|
|
 Blond Bombshell..
Posts: 6628
    
Location: Hill Country of TEXAS!! | Let's discuss drill bits and competition bits!! What bit do you use for working at home and to run in and why? What stage is each horse?
Do you have a certain bit you work every horse in and a different run bit?
This should be interetesting to see what everyone does and why.
I use a rope draw elliott and square mouth oring for both. I havent run in awhile and my competition horses are all young so im sure my competition bits may change haha |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 974
Location: USA | I usually train in something that keeps my horses responsive and soft. I had one horse where all I rode him in was the ported petska, it was the only thing that kept him soft and responsive. He was dull in everything else. I also ran him in it. I like the new ported Paul Humphrey bit, it keeps mine light and responsive. I work mine in that and I run one in a medium shank dog bone lifter. I think each bit depends on your hands also, whether you're heavier handed or not. I usually ride daily in something that will keep them really responsive and run in something that is considered a lighter bit. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 47
| I start my young ones in a simple snaffle/rope halter and quickly move them up to a 3 piece snaffle. 99% of my bits have a 3 piece mouth... I keep them in that until I have a reason to do otherwise. Other than that I love my jr cowhorse bits and that is my next go to. Generally I ride/train in the 3 pc snaffle and run them in a jr cow, but my one gelding I use an Ed Wright 3 pc w/twisted sides that I love. For him thats when he knows we're not just playing in the sandbox anymore. It's not unusual for me to hook an extra bridle or two on the fence, work some drills, then throw on their competition bit and make a "real" run to see where we're at |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1611
| Love Love Kathy James bits!! They just fit my hands in a run. I usually just pic a different mouth piece for the horse.
I like to tune in a loomis for just keeping one legged up UNLESS they are very bendy then I tune in like a long shanked danielle campbell lifter bit and thats only on the pattern otherwise they too get a loomis for pasture riding.
I'd love to have a troy bit or an elliot bit verison of these but i just can't bring myself to pay the price. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 3815
Location: The best kept secret in TX | Tundra - 2017-02-05 8:19 PM I start my young ones in a simple snaffle/rope halter and quickly move them up to a 3 piece snaffle. 99% of my bits have a 3 piece mouth... I keep them in that until I have a reason to do otherwise. Other than that I love my jr cowhorse bits and that is my next go to. Generally I ride/train in the 3 pc snaffle and run them in a jr cow, but my one gelding I use an Ed Wright 3 pc w/twisted sides that I love. For him thats when he knows we're not just playing in the sandbox anymore. It's not unusual for me to hook an extra bridle or two on the fence, work some drills, then throw on their competition bit and make a "real" run to see where we're at
Can you explain why you prefer the three piece snaffle?  |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 47
| IRunOnFaith - 2017-02-06 9:00 AM
Tundra - 2017-02-05 8:19 PM I start my young ones in a simple snaffle/rope halter and quickly move them up to a 3 piece snaffle. 99% of my bits have a 3 piece mouth... I keep them in that until I have a reason to do otherwise. Other than that I love my jr cowhorse bits and that is my next go to. Generally I ride/train in the 3 pc snaffle and run them in a jr cow, but my one gelding I use an Ed Wright 3 pc w/twisted sides that I love. For him thats when he knows we're not just playing in the sandbox anymore. It's not unusual for me to hook an extra bridle or two on the fence, work some drills, then throw on their competition bit and make a "real" run to see where we're at
Can you explain why you prefer the three piece snaffle? Â
Long story short: they work better in them! lol I find I can get a lot softer horse with the same/less amount of pressure using a 3 pc instead of a simple snaffle. I like the fact that the center piece prevents the outside pieces from "talking" to each other if that makes sense. If you take a simple snaffle in your hand and pull the left rein, the right side of the snaffle will move as well to some extent.. Whereas a 3 pc there is the center piece to "absorb" that interference if that makes sense? I just think 3 pieces give a clearer signal to the horse. I find it easier to get them moving up and forward onto the bit using this. I also always seem to get a lot of slobber when using 3 pieces as opposed to a simple snaffle.. slobbery bits make me happy :) This is just the type of bit that seems to work with my riding style and Im sure everyone has their own preference. Im not a bit maker nor a professional trainer so maybe my reasoning is off base, but it works for my guys..
Additionally, Ive tried chain mouthpieces and dont care for them. Maybe my horse isn't sensitive enough but he wasnt as responsive to a chain mouth as I know he is in his normal 3 pc Dee. Sold that bit the next day  |
|
| |
|
 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| Tundra - 2017-02-06 6:28 PM
IRunOnFaith - 2017-02-06 9:00 AM
Tundra - 2017-02-05 8:19 PM I start my young ones in a simple snaffle/rope halter and quickly move them up to a 3 piece snaffle. 99% of my bits have a 3 piece mouth... I keep them in that until I have a reason to do otherwise. Other than that I love my jr cowhorse bits and that is my next go to. Generally I ride/train in the 3 pc snaffle and run them in a jr cow, but my one gelding I use an Ed Wright 3 pc w/twisted sides that I love. For him thats when he knows we're not just playing in the sandbox anymore. It's not unusual for me to hook an extra bridle or two on the fence, work some drills, then throw on their competition bit and make a "real" run to see where we're at
Can you explain why you prefer the three piece snaffle? Â
Long story short: they work better in them! lol I find I can get a lot softer horse with the same/less amount of pressure using a 3 pc instead of a simple snaffle. I like the fact that the center piece prevents the outside pieces from "talking" to each other if that makes sense. If you take a simple snaffle in your hand and pull the left rein, the right side of the snaffle will move as well to some extent.. Whereas a 3 pc there is the center piece to "absorb" that interference if that makes sense? I just think 3 pieces give a clearer signal to the horse. I find it easier to get them moving up and forward onto the bit using this. I also always seem to get a lot of slobber when using 3 pieces as opposed to a simple snaffle.. slobbery bits make me happy : ) This is just the type of bit that seems to work with my riding style and Im sure everyone has their own preference. Im not a bit maker nor a professional trainer so maybe my reasoning is off base, but it works for my guys..
Additionally, Ive tried chain mouthpieces and dont care for them. Maybe my horse isn't sensitive enough but he wasnt as responsive to a chain mouth as I know he is in his normal 3 pc Dee. Sold that bit the next day
A three piece bit puts some pressure on the tongue and some pressure on the the bars of the mouth. I might mention that a two piece bit does not work like a nut cracker. hold your bridle up and look how the bit hangs. That is how it sits in the horse's mouth. A two piece snaffle works on the corners of the mouth. A chain mouth bit puts almost all the pressure on the tongue.
NOTE: There are two kinds of bits. A snaffle bit such as the O-ring or D-ring AND the curb bit whcih has a shank and may or may not have a curb strap. Curb bits often have broken mouthpieces which many people call a snaffle. It is NOT a snaffle.
That being said, my horses are broke with snaffle and I work them up to the bit I will be competing in ASAP. I usually run in a JR cowhorse with varying mouthpieces. I trail ride and everything with the same bit.
|
|
| |
|
I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| Tundra - 2017-02-06 6:28 PM
IRunOnFaith - 2017-02-06 9:00 AM
Tundra - 2017-02-05 8:19 PM I start my young ones in a simple snaffle/rope halter and quickly move them up to a 3 piece snaffle. 99% of my bits have a 3 piece mouth... I keep them in that until I have a reason to do otherwise. Other than that I love my jr cowhorse bits and that is my next go to. Generally I ride/train in the 3 pc snaffle and run them in a jr cow, but my one gelding I use an Ed Wright 3 pc w/twisted sides that I love. For him thats when he knows we're not just playing in the sandbox anymore. It's not unusual for me to hook an extra bridle or two on the fence, work some drills, then throw on their competition bit and make a "real" run to see where we're at
Can you explain why you prefer the three piece snaffle? Â
Long story short: they work better in them! lol I find I can get a lot softer horse with the same/less amount of pressure using a 3 pc instead of a simple snaffle. I like the fact that the center piece prevents the outside pieces from "talking" to each other if that makes sense. If you take a simple snaffle in your hand and pull the left rein, the right side of the snaffle will move as well to some extent.. Whereas a 3 pc there is the center piece to "absorb" that interference if that makes sense? I just think 3 pieces give a clearer signal to the horse. I find it easier to get them moving up and forward onto the bit using this. I also always seem to get a lot of slobber when using 3 pieces as opposed to a simple snaffle.. slobbery bits make me happy : ) This is just the type of bit that seems to work with my riding style and Im sure everyone has their own preference. Im not a bit maker nor a professional trainer so maybe my reasoning is off base, but it works for my guys..
Additionally, Ive tried chain mouthpieces and dont care for them. Maybe my horse isn't sensitive enough but he wasnt as responsive to a chain mouth as I know he is in his normal 3 pc Dee. Sold that bit the next day
My horse prefers the 3 piece - he won't open his mouth easily if I have used a regular 2 piece snaffle the ride before. I believe that the 3 piece works on more than one spot in the horse's mouth and may give pre-signals lessening his anxiety to not be wrong. He doesn't like being wrong and while I don't think he is particularly light mouthed, he has lightened up considerably since I have switched to the 3 piece. I do believe it is an individual choice based on the horse's preference and the rider's hands. |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 378
Location: Saskatchewan | I try to keep things as simple as possible:
Drills in a three-piece loose ring snaffle and a running martengale as needed. (I sometimes use a german martengale, depending on how fit and full of herself my horse is)
And my current horse is soft enough that a smooth dogbone cowhorse bit is plenty for running.
I often just ride everything in a snaffle for training, I think that the cues are simple and easy for a horse to understand, and it's a 1:1 ratio, so however hard you're pulling is exactly what is being exerted on the horses mouth. |
|
| |
|
 Veteran
Posts: 158
| I am wondering if most people pick a harsher bit for competition and lighter bit for drills or the opposite...? |
|
| |
|
I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| gunner07 - 2017-02-07 11:49 AM
I am wondering if most people pick a harsher bit for competition and lighter bit for drills or the opposite...?
Molly Powell addresses this in one of her videos but I can't remember exactly what she said. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2128
| gunner07 - 2017-02-07 11:49 AM I am wondering if most people pick a harsher bit for competition and lighter bit for drills or the opposite...?
I def use something hevier for working during the week, and something lighter during runs. |
|
| |
|
 The Worst Seller Ever
Posts: 4138
Location: Oklahoma | On my finished horses I use a Goosetree Simplicty or a snaffle to ride during the week and tune if I need to. I run in a Short Shank Cervi & a bit that I got from a garage sale (resembles a Jr Cowhorse but the shanks have a curve).
On my colt I ride and run in a draw bit. I like the way he feels in the draw bit, and I thing the simplicity will scare him right now. When we do cattle work he ride in a perfect bit. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1611
| gunner07 - 2017-02-07 12:49 PM
I am wondering if most people pick a harsher bit for competition and lighter bit for drills or the opposite...?
It depends on the horse. Most people want to work on lightness at home using a very light bit and then use a harsher one for competitions.
But if your horse is very light and broke you may want to use a harsher bit when tuning to give you direct response with very little effort and then a light bit in a run since they are very light and you were probably using a tuning bit to work on something specific example one that is very bendy one may use a long shacked lifter in practice but maybe they run great in a light chain mouth kathy james in a run.
|
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1286
Location: Mississippi | scwebster - 2017-02-07 12:13 PM gunner07 - 2017-02-07 11:49 AM I am wondering if most people pick a harsher bit for competition and lighter bit for drills or the opposite...? I def use something hevier for working during the week, and something lighter during runs.
I was just thinking about this when practicing today. I have been using a Merrill gag on my 5 year old gelding because he was getting strong in the Sweet 6 that I previously used. Turns out he needed a tooth pulled and has really improved since then. Now we are getting hung up on the backside of the second and I think it is because I am pulling on his face and the Merrill is too much. So today I switched back the the Sweet 6 and he had an awesome run. However, I didn't like the way he slow worked in the 6 but love the way he slow works in the gag.
I was thinking I must be crazy because you usually hear about people doing slow work in a light bit and something stronger for a competition but I am getting better results with the opposite. I am a bit new to bits and trying to understand what does what...
|
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 974
Location: USA | scwebster - 2017-02-07 12:13 PM gunner07 - 2017-02-07 11:49 AM I am wondering if most people pick a harsher bit for competition and lighter bit for drills or the opposite...? I def use something hevier for working during the week, and something lighter during runs.
Same here. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 672
| turtleaut - 2017-02-07 5:00 PM
scwebster - 2017-02-07 12:13 PM gunner07 - 2017-02-07 11:49 AM I am wondering if most people pick a harsher bit for competition and lighter bit for drills or the opposite...? I def use something hevier for working during the week, and something lighter during runs. Â
I was thinking I must be crazy because you usually hear about people doing slow work in a light bit and something stronger for a competition but I am getting better results with the opposite. I am a bit new to bits and trying to understand what does what...Â
It totally depends on the horse. I have one I tune in the pretzel and run in a lifesaver lifter with a lot of gag. Anything more and a bump will cause a complete stop in a run. Another horse I tune in a tender touch and run in a ported correction or pretzel. You really just have to listen to the horse and what they need. |
|
| |
|
I just read the headlines
Posts: 4483
| turtleaut - 2017-02-07 5:00 PM
scwebster - 2017-02-07 12:13 PM gunner07 - 2017-02-07 11:49 AM I am wondering if most people pick a harsher bit for competition and lighter bit for drills or the opposite...? I def use something hevier for working during the week, and something lighter during runs. Â
I was thinking I must be crazy because you usually hear about people doing slow work in a light bit and something stronger for a competition but I am getting better results with the opposite. I am a bit new to bits and trying to understand what does what...Â
My hands aren't as good when we make runs, I tend to want to pull so I run in a lighter but. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 795
Location: GODS country | On my futurity filly I will ride/tune/train in a smooth mouth loomis gag (sometime a square mouth if I feel she needs "extra") with or without martingales and run her in a L&W O ring with a stop in it and a twisted wire 3 piece mouth. She is very light and doesn't need a lot. She is very responsive and if I put anything heavier on her (even a goostree delight) she just doesn't work the same.
I find that the loomis really keeps one soft and supple.
On my open horse I ride/tune him in a twisted wire O ring. I run him in a Martha Josey million dollar bit. He is super chill to just ride around, but at a race he can be a handful! The million dollar bit has just enough bite with the nose piece and the shanks are just enough to really help keep him listening and lifted.
Both of these horses are push style and really focus on me and my body...so I don't need a lot of bit.
Edited by ecranch 2017-02-08 7:52 AM
|
|
| |
Folks on-line