bits???

[horselover247]

hi-my 4year old standardbred is currently ridden in a english hackamore
,but as we have had strangles (not our fault so i wont go into it)we have only been able to ride in the school and not on the road. my friend seems to think that i should ride him in a it at lest once a week... but i feel so cruel putting him in a bit ....he i so happy in a hackamore ....But he really doesnt like cars so i think i should ride him in a bit just for some extra controll ......so heres my question
a)do you thik i am cruel for makeing him use a bit
b)what kind of bit would you suggest for a 4year old
c)what do you think of D RING SNAFFLE BIT WITH COPPER ROLLERS
anyone used them ....are they any good my friend suggetsed that is good bit for young horses??? ;D ;Dthankss ;D ;D

[jackiedo]

Robbie went well in a D ring snaffle with copper rollers....

He has the lightest of mouths

[antares]

Well first of all you should take stock of exactly how your horse goes in the hackamore. Can you go, stop and steer without any problems? Has your horse ever worn a bit and been taught correctly how to accept it? If not then how do you think you will have more control

In answer to your specific questions

A. No, bits are no cruel if they are used in a sympathetic manner
B. one that fits properly and suits the horses mouth confirmation
C. D ring snaffle useful for youngsters but not keen on rollers myself

But... If it ain't broke why change?

[madmare1]

I mouthed my younger mare with a copper and sweet iron hanging cheek snaffle, she is now in a straight bar rugby pelham, as she has the usual arabian problem of small parrot mouth and thick tongue....so she hated the joint in the snaffle....and she has a beautifully light mouth. But, I agree, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you are confident with traffic.....he will be.

[horselover247]

he was broken in a bit but when i bought him i rode him i a bit ..then he got sick and i didnt ride him for at least 3months then i went strait in to slow riding with a hackamore ..he is getting fitter now but as i said i have never ridden on a road with it and i dont feel that i would have enough controll it he bolted or reared(he hate cars)
i have never worked him in a outline
andi am just not sure what to do
;Dthanks

[horselover247]

Jan 16, 2013 19:53:54 GMT 1 madmare1 said:

I mouthed my younger mare with a copper and sweet iron hanging cheek snaffle, she is now in a straight bar rugby pelham, as she has the usual arabian problem of small parrot mouth and thick tongue....so she hated the joint in the snaffle....and she has a beautifully light mouth. But, I agree, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. If you are confident with traffic.....he will be.

sorry didnt see your post
i think he is more confident in traffic than i am ......i had some bad experiences

[madmare1]

It happens hun, can you get a more confident friend with a bombproof horse to go out with you? You ride the schoolmaster, and your friend on your boy, or get someone to walk with you, just to reassure you. My older mareis usually the one who goes out with youngsters or spooky ones to give them confidence as she is a really relaxed horse who doesn't bother at anything....but she is rising 27 years old!

[misty]

Agree with above. Get him used to traffic. We didn't have a schoolmaster when we did Rosie you just have to keep going slowly and surely. Good luck he'll be all the better for it.

[horselover247]

yeah i hae been out with other horses and he was ok .....but i am moving yards in FEB and i need to ride him there (its just up the road )and my friends not able to make it

[lisap]

What kind of hackamore is it? A sidepull has a lot milder action than an English hackamore for example. Any chance of a pic of your horse wearing his bridle?
If he is in an english hackamore, you will have just as much, if not more braking power when riding out on the road, as if you were using a bit. The english hackamore is a very strong bridle, and I certainly recommend it for people with pulling horses.

And contrary to what seems to be the general view - a well schooled horse will generally accept most bits that fit its' mouth. it's the horses that are poorly schooled that lean on the bit usually.

[horselover247]

Jan 17, 2013 12:16:30 GMT 1 lisap said:

What kind of hackamore is it? A sidepull has a lot milder action than an English hackamore for example. Any chance of a pic of your horse wearing his bridle?
If he is in an english hackamore, you will have just as much, if not more braking power when riding out on the road, as if you were using a bit. The english hackamore is a very strong bridle, and I certainly recommend it for people with pulling horses.

And contrary to what seems to be the general view - a well schooled horse will generally accept most bits that fit its' mouth. it's the horses that are poorly schooled that lean on the bit usually.

heres a picture of him in his bridle

[madmare1]

personally, I would keep him in that...as long as you ride with light hands, you will be fine. Should imagine you will have better brakes in that than I do in a bit!

Emma xx

[lisap]

Agree with Madmare, that is an English hackamore, and is a strong bridle. Light hands are generally all that is needed.