I have a Question

[Full of Flight]

I have a horse that I want to show dressage cause he knows up to 2nd. level dressage. But I ride him in a Pelham but I have never done a dressage show, I would start to show Intro. But I can't show the lower levels in a Pelham. What bit could I use in Intro or Training level dressage??

Thanks,
Kimberly

[alliekk]

Just a regular O-ring, Eggbutt, D-ring, or Half/Full cheek snaffle will be just fine. Make sure there's no copper in it though.

[crazy4horses]

I would recommend a D ring snaffle and a full check snaffle. ;) They are both pretty mild bits!

[Full of Flight]

Lonestar is VERY heavy in the snaffle. That is were my problen is cause he is only light in a pelham.

[DixieGirl]

Well maybe he doesn't want to do dressage! lol :p

[crazy4horses]

Well maybe he doesn't want to do dressage! lol :p

Yeah, maybe he's hinting to you he doesn't like dressage only jumping!! (JK!) :p

[alliekk]

Get him used to a regular snaffle, he's disobeying and being rude when he's heavy. Do exercises in the snaffle like bending and work on getting him subtle. Exercises are the best way to get him used to a bit. Don't resort to stronger bits if you have a problem with the softer ones, that just causes a hard mouth and a disrespectful horse.

[Full of Flight]

Get him used to a regular snaffle, he's disobeying and being rude when he's heavy. Do exercises in the snaffle like bending and work on getting him subtle. Exercises are the best way to get him used to a bit. Don't resort to stronger bits if you have a problem with the softer ones, that just causes a hard mouth and a disrespectful horse.

Yeah me and my trannier are working ongetting him softer. I think I will wait till spring to show dressage, and finish out this season Hunter/Jumper

[DixieGirl]

Good idea!

[Full of Flight]

Well maybe he doesn't want to do dressage! lol :p

Yes jumping is really his thing!!

[DixieGirl]

Yes jumping is really his thing!!

Yeah it is! You can tell he likes it! Espically in that bareback pad the other day! :p

[Full of Flight]

I never thought I would see you trot Lonestar bareback over a jump!!lol. :)

[DixieGirl]

Yeah! Thanks! I feel so so brave! :p I wasn't quite ready to canter it but I might next time! :)

[Full of Flight]

It is a lot easier to a canter bareback on Lonestar!!

[DixieGirl]

YEAH!! I love his canter because it is so smoth! I could ride that all day long! :)

[Full of Flight]

YES!! I love to canter bareback.

[DixieGirl]

Montana and Bargain's canter it nice too! Espically since I got Bargain to lope today! OMGsh! It was so nice!

[alliekk]

Yeah me and my trannier are working ongetting him softer. I think I will wait till spring to show dressage, and finish out this season Hunter/Jumper
Another idea, I know it'll be hard for you, but start schooling him over jumps with softer bits too. Have your trainer ride him every once in a while with a soft bit over the jumps, that way he'll learn that he can and will be controlled with less harsh bits. That will really improve your chances of doing well in Dressage.

Switching bits constantly will confuse him so either stick with your Pelham or switch to a snaffle (recommended). The sooner you gain his respect in a softer bit the sooner you can have more fun without having to worry about using a harsh bit just to ride. I feel terrible for some of the horses I see wearing bits with huge ports and I hate the rules of the Western world where a horse MUST have a shank after the age of 4. If a horse can perform without a harsh bit then let it.

[DixieGirl]

but on a pelham the top ring acts like a snaffle and the bottom acts like a curb bit.

[alliekk]

But if it acts like a pelham then why use it instead of a snaffle. The only reason I can think of is the bars themselves are smaller around, which are harsher than bigger around. This is a picture of the bit I use on ALL of my horses, whether old or young. It's the training that determines what sort of bit you should use.

[Full of Flight]

Another idea, I know it'll be hard for you, but start schooling him over jumps with softer bits too. Have your trainer ride him every once in a while with a soft bit over the jumps, that way he'll learn that he can and will be controlled with less harsh bits. That will really improve your chances of doing well in Dressage.

Switching bits constantly will confuse him so either stick with your Pelham or switch to a snaffle (recommended). The sooner you gain his respect in a softer bit the sooner you can have more fun without having to worry about using a harsh bit just to ride. I feel terrible for some of the horses I see wearing bits with huge ports and I hate the rules of the Western world where a horse MUST have a shank after the age of 4. If a horse can perform without a harsh bit then let it.

It is not mine or my trainner's fault cause he was sold on a 30 day trial and
the ppl really messed him up!! He came back like skin and bones cause they did not feed him. Before that I could ride him in a d ring

[alliekk]

I wasn't blaming anyone for his heavy mouth, but it's still a good idea to reschool him. I know of a horse that that happened to also. He wasn't fed for nearly 7 days straight and almost died. It was sad. Since you have a trainer I would suggest just reschooling him so that you can easily ride him in whatever bit you'd like.

[Full of Flight]

I knew you were not blaming anyone, I was just saying. :)