What bit to use on a young horse?
Snaffles. Logically, a simple snaffle is the best choice. Leave any type of curb to more advanced training. The first choice will probably be a jointed snaffle bit with smallish rings that would be unlikely to catch on anything if the horse does try to rub its face.
What are the types of snaffle bits?
Snaffle bits come in five varieties: D-ring, eggbutt, loose ring, full cheek, and half-cheek.
What are the types of horse bit?
The two basic types of bits are snaffle bits and leverage (curb) bits. These differ in the areas on the horse where each applies pressure. In addition to these two types of bits, there are hackamores, which generally do not have a mouthpiece.
What is a snaffle horse bit?
A snaffle bit is an English horse bit that sits in the horse’s mouth. This mouthpiece may be solid or made up of two or three pieces. When a rider pulls the reins, the snaffle bit puts pressure on the bars, lips, and tongue of the horse’s mouth. When using a snaffle bit, no pressure is applied to the horse’s poll.
How do you introduce a bit to a young horse?
It is a good idea with a young, inexperienced horse to work with his mouth before introducing a bit. Play with his lips. Put your fingers into his mouth, massage his bars, rub his palate. This can be done with newborn foals during the imprinting process or on an older horse who has not had it done before.
What is a Myler bit?
Myler bits have a curved mouthpiece to allow the horse’s tongue to pass under the bit, allowing him to swallow naturally. Myler Level One mouthpieces have a more exaggerated curve as the bit rotates on to the tongue and wraps the bars of the mouth providing tongue pressure without applying bar or lip pressure.
What does a Wilson snaffle do?
The bit works with a squeezing action on the cheeks rather than on the corners of the mouth. The Wilson can give superb control and “turning power” for a hard-pulling horse, while not being overly severe. How do I get one? The Wilson snaffle is available from leading tack shops, and costs from £12.99.
What is the difference between a snaffle and a curb bit?
Snaffle bits have a single ring on each side, which applies direct pressure to the sides of the mouth. A curb bit has a shank or lever on each side. A shanked bit is considered a curb bit regardless of whether it has a solid or jointed mouthpiece. The reins are attached to the rings.
What is a Hackamore bit?
A hackamore is a bridle with no bit. The shanks on the mechanical hackamore provide leverage, just as the shanks on a curb bit do. Rather than pressure being applied inside of the mouth, the hackamore places pressure over the nose and other points of the head.
What is a bomber bit?
Bomber bits are an extremely popular choice for horse riders. Their most popular mouthpiece is the “Bomber Happy Tongue”, which is a sweet iron bit, ported, and forward raised “off the tongue”. Bombers use a system of colour coded mouthpieces to help you select the right bit for your horse.
What is a mild snaffle bit?
While slightly harsher, D-ring snaffle bits are also considered very gentle bits for horses. The mouthpiece is typically thinner which exerts more pressure per square inch than the thicker mouthpiece in an Eggbutt Snaffle. The Mullen Mouth bit is also considered to be among the more relatively gentle bits for horses.
What is a Weymouth bit?
Weymouth bits are designed to be used with a double bridal. It combines a curb bit with a bradoon and is typically associated with dressage events. The Saddlery Shop has a range of high quality Weymouth bits from Grafton.
What is a simple snaffle bit for horses?
The snaffle bit (at rest) sits gently across this pillow, held off the bars by the plump pressure of the tongue up against the palate. A horse learns quickly how to comfortably “carry” the bit in that position. Simple Snaffles work well to teach horses to turn laterally: to give direct response to direct pressure from the rein left or right.
What is the best bit for a beginner horse rider?
With no curb action, the horse is not so easily stopped as you might wish. Dog Bone Snaffles, Life-saver Snaffles (3-piece) are a very good starter bit and a “kinder-gentler” bit for inexperienced hands.
What is a full cheek snaffle for horses?
Designed from a full-cheek snaffle, this one has almost an egg-butt connection between the mouthpiece and the rings. This flat side on the cheekpiece has a greater effect on the cheek opposite of the direct pull of the reins and keeps the ring from going into the horse’s mouth.
What is a Don Dodge snaffle for horses?
Don Dodge snaffle, made by Greg Darnell. Designed from a full-cheek snaffle, this one has almost an egg-butt connection between the mouthpiece and the rings. This flat side on the cheekpiece has a greater effect on the cheek opposite of the direct pull of the reins and keeps the ring from going into the horse’s mouth.