Bits

[dianaaa]

I ride a medium pony who is quite strong sometimes, but I would like to ride him in a snaffle. There are some stronger snaffles out there, but I really like D Rings. Mickey is currently in a Kimberwick, and he pulls in that sometimes, but he is in a snaffle of some sort for games. Is there any kind of snaffle that would work for him, like a twisted snaffle of some sort?

[alliekk]

twisted wire snaffles are common for hard mouthed horses, but BE CAREFUL, they are HARSH. ask a trainers advise before changing his bit. he may just need extensive training in flexing and giving to the bit

[silverleprichuan]

Ideally you want to do transitions, circles, bending, serpentines, etc until your pony learns to respect your aids and is soft. If you have worked on these things and he's still a horse that requires a stronger bit then you might want to look into a gag, 3-ring elevator, dr. bristol, or possibly a slow twist. Before you try a harsher bit I'd recommend trying a double jointed bit such as a french-link or oval mouth. Some horses find the nut cracker effect of a single joint very painful and resist to avoid pain.

[dianaaa]

I've done transitions, serpentines, and many other things that normally would get a horse to soften. The thing is, Mickey doesn't go into a frame for me. He doesn't bend easily, but sometimes he gets quiet when we're on circles and becomes soft. But not often. I'm not sure about the 3 ring elevator, because I think it makes horses raise their heads (not 100% on that, but "elevator") and Mickey's head is high enough already. I'm thinking more like a slow twist D ring or full cheek. Thanks for the suggestions!

[AidEE]

I have found the WONDER bit for my horse haha.
Its a D-ring slow twist dr. bristol. its works really well for my horse who doesent have the softest mouth.

[silverleprichuan]

I have found the WONDER bit for my horse haha.
Its a D-ring slow twist dr. bristol. its works really well for my horse who doesent have the softest mouth.


That is about as harsh of a bit as you can find. If you need that strong of a bit to control your horse then you should go back to the basics in a loose ring until your horse listens to your aids.

[dianaaa]

That is about as harsh of a bit as you can find. If you need that strong of a bit to control your horse then you should go back to the basics in a loose ring until your horse listens to your aids.

That sounds likes something that would be harsh, but not as harsh as a Kimberwick or Pelham. Is it more harsh than a pelham? If so than I'll try a normal slow twist D ring. Or a normal D. We shall see.

[silverleprichuan]

That sounds likes something that would be harsh, but not as harsh as a Kimberwick or Pelham. Is it more harsh than a pelham? If so than I'll try a normal slow twist D ring. Or a normal D. We shall see.


A pelham is not a harsh bit when used correctly. With a pelham a rider can maintain contact with the snaffle and only use the curb rein for minute adjustments. A kimberwicke gives you the curb action without the option of a snaffle rein... it's a poorly designed bit that really does not have a place in the hunter world.
A twisted dr. bristol is very harsh and if a horse tries to behave they cannot escape the harsh mouth piece. A pelham gives you a chance to use a plain snaffle which makes it a less severe bit.

[dianaaa]

A pelham is not a harsh bit when used correctly. With a pelham a rider can maintain contact with the snaffle and only use the curb rein for minute adjustments. A kimberwicke gives you the curb action without the option of a snaffle rein... it's a poorly designed bit that really does not have a place in the hunter world.
A twisted dr. bristol is very harsh and if a horse tries to behave they cannot escape the harsh mouth piece. A pelham gives you a chance to use a plain snaffle which makes it a less severe bit.

I don't think I would want a Pelham because it has the plain snaffle and the other bit, which I wouldn't trust myself to be as gentle as I needed with Mickey. I don't think I can ride him in just a plain snaffle at the moment, which is why I'm favouring the twisted D ring. I don't like kimberwicks either though.

[alliekk]

I agree that you shouldn't have to you the harshest bit in the world. I've actually found that my D-ring (straight bar) with copper rollers on the bars. In my observation, It seems that the straight bars are just a slight bit harsher than the normal curve of an O-ring because it has more of a V and less of a half-circle. They also love the copper rollers because it gives them something to play with! If Mickey is too easily distracted then you can just use a regular D-ring. I've never had a problem with control with my D-ring and I take it wherever I go. My horses even game in it.

Try getting more collection out of him before switching to a stronger bit. Do you have a trainer that can help you? I think your biggest problem is the collection and once you can get that then you can start to soften him up. Also, how is his "whoa?" you should work on clean transitions, haunch/forehand turns, side-passing/leg yeilding, and serpentines or zig-zags in a two-track.

[Casper2002]

The only problem with those bits is if you show in competition a horse over 5 must be shown in a shanked bit and doughnut bits are illegal. Snaffles are great I still train my older horses in them, but Curbed bits are a must if you want to show at a higher level.

[Max]

Why would you need a harsh bit? A bit is ment to guide a horse not control them.

[DixieGirl]

Why would you need a harsh bit? A bit is ment to guide a horse not control them.

I agree with Max 1,000%!! I hate ppl that put a harsh bit on horses! The bits on my horse's are really lite!

[silverleprichuan]

I agree with Max 1,000%!! I hate ppl that put a harsh bit on horses! The bits on my horse's are really lite!


:rolleyes:. A light bit in heavy uneducated hands can be a lot more harsh then a heavy bit in educated hands. I use a twisted snaffle on my mare during cross country, yes I can and have schooled her in a smooth snaffle but I need a little extra something to rock her back when she's worked up.


To the OP. Proper training should always come before looking at a stronger bit. If his head is high and he's stiff then a stronger bit might have a negative effect. How does he go in a halter? I know how frustrating it can be when your horse is stiff and high-headed but no bit can fix that. A super harsh bit might cause him to stick his nose in but he will still be stiff and high necked.
I know that no one wants to hear that it might be a pain issue because thats potentially expensive but it might be something you should consider. Has he had his teeth floated late, back checked, saddle fit checked, etc?

[zansgoodnews]

ummm....I use a weymouth on my mare....its the ONLY bit that she truly LOVES....She hates snaffles and I don't know why....I have tried all sorts of bits but the only one she is really comfortable in is the weymouth. She relaxes so much with it and I can just tell she feels confident with it, which is the only reason I have it in her mouth. Harsh bits can be used, just in the proper hands. I don't ever let anyone else ride her with that bit because I know in someone else's hands they could ruin her.

[ForeverEquine]

:rolleyes: grow up. A light bit in heavy uneducated hands can be a lot more harsh then a heavy bit in educated hands. I use a twisted snaffle on my mare during cross country, yes I can and have schooled her in a smooth snaffle but I need a little extra something to rock her back when she's worked up.


To the OP. Proper training should always come before looking at a stronger bit. If his head is high and he's stiff then a stronger bit might have a negative effect. How does he go in a halter? I know how frustrating it can be when your horse is stiff and high-headed but no bit can fix that. A super harsh bit might cause him to stick his nose in but he will still be stiff and high necked.
I know that no one wants to hear that it might be a pain issue because thats potentially expensive but it might be something you should consider. Has he had his teeth floated late, back checked, saddle fit checked, etc?


Perhaps you could have worded that a bit more tactful. It seemed a bit rude with the "grow up" remark. There's no need to demean someone for their opinion. We all have different views and that should be respected.

As for my view, I personally use smooth snaffles and never have had the need for anything else but of course, I've only had a few horses and have never worked with any that would need a stronger bit. I would not be against using a stronger bit though if I knew that the horse needed it and if I was able to use it properly. The riders safety is just as important as the horses.

[silverleprichuan]

Perhaps you could have worded that a bit more tactful. It seemed a bit rude with the "grow up" remark. There's no need to demean someone for their opinion. We all have different views and that should be respected.

As for my view, I personally use smooth snaffles and never have had the need for anything else but of course, I've only had a few horses and have never worked with any that would need a stronger bit. I would not be against using a stronger bit though if I knew that the horse needed it and if I was able to use it properly. The riders safety is just as important as the horses.


a senior member should know better

[alliekk]

I'm going to have to disagree about the senior member part. She may be a senior member, but that doesn't mean she knows everything about horses. On this sight, Senior member just means you've posted more than 100 posts on CC. Now someone who claims to be an expert or advanced rider should know better. I believe that, yes, you should re-school your horse before considering a harsher bit because he is too stiff or whatever that problem was. If you are doing X-country and he wont listen to you to position himself because he's too excited, AND YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, then yes, find a bit that will keep him focused.

[ForeverEquine]

a senior member should know better


And what does that imply? I may be a senior member but I will never assume I know more than basic horse knowledge. I've self taught myself almost everything so naturally I'm not as versed as others are. I use what I've had good results with. I can keep my horse healthy, happy, and we enjoy riding together. Isn't that what is important?

[Max]

a senior member should know better

there is no reason to demean someone, and I don't care how many hours a person has on the back of a horse, they don't know everything.And anyone who thinks they do give up learning and are difficult to talk to.And I'm not pointing any fingers, this is just my opinion and perspective.

[silverleprichuan]

there is no reason to demean someone, and I don't care how many hours a person has on the back of a horse, they don't know everything.And anyone who thinks they do give up learning and are difficult to talk to.And I'm not pointing any fingers, this is just my opinion and perspective.


well she's the one who said that she "hates people who put harsh bits in their horses mouth". being a senior member means you've spent at least some time on this board. as a result you should know better than to make offensive blanket statements such as that. Yes harsh bits should not be used instead of proper training but to "hate" anyone who choses to use such a bit is extreme and offensive.

[Max]

I also dislike people who use a harsh bit in a horses mouth inappropriately, because they refuse to educate themselves so that they handle the bit correctly.Granted some people can't get the information, but anyone who reads this post obviously has the internet and can get the information they need.So for anyone to use a harsh bit as a punishment to the horse, without knowledge of what the bit was designed for would be foolish, and I would feel bad for their horse.

[fowlerk]

I would use a Pelham. The top rein is just a snaffle and the bottom rein is just like a western curb chain bit. (I explained it because most people think they are very harsh bits) I ride with one, but it can be confussing.