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boon
Posts: 1
| After being out of the horse world for several years I have recently been trying to get back into it and have realized that I have forgotten a lot and did not actually know as much as I thought...so...I need some help. I watched this video yesterday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uRVmTA-Gic with Dena Kirkpatrick and Casey Deary talking about Jim Edwards bits; and I now question everything I thought I knew about bits. I have always been taught that the o-ring snaffle is the softest, kindest bit you can use on a horse and bits like in the video are super severe and if you care about horsemanship, being a good rider etc. then you do not need those, you just need a snaffle.
Here are my questions:
Why is the snaffle not the softest bit?
Who should use a snaffle, and why?
Do you use a different bit at home/in practice than you do for running? If so, why?
If you were working with someone that lacked riding ability, feel, and understanding of body control, what kind of bit would you recommend them?
Assuming you prioritize horsemanship and being as soft as possible, how do you go about choosing a bit?
What are your favorite bits, and why?
Are there quality, and affordable correction bits that aren't $190?
I really appreciate any help I can get. Thanks! | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 338
Location: NE TX | I can't answer all your questions cause I get overwhelmed myself choosing bits. I use a different bit at home vs when I run cause she is light but also not at the same time if that makes sense and gets really on the muscle. Her bit I run her in, is pretty much strictly what I run in so that she "knows" the difference between run and work. I will still work her in the bit I run her in every now and again.
Every rider rides different. No matter how much you train with someone, you will ride different than them. So each bit works differently. Best bet is find a friend that has a LOT of bits and go try some out. That's what I did
My three favorite bits are my Carol Goosetree double gag dog bone. It is light but can have some PAY ATTENTION TO ME if needed. I also love my Bozo hackamore. It comes in long and short shank (I have the short). I also love the Sherry Cervi bits dog bone bits. Those seem to fit my hands the best with what I've ridden. I have a friend that ran my mare recently and instead of running her in the CG dog bone I run in, she ran her in a chain mouth piece.
You can find used bits and off brand bits online. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 883
Location: Southern Indiana | Why is the snaffle not the softest bit? Any bit can be harsh if used incorrectly. IMO a smooth mouth snaffle is usually the softest and the best starting point after a side pull.
Who should use a snaffle, and why? O-rings (d rings...etc) are used when introducing a horse to the bit because they are pretty basic and don't touch on too many pressure points at once. They are also useful to go back to the basic and re-teach a horse how to respond. Some horses stay in them and like them. Most progress though.
Do you use a different bit at home/in practice than you do for running? If so, why? Yes-most of the time I will use something different depending on if I want a different feel or maybe I just don't want to use something as severe daily. Not that my competition bit is "severe" but it would provoke a quicker response than I might need daily. I think the biggest benefit is just keeping the fresh and not dull. Working off different pressure points keeps them lighter.
If you were working with someone that lacked riding ability, feel, and understanding of body control, what kind of bit would you recommend them? This totally depends on the horse. There is no one answer. Each horse works best is something different. Some riders may need more response others may need to stay out of the horses way.
Assuming you prioritize horsemanship and being as soft as possible, how do you go about choosing a bit? I different bits at each level and I progress my horses and try different things until I find what they like. Be adventurous and try new things. They will tell you what works. The least severe bit is the one the horse prefers the most. The better they respond - the less you'll have to pull.
What are your favorite bits, and why? Lifters-twisted wire, twisted w/ dog bone, 3 piece chain, locked or gag, 5-8 inch shanks. I like draw gags a lot for slow work.
Are there quality, and affordable correction bits that aren't $190? Yes. Reinsman would be one prime example. I haven't watched the video but I've saw Dena talk about correction bits before and I think the purpose is to just show versatility. You don't always have to use a "barrel racing" bit and that correction bits aren't always as harsh are we think they are in our minds.
Edited by TheDutchMan01 2018-04-19 2:55 PM
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 575
| HopefulRunner - 2018-04-19 12:36 PM
After being out of the horse world for several years I have recently been trying to get back into it and have realized that I have forgotten a lot and did not actually know as much as I thought...so...I need some help. I watched this video yesterday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uRVmTA-Gic with Dena Kirkpatrick and Casey Deary talking about Jim Edwards bits; and I now question everything I thought I knew about bits. I have always been taught that the o-ring snaffle is the softest, kindest bit you can use on a horse and bits like in the video are super severe and if you care about horsemanship, being a good rider etc. then you do not need those, you just need a snaffle.
Here are my questions:
Why is the snaffle not the softest bit?
Who should use a snaffle, and why?
Do you use a different bit at home/in practice than you do for running? If so, why?
If you were working with someone that lacked riding ability, feel, and understanding of body control, what kind of bit would you recommend them?
Assuming you prioritize horsemanship and being as soft as possible, how do you go about choosing a bit?
What are your favorite bits, and why?
Are there quality, and affordable correction bits that aren't $190?
I really appreciate any help I can get. Thanks!
Why is the snaffle not the softest bit?
I thought they did a good job explaining in the video about why it's not the softest bit. A soft horse (with a soft handed jockey) will more than likely be able to ride around in a snaffle without issue, but that doesn't necessarily make the bit itself soft. I think that's where the confusion comes in.
Do you use a different bit at home/in practice than you do for running? If so, why?
Yes I ride in different bits at home than I run in. But I don't have only one bit that I run in either. I choose based on what I'm trying to accomplish that day. And not going to lie, I've forgotten my "running bit" at home and made runs in my "every day bit" before.
If you were working with someone that lacked riding ability, feel, and understanding of body control, what kind of bit would you recommend them?
If someone lacks ability/feel/body control, I think the appropriate recommendation is lessons. Not a specific bit.
Assuming you prioritize horsemanship and being as soft as possible, how do you go about choosing a bit?
Choosing a bit is going to depend largely on the horse and how they respond. Different horses get different things out of different bits. Heck, one horse gets different things out of different bits. I would start research on what bits do what. What more breaks in the mouth piece do, what different sizes of gag do, why shank length matters, etc.
What are your favorite bits, and why?
Favorites bits for every day riding would be draw gags. But I own everything from 2 pieces to chains, so I can't say I have a favorite mouth piece.
Are there quality, and affordable correction bits that aren't $190?
I think Professionals Choice has some corrections for $80ish. | |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Why is the snaffle not the softest bit?
The snaffle isn't the softest bit because it's broken in one spot. That one spot can jam into the horses mouth with the wrong hands on the reins. For a good rider with soft hands, it's fine.
Who should use a snaffle, and why?
Usually most horses are started in snaffles. Why? Because they are fairly gentle.
Do you use a different bit at home/in practice than you do for running? If so, why?
Yes. Sometimes. It depends on what I want my horses to do. Sometimes they need work on bending or flexing, sometimes they need help picking up the shoulder, sometimes they need more whoa put back in. Sometimes I just use whatever I grab first.
If you were working with someone that lacked riding ability, feel, and understanding of body control, what kind of bit would you recommend them?
That is a hard question. I think something in a dogbone mouthpiece would be a place to start. It also depends on what sort of horse they are on. If you put an uneducated rider on a well-educated horse, you don't want them in something severe because they could hurt the horse pulling or yanking. If you put the un-educated on an uneducated horse...well, that's just a disaster waiting to happen.
Assuming you prioritize horsemanship and being as soft as possible, how do you go about choosing a bit?
I chose my bits for my new gelding by trial and error. He was ridden in a Tom Thumb before I got him. Those are definitely my most hated bits. I started off with a dog bone snaffle, went to dog bone shanked bits, locked and gag, went to a mullen mouth, then went to chain. Finally decided he hated bits and went to a Jim warner hackamore. Tried a little S, he ran through it. Stuck with the Jim Warner and he prefers it.
Start light and get heavier. Do NOT choose a new bit out of the tack room to go to a show with. Always try them several times at home first!
What are your favorite bits, and why?
Reinsman O-ring combo bit - for a light horse, pulls on the nose, then adds bit if needed
Jim warner Hack - control and stopping power with ability to lift shouders
dog bone snaffle - nice easy snaffle to work with that doesn't poke the roof of their mouth
Chain snaffle. - Super light
CJ Grasshopper - Excellent mouthpiece with lots of lift.
Are there quality, and affordable correction bits that aren't $190?
Yes. I was (haven't needed new options lately!) an ebay-o-holic. Lots of good bits there.
Now I'm a Bit Auction Fb stalker. Excellent selection there, but you have to know people to get in.
Reinsman bits are good quality. You don't have to have a Tom Balding or other custom. | |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| It's considered the softest because it has a 1:1 ratio. Meaning for every pound of pressure you apply that is what is exerted. It also has the fewest pressure points; no curb, pole, palate pressure and if you ask me I don't think that it has that much bar pressure either. Unless you are pulling straight down you get more tongue and cheek.
Snaffle's are always a good choice to start one in for all the reasons above. You don't want to scare a young horse or make them feel trapped. I try to quickly move them on to something else however, only going back to a loose ring snaffle if I have lost flexion. Even on a very soft mouthed horse, once they have matured in their training I don't want the snaffle to begin to do the opposite effect than its intended.
I use what works and only change if something's broken. Wise saying, "if it aint broke don't fix it"
I'd put her in a halter. Why punish the horse for her issues. Feel, body control, and riding ability can all be done in a halter.
You chose a bit that gives you the quickest response with the least amount of pressure and resistance.
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