tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post1032839824059269064..comments2024-03-26T17:31:58.290-07:00Comments on 'Fraidy Cat Eventing: experimenting: bit editionemmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-7720440897224169692017-04-06T09:22:04.556-07:002017-04-06T09:22:04.556-07:00The new horse I'm leasing is a puller. I'm...The new horse I'm leasing is a puller. I'm experimenting with other bits but shes trained and I have to suck it up and tell her how it is instead of a quick fix bit (not that it is that in your case, hes still learning!) What actually gets Evita to unlock is bending and circles. Lots of give and release. But yeah, I always have moments where my arms feel like they are being pulled out of my sockets. Micaylahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09799043647759779897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-88054458402526516072017-04-04T10:47:49.664-07:002017-04-04T10:47:49.664-07:00Soo bits are something I am absolutely fascinated ...Soo bits are something I am absolutely fascinated by. I think it's great that there are SO MANY options out there. I do think some of the crazier contraptions really aren't necessary until you get to more upper level type stuff with bigger jumps/harder questions, but I still think that it is well worth experimenting to find a bitting setup that the horse feels comfortable and "safe" in so to speak. <br /><br />For example, I've done a lot of experimenting with Val, and finally settled (for now) on a hard straight rubber loose ring. I've learned that he really doesn't like egg buts, he prefers a mouth piece that isn't heavy, and sweet copper and its variations don't do anything. And that required going through countless combinations of different things to find out what really worked.<br /><br />For guys like Val that have a tiny mouth and are really fussy and tend to want to have their head up all the time anyway, an elevator was only so successful. But for a heavier horse, finding the right elevator can be really helpful. It looks like you don't have the rein attached to the elevator loop thing on the bottom of the bit, and I'd maybe play with a smaller/simpler mouth piece (if he has a low palate the port can actually be really uncomfortable) while playing with elevation like some other people have suggested. Possibly a three ring just on the first and second ring, but I've also seen lots of success with some of the hackabit combinations. Probably more than Charlie needs in the long run, but I've had them be life changing for some of the heavier guys. <br /><br />I know a lot of people are on the side of putting a snaffle on everything, but being a small person who will never win a fight if it comes down to it, I am more on the side of avoiding the conflict altogether. If you find the right combo that the horse respects but doesn't fear, it opens a whole new world of options.<br /><br />One other thing I'll mention is that for a new bit I'm concerned the horse may not immediately understand, I sometimes find it helpful to put the horse on the longe line for 5-10 minutes just to chew on it and get a feel without the added factor of communication from my hands.<br /><br />Best of luck though! I am a firm believer that there is a perfect bitting combo out there for every horse!Heather - The Graduated Equestrianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07681676187300620940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-63233581488450739532017-04-03T15:01:01.265-07:002017-04-03T15:01:01.265-07:00Oooo now I'm really really curious about how t...Oooo now I'm really really curious about how this one goes because Mae is super heavy on my hand (my forearms are sore after every single ride). We've kept her in a very simple eggbutt snaffle and really don't want to throw anything heavier at her - she may just learn to pick her own head up, especially after she develops the neck muscle to do so. We played around with a lot of bits with Ryon. He has such a short neck and so much power behind it. I always did it at the advice of a trainer and never without. I wouldn't know the first thing to do and the last thing I want is a hard mouthed horseroothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09670446457829193892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-76378481919615260412017-04-01T13:41:02.947-07:002017-04-01T13:41:02.947-07:00I am a BIG bit experimenter. After 27 years in the...I am a BIG bit experimenter. After 27 years in the saddle, 20 of those spent training and working other people's and trainer's horses and having owned 8 horses of my own, I can confirm that some horses have very distinct bit preferences.<br /> <br />My favorite Appendix jumper loved his Waterford loose ring snaffle: he did gorgeous flatwork and it was the only thing that could get him to listen to you when he decided to lock onto a fence. His alternate bit was a double-jointed 3-ring (Pessoa) Happy Mouth bit. My own OTTB mare preferred a single-jointed full cheek snaffle. My QH ONLY wanted his D-ring Dr. Bristol snaffle (no French link; Dr. Bristol. He liked that larger, flat link). He would turn into "U" if you rode him in any other bit. <br /><br />Lily hates snaffles (she will invert like a giraffe or lean heavily on the bit, and sometimes she'll put her tongue over snaffles); she prefers ported bits (tongue relief) with tiny or no shanks and a fixed mouthpiece (no sliding. Loose rings are the worst for her). She currently happily goes in a low port kimberwick; it's been her bit for the last 3 years. She will reach for the contact when you want her to stretchy trot, but she goes around in wonderful self-carriage when you ask her to work properly in the arena. Her dressage competition bit was a Myler Comfort snaffle because tongue relief. Her alternate favorite thing is a cheapo English hackamore. She loves that thing. I played around with a Myler combo bit for a while because it was the best of both worlds (port, shanks and nose pressure) but she was the same as she was in the kimberwick. The Myler combo bit Liz Stout uses on Griffin used to be Lily's: they got it from us. <br /><br />Gracie likes short-shanked low port bits with thick mouthpieces. Her favorite is her minimal-port fat Weymouth. We experimented with a variety of hackamores with her because she will not drink on trail if she has a bit in her mouth and settled with the flower hackamore for her, because it has no shanks that might touch surfaces before her nose does. <br /><br />I literally have what I call a "Bag o' Bits" and it contains one of almost every bit every horse I've ever ridden has liked. It makes for easy experimentation. If I don't have the bit I want to play with, I look for it on eBay, FB English Tack Trader or FB Endurance Tack & Horse Swap. Nicole Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09817619834026667737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-39583017073584249842017-04-01T05:22:56.767-07:002017-04-01T05:22:56.767-07:00The change trigger by a bit is so remarkable! Q we...The change trigger by a bit is so remarkable! Q went through many and does okay with most, but is ultimately happiest in her hack. Stan has forever gone in a uxeter kimberwicke and despite multiple tries to put him in something more mild, we're kind of stuck there because when he gets excited and wants to GO he really won't listen to anything else. And Grif has been through the most, but we've settled with a French link snaffle for flatwork and the Myler combo for jumping. He is definitely more responsive to the Myler combo now since we've executed more work in the snaffle, but we still have to keep it as the regular jumping bit because without it he can and will charge off in exuberant happiness after certain fences & the snaffle just doesn't do much to encourage him otherwise! Haha.Liz Stouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267806576736655184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-35271555744438844822017-03-31T20:22:40.225-07:002017-03-31T20:22:40.225-07:00My favorite thing about bits is that there are a l...My favorite thing about bits is that there are a lot of pieces to work with. The shape of the cheek, whether or not it has leverage, the amount of leverage, the mouth piece, the joint, etc. Frankly, I think the Myler has a lot happening on it, but if you saw some positive elements in how Charlie went in it, maybe change one part or another and see what happens. Granted, Myler bits cost a pretty penny, and buying a ton for the sake of experimentation is a worse financial decision than horses themselves. If you can borrow a couple different types, you might find something that Charlie really likes.T. A. Eyo ¥https://www.blogger.com/profile/13753582203234478366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-73482861877375549792017-03-31T15:38:14.667-07:002017-03-31T15:38:14.667-07:00Hah! Horses. My 3 all go in different bits. Except...Hah! Horses. My 3 all go in different bits. Except when they don't. For example, my 24 yr old AQHA likes his double jointed Tom Thumb. Except when he wants his hackamore. My Morgan is the most reliable. I ride him in a Pelham, mostly. But switch him to a double jointed loose ring snaffle for dressage, which is ok but he tends to lean on it heavily. My POA is currently in an elevator bit, but I have also ridden her in a straight mouth Pelham. So yeah. It's all individual to them lol. I know you will eventually stumble upon what works best for Charlie! :)The Hunt Diarieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01391019819315805145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-32416231420222498642017-03-31T14:49:31.388-07:002017-03-31T14:49:31.388-07:00Leo was previously ridden in a mildly terrifying-l...Leo was previously ridden in a mildly terrifying-looking contraption that involved a "sweet six" with an extremely high ported mouthpiece. I have no idea what it's called, and I've only ever found one picture that remotely resembles it. I strongly believe that this is a major contributing factor to his extreme aversion to having his mouth touched. <br />When I brought him home, we experimented for a long time. Like, months. He hated most things and tolerated several. He doesn't do anything with a single joint, will tolerate an oval link, and seems to go best in thinner Mullen mouths. <br />I currently ride him in a loose ring Nathe, and it's the best bit that I've found for him so far. I'm sure that there may be better options out there, but thus far I haven't found anything. Trainer has a shit ton of bits that I can play with, though - I honestly really like experimenting - because he is so particular he definitely lets me know what his preferences are, and it's helped me find the best options.kaityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01389820971120741273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-71902425009927291232017-03-31T14:23:54.421-07:002017-03-31T14:23:54.421-07:00Pig the ONLY snaffle Pig goes in a thin double joi...Pig the ONLY snaffle Pig goes in a thin double jointed snaffle. He has always gone well in a mullen mouthed Pelham, though. It took him FOREVER to get used to the double and understand the different mechanisms of the bits. All of that makes total sense to me. His mouth is small, and his lips are shallow. He doesn't have a lot of room to work with, and his very sensitive about how he's communicated with. In other words, he's a totally different character from Charlie! <br /><br />With horses that are leaners or pullers, I've typically had really good luck with training them to eventually hold themselves up. Keeping riding really short, and keeping them sitting off my hands. But, Charlie is probably not terribly ready for that yet. With other horses I've gone to a pelham with two reins to give them a bit of the idea that my hands aren't the place for their whole body to rest. A few rides in that always seem to do the trick, and teach them to sit back on their ass when I ask, rather than dig in harder into my hands. Austenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13004088333430762406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-20367091449691720392017-03-31T14:13:52.684-07:002017-03-31T14:13:52.684-07:00Pig is kinda like that, too. Unsurprising as he an...Pig is kinda like that, too. Unsurprising as he and Bobby are apparently sensitive soul sisters. HA!Austenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13004088333430762406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-75279294663872375232017-03-31T13:15:33.837-07:002017-03-31T13:15:33.837-07:00i guess it likely varies among disciplines, but in...i guess it likely varies among disciplines, but in regular dressage you don't start seeing leverage until horses are going in the double at 3rd / 4th. so there's kind of this expectation that you ought to be able to get the job done in a snaffle. it's definitely a little different in the jumping disciplines, but you still see some of that same mindset (tho, like i said, i tend to be bit more pragmatic about things and would rather have the right tools to do the job safely and successfully than be ideologically rigid and end up getting in a nasty situation at a cross country fence....)emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-14641151214363290452017-03-31T13:13:20.155-07:002017-03-31T13:13:20.155-07:00ugh yea the tongue thing is so tricky, i've ne...ugh yea the tongue thing is so tricky, i've never had to deal with that issue but can imagine the frustration! emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-28729223865622042152017-03-31T11:13:44.136-07:002017-03-31T11:13:44.136-07:00I have tried so many different bits with Nilla try...I have tried so many different bits with Nilla trying to get her to keep her tongue in her mouth. While I haven't found a magic solution, there are definitely better and worse bits for that. And the reactions can be very dramatic. I'm very open to changing things up, but if something is working, I tend to stick with it. We tried a bunch of bits on Eugene in the beginning and he has gone in the same happy mouth for most of the year. Once we found one that worked, we were done.Olivia @ DIY Horse Ownershiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16138490796669110523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-82558655940858007482017-03-31T10:38:50.857-07:002017-03-31T10:38:50.857-07:00Absolutely! I rode Ben in a S curb for a really lo...Absolutely! I rode Ben in a S curb for a really long time because it gave me extremely effective brakes (which I needed at the time).<br />Also, I must hang around too many people who are sporting tom thumbs and spade bits. I didn't realized 'every horse should be able to go in a snaffle' was so popular. :)SpanishWalkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10003578056572686242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-18557667138083200662017-03-31T09:04:40.067-07:002017-03-31T09:04:40.067-07:00yup i had that problem with isabel where a bit cou...yup i had that problem with isabel where a bit could back her off, and that's DEFINITELY not what i want! charlie mostly needs to do two things simultaneously: 1) get stronger so that he can carry himself in this new and unfamiliar way; and 2) understand what the fresh fuck i'm actually asking of him haha. a bit alone won't do either of those things, but maybe it can help as he develops?emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-51687053728606425492017-03-31T09:03:20.577-07:002017-03-31T09:03:20.577-07:00oooh i'll definitely be interested in reading ...oooh i'll definitely be interested in reading your post when you publish! and agreed that training and competing are very different. even the way i ride between each tends to be a little different (like not pushing charlie so forward during our show test, vs making him HUSTLE in schooling lol). it's such an interesting subject, bitting. so much there to learn!emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-15131791161652676662017-03-31T09:01:47.441-07:002017-03-31T09:01:47.441-07:00lol so THAT'S why my arms feel 2inches longer ...lol so THAT'S why my arms feel 2inches longer after a ride ;) haha.... emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-58003169151678678332017-03-31T08:38:54.377-07:002017-03-31T08:38:54.377-07:00I've done a lot of experimenting with P over t...I've done a lot of experimenting with P over the last 3 years with some bits making zero difference, and some making a huge difference, good or bad. <br /><br />For the past several months he's been in a KK loose ring snaffle for all 3 phases. While brakes aren't the best, as long as I involve my body in the process (i.e., don't lean or clamp), we're typically ok. For awhile I was flatting him in the KK, then jumping in a baucher, and that made ME feel safer, since he seemed to respect that bit, but then it started to make him feel anxious, so in the long run it wasn't working for us. The bitting process is different for every horse and as they grow and progress in their training, what works for them changes as well!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-73423442988987557902017-03-31T08:37:40.784-07:002017-03-31T08:37:40.784-07:00I'm not sure if racehorses are supposed to lea...I'm not sure if racehorses are supposed to lean on the bit for balance but it's very much make your reins short, plant your fists on the neck and then they lean the poop out of you.Purple Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179696153116063779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-43554720559853388122017-03-31T08:35:41.131-07:002017-03-31T08:35:41.131-07:00Lets of good comments here, so I won't reitera...Lets of good comments here, so I won't reiterate. I went through 6 different bits with runkle before getting at our current one (I've actually been working on a post) and I knew all of them weren't 'final form'. Some were huge successes and some were failures but I did learn something from ALL of them, and so did he.<br /><br />I think there are different bits/bridles for different days. And training versus competing or even just riding bits. It's funny you posted that one, because my trainer just put a much older horse in that purely for schooling purposes and they've had a lot of success.<br /><br />I could talk about bits for AGES.Purple Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179696153116063779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-89483624895181199052017-03-31T08:32:01.055-07:002017-03-31T08:32:01.055-07:00ha isabel had excellent brakes too - and could als...ha isabel had excellent brakes too - and could also get a little behind the bit (and leg!) even in the mildest snaffles. that could sometimes introduce problems of its own lol.... <br /><br />honestly i think your ideas of switching bits depending on what you're doing is really interesting - and i've definitely heard of trainers doing that often (esp in the western disciplines). in a way, i do that between dressage and jumping since i have different bridles for each. but i don't end up experimenting much more than that bc i honestly can't be bothered to always be changing out bits and reins and whatnot on all my bridles lol....emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-39932810139631688892017-03-31T08:29:28.365-07:002017-03-31T08:29:28.365-07:00the ideology that 'every horse should be able ...the ideology that 'every horse should be able to go in a snaffle' is actually quite commonly believed, and not unpopular either. a lot of ppl feel that way! and it's important for each of us to recognize maybe why we shouldn't work with certain bits bc of our own misgivings about being able to handle them appropriately. <br /><br />personally, i would love for all my horses to go in snaffles for all three phases. isabel did, and she was great! the reality tho is sometimes a little less idealistic. imo, sometimes a green horse or a strong horse needs something different in order to be successful and safe on cross country, for instance. i think from a perspective of training, we should be seeking to train the horse such that they could plausibly go in a snaffle, but also be realistic about how to best help them and communicate with them in the right here and now. it's a process!emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-25375208330262413752017-03-31T08:25:51.696-07:002017-03-31T08:25:51.696-07:00thanks! honestly i'm not actually "search...thanks! honestly i'm not actually "searching" for bits right now - i have every expectation to continue using the sprenger KKs with charlie, as he goes well in them. rather, the purpose of this experiment was to help show him that the bit isn't for leaning, and encourage him to give or yield to the pressure instead of pulling against it. as he learns how to do that, and how to change how he carries and balances himself accordingly, he will still be going in the KKemmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05686949099663199382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-89051559868461637152017-03-31T07:38:50.242-07:002017-03-31T07:38:50.242-07:00We have done a LOT of bit experimenting with Lucy ...We have done a LOT of bit experimenting with Lucy over the years. When I got her, she was a PITA to unbridle because she was afraid of the bit hitting her teeth. But, in general, all our horses warm up in a plain snaffle (maybe a diff type if needed, but Luce is so easy), then we swap into whatever else for the rest of the ride - so her hunt seat show bit was a D ring Myler with hooks Mullen mouth roller barrel (seriously my favorite breed show hunter bit), and she had three different show curb bits depending on event for western classes. <br /><br />Of course, this is also a horse I ride in a halter bareback so there's that. Brakes are v v v v good (too good??). <br /><br />I guess I'm almost opposite because I think there's a lot of good that can come from switching bits depending on what you're working on. Similar sort of to how runners wear different shoes for sprints, long runs, trail runs, etc? Hollyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03512501054637565887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-932439930694780998.post-71354676491409996292017-03-31T07:00:45.645-07:002017-03-31T07:00:45.645-07:00What I've learned about bits is that I should ...What I've learned about bits is that I should do everything in a straight or broken snaffle. I use a Pelham for proper framing while schooling. I should never be allowed to use any kind of curb. While I am mindful and respectful, I know my hands can get heavy and it's not something I want to inflict on my reactive horses. <br />And, just my unpopular opinion regarding myself, I think if I can't get my horse to work in a snaffle I am failing them somehow. I don't know where I learned this.<br />However, since higher level dressage and working equitation required leverage bits, I'm going to have to address my occasionally heavy hands at some point and learn to use big girls bits. <br />Actually...I think fear is a big reason why I will occasionally hang on a horse's mouth. But I've been lucky to have horses that are game for just about any bit that isn't used incorrectly. SpanishWalkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10003578056572686242noreply@blogger.com