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Regular
Posts: 50
| Hello everyone! I've never been a big BIT person. There are people that know what a bit is, how it works and what results to expect. I've never been that way. I use the bit that someone tells me to use and never change it. So, I'm in desperate need to broaden my horizon on bit education. Does anyone have any tips or tricks that help them remember bits...
I'd love to know WHY you use certain bits over other bits, etc. Or, if you have a website that you recommend that would be great.
Here's to becoming a better horsewoman! :)
Thanks in advance. | |
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 Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
  
Location: N Texas | Here's some basic info to get you started:
Snaffle bits do not have shanks, and are still called snaffle bits regardless of mouthpiece. If the reins are attached to the end of shanks, it is NOT a snaffle bit, it is a leverage bit.
The longer the shanks, the more pressure you are putting on the horse's mouth. Straight shanks are more "severe" than curved or swept-back shanks.
The longer the purchase (the part of the bit between the mouth piece and where it attaches to the headstall), the more poll pressure that is applied when pulling back on the reins.
Typically, the more breaks a mouth piece has, the more comfortable it is (solid/one joint in the middle/three-piece with dogbone/chain, etc). A chain mouth might look severe, but it's actually very comfortable because it conforms to a horse's mouth better than a more solid mouth piece. However, thinner and twisted mouth pieces are more severe than smooth, fatter mouth pieces, regardless of how many breaks it has.
A gag bit has a sliding mouth piece; when pressure is applied to the reins, the mouth slides up the shank, allowing the horse a little more relief and time to think before the bit fully engages. Any bit with a sliding mouth needs bit guards, to avoid pinching their lips.
One sign that a bit is too much for your horse is head tossing or shaking when rein pressure is applied. That could also be an indication of dental issues, but most likely the horse needs a milder bit.
Edited by Gunner11 2014-07-21 11:09 AM
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Regular
Posts: 50
| Gunner,
Thank you!! That was very useful! Anyone else? | |
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 Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
 
Location: Alberta | This is way off barrel racer stuff, but I find it interesting.....talking about Spade bits...my husband Ranch ropes with his Bridle Horse and I find I've learned a lot from it all....
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wjMn65V_Hek | |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Les Vogt has great YouTube videos on bits,
Mylers have a book on bits
Dave Elliott teaches bit clinics | |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Gunner11 - 2014-07-21 11:07 AM
Here's some basic info to get you started:
Snaffle bits do not have shanks, and are still called snaffle bits regardless of mouthpiece. If the reins are attached to the end of shanks, it is NOT a snaffle bit, it is a leverage bit.
The longer the shanks, the more pressure you are putting on the horse's mouth. Straight shanks are more "severe" than curved or swept-back shanks.
The longer the purchase (the part of the bit between the mouth piece and where it attaches to the headstall), the more poll pressure that is applied when pulling back on the reins.
Typically, the more breaks a mouth piece has, the more comfortable it is (solid/one joint in the middle/three-piece with dogbone/chain, etc). A chain mouth might look severe, but it's actually very comfortable because it conforms to a horse's mouth better than a more solid mouth piece. However, thinner and twisted mouth pieces are more severe than smooth, fatter mouth pieces, regardless of how many breaks it has.
A gag bit has a sliding mouth piece; when pressure is applied to the reins, the mouth slides up the shank, allowing the horse a little more relief and time to think before the bit fully engages. Any bit with a sliding mouth needs bit guards, to avoid pinching their lips.
One sign that a bit is too much for your horse is head tossing or shaking when rein pressure is applied. That could also be an indication of dental issues, but most likely the horse needs a milder bit.
I have to disagree with you regarding the chain bit being a softer mouthpiece.
The more jagged, rough, uneven or sharp edges a mouthpiece has the more harsh the mouth piece is.
Look at it this way if you were to have a smooth piece of metal versus a chain ripped through your hands which one is going to hurt more. Les Vogt talks about this.
A single broken snaffle pinches the tongue when you apply contact, with this piece you are applying pressure to lips tongue, and the bars of the mouth.
A 3 piece snaffle you are applying less pressure to the tongue as you are no longer pinching but have made a box. You are still applying the pressure to lips and bars.
A chain snaffle it is a constant contact of the tongue, a different pressure then the first two, refer back to first example, when a horse opens their mouth they can't get away from this pressure, you are also applying to bars and lips.
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Expert
Posts: 2685
| Input on straight "Mullen" mouths?
Not to steal thread. What are the Connie Combs stabilizer bits good for? Short shank solid mouth with no gag. Some lift. Set back curb. | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| cheryl makofka - 2014-07-22 11:31 PM Gunner11 - 2014-07-21 11:07 AM Here's some basic info to get you started: Snaffle bits do not have shanks, and are still called snaffle bits regardless of mouthpiece. If the reins are attached to the end of shanks, it is NOT a snaffle bit, it is a leverage bit. The longer the shanks, the more pressure you are putting on the horse's mouth. Straight shanks are more "severe" than curved or swept-back shanks. The longer the purchase (the part of the bit between the mouth piece and where it attaches to the headstall), the more poll pressure that is applied when pulling back on the reins. Typically, the more breaks a mouth piece has, the more comfortable it is (solid/one joint in the middle/three-piece with dogbone/chain, etc). A chain mouth might look severe, but it's actually very comfortable because it conforms to a horse's mouth better than a more solid mouth piece. However, thinner and twisted mouth pieces are more severe than smooth, fatter mouth pieces, regardless of how many breaks it has. A gag bit has a sliding mouth piece; when pressure is applied to the reins, the mouth slides up the shank, allowing the horse a little more relief and time to think before the bit fully engages. Any bit with a sliding mouth needs bit guards, to avoid pinching their lips. One sign that a bit is too much for your horse is head tossing or shaking when rein pressure is applied. That could also be an indication of dental issues, but most likely the horse needs a milder bit. I have to disagree with you regarding the chain bit being a softer mouthpiece. The more jagged, rough, uneven or sharp edges a mouthpiece has the more harsh the mouth piece is. Look at it this way if you were to have a smooth piece of metal versus a chain ripped through your hands which one is going to hurt more. Les Vogt talks about this. A single broken snaffle pinches the tongue when you apply contact, with this piece you are applying pressure to lips tongue, and the bars of the mouth. A 3 piece snaffle you are applying less pressure to the tongue as you are no longer pinching but have made a box. You are still applying the pressure to lips and bars. A chain snaffle it is a constant contact of the tongue, a different pressure then the first two, refer back to first example, when a horse opens their mouth they can't get away from this pressure, you are also applying to bars and lips.
I have to disagree with you and agree with gunner! I am talking a flat chain mouthpiece, not the bicycle chain/mule bits. Yes, if you were dragging the mouthpiece through the horse's mouth it would probably be more severe than a solid mouthpiece. However, the flat chain lies flat across the horse's tongue. It's not rolling around in the mouth. They do certainly have to be used correctly as with any bit, but I believe the "nutcracker" effect from a single jointed mouthpiece is more severe. | |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | k.maddocks24 - 2014-07-23 8:20 AM
cheryl makofka - 2014-07-22 11:31 PM Gunner11 - 2014-07-21 11:07 AM Here's some basic info to get you started: Snaffle bits do not have shanks, and are still called snaffle bits regardless of mouthpiece. If the reins are attached to the end of shanks, it is NOT a snaffle bit, it is a leverage bit. The longer the shanks, the more pressure you are putting on the horse's mouth. Straight shanks are more "severe" than curved or swept-back shanks. The longer the purchase (the part of the bit between the mouth piece and where it attaches to the headstall), the more poll pressure that is applied when pulling back on the reins. Typically, the more breaks a mouth piece has, the more comfortable it is (solid/one joint in the middle/three-piece with dogbone/chain, etc). A chain mouth might look severe, but it's actually very comfortable because it conforms to a horse's mouth better than a more solid mouth piece. However, thinner and twisted mouth pieces are more severe than smooth, fatter mouth pieces, regardless of how many breaks it has. A gag bit has a sliding mouth piece; when pressure is applied to the reins, the mouth slides up the shank, allowing the horse a little more relief and time to think before the bit fully engages. Any bit with a sliding mouth needs bit guards, to avoid pinching their lips. One sign that a bit is too much for your horse is head tossing or shaking when rein pressure is applied. That could also be an indication of dental issues, but most likely the horse needs a milder bit. I have to disagree with you regarding the chain bit being a softer mouthpiece. The more jagged, rough, uneven or sharp edges a mouthpiece has the more harsh the mouth piece is. Look at it this way if you were to have a smooth piece of metal versus a chain ripped through your hands which one is going to hurt more. Les Vogt talks about this. A single broken snaffle pinches the tongue when you apply contact, with this piece you are applying pressure to lips tongue, and the bars of the mouth. A 3 piece snaffle you are applying less pressure to the tongue as you are no longer pinching but have made a box. You are still applying the pressure to lips and bars. A chain snaffle it is a constant contact of the tongue, a different pressure then the first two, refer back to first example, when a horse opens their mouth they can't get away from this pressure, you are also applying to bars and lips.
I have to disagree with you and agree with gunner! I am talking a flat chain mouthpiece, not the bicycle chain/mule bits. Yes, if you were dragging the mouthpiece through the horse's mouth it would probably be more severe than a solid mouthpiece. However, the flat chain lies flat across the horse's tongue. It's not rolling around in the mouth. They do certainly have to be used correctly as with any bit, but I believe the "nutcracker" effect from a single jointed mouthpiece is more severe.
It depends on what the horse likes and how you use it. Some horses don't like tongue pressure--lots of tongue pressure with a chain mouth. Also, if you pull straight back with both reins, you are clamping down on their mouth like a vise. Not all horses will tolerate that. There is also less shoulder stability because of the multiple breaks, so it's harder to keep one square if they want to get noodly or step out. I have a horse that likes a chain mouth, but she is super light and is not prone to noodle neck or shoulder dropping.
You need to bit for your hands, the horse's mouth conformation (palate depth, mouth length, tongue thickness), and what kind of feel you like or are trying to accomplish. I have certain bits that fit my hands and help me accomplish the feel I want in my horses, but they won't necessarily get the same results for someone else. The basic mechanism doesn't change, but method of use, fit on horse, and desired result will differ.
Gag bits give a slower reaction time. The longer the gag, the slower the reaction. The mouthpiece going up the cheeks usually facilitates bend, but you sacrifice lift/shoulder stability. This can be enhanced or offset by the type mouthpiece you use. More breaks equals more bend, less lift and stability. Fewer or no breaks increases stability. A port has more tongue relief than a Mullen, although some Mullens have enough curve to offer a good compromise between a port and a straighter bar. I sold my Connie combs stabilizer because it didn't have enough tongue relief IMO. I have an LW and a John Israel Mullen mouth that my horses like better because they have more curve.
Higher ports will hit the roof of the mouth, although the exact height needed to do this varies with palate depth. Single break mouthpieces are notorious for causing issues with shallow palates because they can form a point that stabs the horse in the roof of their mouth. A horse with a deeper palate can be totally comfortable in one.
Common wisdom says fatter mouthpieces are less severe than thinner ones, but again, it depends on the horse. Fatter tongues tend to prefer smaller diameter mouthpieces because they are more comfortable to pack. If you use a smooth one and have light hands, you're not going to hurt a horse with it.
Bitting is like everything else, a never-ending journey of learning. Just when you think you have it figured out, a horse will come along that turns it all upside down and teaches you something new. LOL | |
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Cute Little Imp
Posts: 2747
Location: N Texas | k.maddocks24 - 2014-07-23 8:20 AM
cheryl makofka - 2014-07-22 11:31 PM Gunner11 - 2014-07-21 11:07 AM Here's some basic info to get you started: Snaffle bits do not have shanks, and are still called snaffle bits regardless of mouthpiece. If the reins are attached to the end of shanks, it is NOT a snaffle bit, it is a leverage bit. The longer the shanks, the more pressure you are putting on the horse's mouth. Straight shanks are more "severe" than curved or swept-back shanks. The longer the purchase (the part of the bit between the mouth piece and where it attaches to the headstall), the more poll pressure that is applied when pulling back on the reins. Typically, the more breaks a mouth piece has, the more comfortable it is (solid/one joint in the middle/three-piece with dogbone/chain, etc). A chain mouth might look severe, but it's actually very comfortable because it conforms to a horse's mouth better than a more solid mouth piece. However, thinner and twisted mouth pieces are more severe than smooth, fatter mouth pieces, regardless of how many breaks it has. A gag bit has a sliding mouth piece; when pressure is applied to the reins, the mouth slides up the shank, allowing the horse a little more relief and time to think before the bit fully engages. Any bit with a sliding mouth needs bit guards, to avoid pinching their lips. One sign that a bit is too much for your horse is head tossing or shaking when rein pressure is applied. That could also be an indication of dental issues, but most likely the horse needs a milder bit. I have to disagree with you regarding the chain bit being a softer mouthpiece. The more jagged, rough, uneven or sharp edges a mouthpiece has the more harsh the mouth piece is. Look at it this way if you were to have a smooth piece of metal versus a chain ripped through your hands which one is going to hurt more. Les Vogt talks about this. A single broken snaffle pinches the tongue when you apply contact, with this piece you are applying pressure to lips tongue, and the bars of the mouth. A 3 piece snaffle you are applying less pressure to the tongue as you are no longer pinching but have made a box. You are still applying the pressure to lips and bars. A chain snaffle it is a constant contact of the tongue, a different pressure then the first two, refer back to first example, when a horse opens their mouth they can't get away from this pressure, you are also applying to bars and lips.
I have to disagree with you and agree with gunner! I am talking a flat chain mouthpiece, not the bicycle chain/mule bits. Yes, if you were dragging the mouthpiece through the horse's mouth it would probably be more severe than a solid mouthpiece. However, the flat chain lies flat across the horse's tongue. It's not rolling around in the mouth. They do certainly have to be used correctly as with any bit, but I believe the "nutcracker" effect from a single jointed mouthpiece is more severe.
Thanks! :) This is the kind of chain I am talking about.
 (chain gag.jpg)
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 chain gag.jpg (71KB - 262 downloads)
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| Gunner11 - 2014-07-23 9:29 AM
k.maddocks24 - 2014-07-23 8:20 AM
cheryl makofka - 2014-07-22 11:31 PM Gunner11 - 2014-07-21 11:07 AM Here's some basic info to get you started: Snaffle bits do not have shanks, and are still called snaffle bits regardless of mouthpiece. If the reins are attached to the end of shanks, it is NOT a snaffle bit, it is a leverage bit. The longer the shanks, the more pressure you are putting on the horse's mouth. Straight shanks are more "severe" than curved or swept-back shanks. The longer the purchase (the part of the bit between the mouth piece and where it attaches to the headstall), the more poll pressure that is applied when pulling back on the reins. Typically, the more breaks a mouth piece has, the more comfortable it is (solid/one joint in the middle/three-piece with dogbone/chain, etc). A chain mouth might look severe, but it's actually very comfortable because it conforms to a horse's mouth better than a more solid mouth piece. However, thinner and twisted mouth pieces are more severe than smooth, fatter mouth pieces, regardless of how many breaks it has. A gag bit has a sliding mouth piece; when pressure is applied to the reins, the mouth slides up the shank, allowing the horse a little more relief and time to think before the bit fully engages. Any bit with a sliding mouth needs bit guards, to avoid pinching their lips. One sign that a bit is too much for your horse is head tossing or shaking when rein pressure is applied. That could also be an indication of dental issues, but most likely the horse needs a milder bit. I have to disagree with you regarding the chain bit being a softer mouthpiece. The more jagged, rough, uneven or sharp edges a mouthpiece has the more harsh the mouth piece is. Look at it this way if you were to have a smooth piece of metal versus a chain ripped through your hands which one is going to hurt more. Les Vogt talks about this. A single broken snaffle pinches the tongue when you apply contact, with this piece you are applying pressure to lips tongue, and the bars of the mouth. A 3 piece snaffle you are applying less pressure to the tongue as you are no longer pinching but have made a box. You are still applying the pressure to lips and bars. A chain snaffle it is a constant contact of the tongue, a different pressure then the first two, refer back to first example, when a horse opens their mouth they can't get away from this pressure, you are also applying to bars and lips.
I have to disagree with you and agree with gunner! I am talking a flat chain mouthpiece, not the bicycle chain/mule bits. Yes, if you were dragging the mouthpiece through the horse's mouth it would probably be more severe than a solid mouthpiece. However, the flat chain lies flat across the horse's tongue. It's not rolling around in the mouth. They do certainly have to be used correctly as with any bit, but I believe the "nutcracker" effect from a single jointed mouthpiece is more severe.
Thanks! : ) This is the kind of chain I am talking about.
I love chain mouthpieces. Colts hold them well, my sensitive mouthed horses love them, and that's one that I have in my arsenal of bits! | |
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I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| See if you can find the book, "Bits and Bitting Manual" by William Langdon. It is the best book I have found about explaining bits for the western horse and I have read a lot of books about bits. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 356
| Gunner11 - 2014-07-23 9:29 AM
k.maddocks24 - 2014-07-23 8:20 AM
cheryl makofka - 2014-07-22 11:31 PM Gunner11 - 2014-07-21 11:07 AM Here's some basic info to get you started: Snaffle bits do not have shanks, and are still called snaffle bits regardless of mouthpiece. If the reins are attached to the end of shanks, it is NOT a snaffle bit, it is a leverage bit. The longer the shanks, the more pressure you are putting on the horse's mouth. Straight shanks are more "severe" than curved or swept-back shanks. The longer the purchase (the part of the bit between the mouth piece and where it attaches to the headstall), the more poll pressure that is applied when pulling back on the reins. Typically, the more breaks a mouth piece has, the more comfortable it is (solid/one joint in the middle/three-piece with dogbone/chain, etc). A chain mouth might look severe, but it's actually very comfortable because it conforms to a horse's mouth better than a more solid mouth piece. However, thinner and twisted mouth pieces are more severe than smooth, fatter mouth pieces, regardless of how many breaks it has. A gag bit has a sliding mouth piece; when pressure is applied to the reins, the mouth slides up the shank, allowing the horse a little more relief and time to think before the bit fully engages. Any bit with a sliding mouth needs bit guards, to avoid pinching their lips. One sign that a bit is too much for your horse is head tossing or shaking when rein pressure is applied. That could also be an indication of dental issues, but most likely the horse needs a milder bit. I have to disagree with you regarding the chain bit being a softer mouthpiece. The more jagged, rough, uneven or sharp edges a mouthpiece has the more harsh the mouth piece is. Look at it this way if you were to have a smooth piece of metal versus a chain ripped through your hands which one is going to hurt more. Les Vogt talks about this. A single broken snaffle pinches the tongue when you apply contact, with this piece you are applying pressure to lips tongue, and the bars of the mouth. A 3 piece snaffle you are applying less pressure to the tongue as you are no longer pinching but have made a box. You are still applying the pressure to lips and bars. A chain snaffle it is a constant contact of the tongue, a different pressure then the first two, refer back to first example, when a horse opens their mouth they can't get away from this pressure, you are also applying to bars and lips.
I have to disagree with you and agree with gunner! I am talking a flat chain mouthpiece, not the bicycle chain/mule bits. Yes, if you were dragging the mouthpiece through the horse's mouth it would probably be more severe than a solid mouthpiece. However, the flat chain lies flat across the horse's tongue. It's not rolling around in the mouth. They do certainly have to be used correctly as with any bit, but I believe the "nutcracker" effect from a single jointed mouthpiece is more severe.
Thanks! : ) This is the kind of chain I am talking about.
Gunner that is exactly what I use on my boy, and he LOVES it! | |
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 Vodka for Lunch
Location: Lala Land | Dena has a video about bits she uses and why, also Carol Goosetree has a youtube video. | |
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Regular
Posts: 50
| Thanks everyone! I've got lots of literature to read up on...and some videos to watch!
Thanks again! | |
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 Member
Posts: 24
| The video from Caldwell explaining bits is extremely informational and helpful! Thanks to their video, I found a bit that works perfectly on my 4 year old who was extremely difficult. It's a little lengthy, but it covers everything from snaffles to combination bits. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m_0AvYqQic&feature=youtu.be | |
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Member
Posts: 13
| Thank you so much for sharing. Education and development is needed in all spheres of human life, and when I entered the university, I realized how valued intelligence, good manners, and so on. I am currently writing a study that concerns artificial intelligence and am asking for help from the company https://assignmentbro.com/plagiarism-checker, which checks my texts for plagiarism. I want my texts to be as high quality as possible. I am learning this and I think it is right.
Edited by Josiah Rogers 2021-04-22 12:27 AM
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 Warrior Mom
Posts: 4400
| FlyingJT - 2014-07-23 9:34 AM Gunner11 - 2014-07-23 9:29 AM k.maddocks24 - 2014-07-23 8:20 AM cheryl makofka - 2014-07-22 11:31 PM Gunner11 - 2014-07-21 11:07 AM Here's some basic info to get you started: Snaffle bits do not have shanks, and are still called snaffle bits regardless of mouthpiece. If the reins are attached to the end of shanks, it is NOT a snaffle bit, it is a leverage bit. The longer the shanks, the more pressure you are putting on the horse's mouth. Straight shanks are more "severe" than curved or swept-back shanks. The longer the purchase (the part of the bit between the mouth piece and where it attaches to the headstall), the more poll pressure that is applied when pulling back on the reins. Typically, the more breaks a mouth piece has, the more comfortable it is (solid/one joint in the middle/three-piece with dogbone/chain, etc). A chain mouth might look severe, but it's actually very comfortable because it conforms to a horse's mouth better than a more solid mouth piece. However, thinner and twisted mouth pieces are more severe than smooth, fatter mouth pieces, regardless of how many breaks it has. A gag bit has a sliding mouth piece; when pressure is applied to the reins, the mouth slides up the shank, allowing the horse a little more relief and time to think before the bit fully engages. Any bit with a sliding mouth needs bit guards, to avoid pinching their lips. One sign that a bit is too much for your horse is head tossing or shaking when rein pressure is applied. That could also be an indication of dental issues, but most likely the horse needs a milder bit. I have to disagree with you regarding the chain bit being a softer mouthpiece. The more jagged, rough, uneven or sharp edges a mouthpiece has the more harsh the mouth piece is. Look at it this way if you were to have a smooth piece of metal versus a chain ripped through your hands which one is going to hurt more. Les Vogt talks about this. A single broken snaffle pinches the tongue when you apply contact, with this piece you are applying pressure to lips tongue, and the bars of the mouth. A 3 piece snaffle you are applying less pressure to the tongue as you are no longer pinching but have made a box. You are still applying the pressure to lips and bars. A chain snaffle it is a constant contact of the tongue, a different pressure then the first two, refer back to first example, when a horse opens their mouth they can't get away from this pressure, you are also applying to bars and lips. I have to disagree with you and agree with gunner! I am talking a flat chain mouthpiece, not the bicycle chain/mule bits. Yes, if you were dragging the mouthpiece through the horse's mouth it would probably be more severe than a solid mouthpiece. However, the flat chain lies flat across the horse's tongue. It's not rolling around in the mouth. They do certainly have to be used correctly as with any bit, but I believe the "nutcracker" effect from a single jointed mouthpiece is more severe. Thanks! : ) This is the kind of chain I am talking about. I love chain mouthpieces. Colts hold them well, my sensitive mouthed horses love them, and that's one that I have in my arsenal of bits!
My horse absolutely loves a chain bit over anything else, he works best in that. The one I have him now is a chain but has a small flexible port.. don't know what it's called or even remember where I got it from but I'm not one to spend a bunch of $$ on bits, so I'm sure I bought it used and cheap! If I find one that works I just stick to it.. he's super soft in it and has plenty of lift and bend in it. | |
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  Independent Cuss
Posts: 3977
Location: Dearing, GA | https://barrelhorsenews.com/equipment-use/training-secrets-to-a-soft-mouth/?fbclid=IwAR1KCUZL9vFSXOLZGL_hOQj3qyOd_etvTaQG1eShTqrFNt70yaCn3otaZ0w Love this article for soft mouths. | |
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 Member
Posts: 39
Location: Vinita, Okla. | I think anybit can be as harsh or "BAD" as the hands using it!!! Celie Ray rode almost everything she ran a " MULE " bit!!! And look at what she did on this industry!!!! "I Got Bugs" and I believe "Smakabug" were both ran and won in the old-time "MULE" Bit’s! I doubt in those years they were the aluminum or copper mouthpieces they are today either! Of course, she was a tiny lil dynamo of a rider and trainer--she's a legend to me--and one of the savviest horsewomen our sport has ever known, so I'm sure that had a heck of a lot to do with it. But what she did and the equipment she used to get there should not be misunderstood. I think as riders and horse people we all can and should be working on our horsemanship and being as light handed and "good" with our hands as possible. It's still something I'm not afraid to say I've to stay on top of! And I agree w GUNNER---a chain ( regular chain ) mouthpiece is one that conforms to a horses mouth very well and therefore people can have a lot of success with because most horses seem to like them to some degree! | |
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