or both. I used this bit http://www.doversaddlery.com/happy-mouth-jointed-mth-pelham/p/X1-01677/?ids=ysodzhmj12rr3it0ejxqmhwa on a massive, strong grand prix jumper I used to ride. |
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Veteran
Posts: 231
Location: Nashvegas | Also if you want to try a pelham, you can get (don't know the exact term) but connecter to join the two pieces and use one rein. As seen here: http://www.onestopequineshop.com/horse-bits-spurs/english-horse-bits/horse-bit-accessories/shires-bit-converters/?gdftrk=gdfV25259_a_7c3203_a_7c12394_a_7c88035&gclid=CjwKEAjw7uKwBRDUlJvRo-z6rgMSJACbmSBhPElNSkVR_Rnx5x2UKRIC5RJU9DufAbBpphay-B9M2BoCRtfw_wcB&ad=47826638899
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | You can use a Pelham with one rein just like any other leverage bit. I can think of zero reasons to use it with a two-rein configuration while working a barrel horse. No matter where you adjust it, a Pelham will never have snaffle action, it will always have leverage - just the amount of it changes.
Like somebody else suggested: a chain bit will give your more flex, as will anything with some gag action. Perhaps try something along the lines of a junior cow horse? Or a chain mouthed derby bit by Professional's Choice?
The workman bit is something I REALLY struggle to see being beneficial for a barrel horse, but if it works for him to run in then alrighty. Perhaps run him in that if you want, but do slow work and schooling in a snaffle or gag to reinforce flexion? |
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