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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
  
| Does anyone have a suggestion for the best first bit to put in a young ones mouth? Just trying to figure out what might be less likely to cause lots of chewing. I've got chains, dogbones, snaffles (twisted and smooth, and copper), and mullens. My thought is maybe the chain or the dogbone.
I know there will be some chewing/mouthing of the foreign object, just want it to be a good experience. Also not sure if the bit should be the one I plan on starting the filly in or if it can be different to just get her used to something in her mouth. |
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Veteran
Posts: 227
Location: Heart of Texas | I'm not sure if the chewing is avoidable but I always just start with a simple o ring or egg butt snaffle. I am curious what others use though. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 710
| I like starting in a rope halter and graduating to a loose ring snaffle. Then go into a Myler level 1 snaffle, young horses really like the roller I think it's relaxing, but yes there will be chewing. I also like riding in a D-Ring. When/if they start getting strong, I got to a twisted wire snaffle for 2 weeks, then go back to one of the snaffles. Kind of just play around and not overbit them to early.
Edited by KPwuvsOliver 2017-03-13 3:07 PM
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 Straight Shooter
Posts: 5725
Location: SW North Dakota | I have an offset D that I really like - sweetiron mouth with a little inlaid copper. I'll have them pack the bit with no reins while they're tied and saddled for a long time before I ride them in it. Although the bit is in their mouth, I ride them the first week in a halter. They don't know what it means, so there is no point in pulling on the bit for a response you won't get if they panic. Lots of little take and release pressure on the ground, get them to follow their nose around, then ride with double reins (halter rope as an emergency break) for a few days... Seems to be the easiest transition I've found. |
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 Not Afraid to Work
Posts: 4717
| I also use an offset D ring with the copper inlay. I also tack them up and let them sit with it in their mouths, lunge them with it in their mouth and then graduate to longlining. So I do my first rides with a bit but they also have a better concept of what it means. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
Location: Deep South | Great article by Quarter Horse News and Dennis Moreland
https://www.facebook.com/QuarterHorseNews/photos/a.218987720598.2930... |
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Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Thank you! I plan on using the halter, graduating to a sidepull and then bit. I like the idea of them carrying it at first yet riding with sidepull/halter.
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