Are you looking for a new bit for Gidget? If you are, any specific problems you are looking for help with?
Rebel runs in this billy allen bit:
Bailey either runs in a twisted wire snaffle or the sharon camarillo six bit
I started using the Billy Allen because it was legal for the stock seat classes Rebel was showing in at the time. He liked it, it's a kinda bit with virtually no pinches that he worked well in.
The snaffle I used because Bailey is super sensitive, and even the six bit is almost too bitey for her. But it offers a smooth pull and the mouthpiece isn't harsh either.
If were talking english here too, I ride Des on the flat in a rotary D ring snaffle bit, I can't find any pictures, but its like a french link but the section in the centre rolls.
As for over fences, I usually ride her in a rubber mouth jointed pelham with a snug curb chain. We haven't jumped in 3 months so ill be jumping her in a kimberwicke this coming week, but I feel I need a little more woah with her over fences, it may be different with Gidget.
If you're wanting to try a new bit, don't jump too far from what you are/were at, too much leverage too soon could confuse a horse, as could a change in where most of the pressure lies (poll, nose, tongue etc. )
This is what I ride most of my horses in because the majority seem to like it. But on Thursday I tried something very similar to this (loose ring instead of eggbut):
She is an extremely soft horse and I was trying to find something that she would actually accept some contact with and this worked wonderfully!
Patty runs in a Jim Warner Hackamore, because she does best in it. No bit to get in her face with and enough control to pick her up and move her over if needed.
Link is in a D ring snaffle, he's just started on barrels. He works well in the snaffle and does everything I ask. I see no reason to not keep the snaffle as long as he's doing well in it. Posted via Mobile Device
Yea,I am looking for a new bit. I am not sure what kind of bit that I should get. Right now I have a bit that I am using it's a sweet iron bit with very short swivel shanks but at the same time she isn't responding to it as much as I would like. Maybe I just need to work on her woes. I am looking for something she will pay attention to and really work with her and not against her.
It just gives me a little reinforcement and "woah". I like moving horses up through snaffles, into a shanked snaffle type bit and then, if need be, into something with a little bit of a port and swivel.
What kind of bit are you using right now? That would help us reccommend something :) Would you want shanks, no shanks...?
I would try stepping her up to the billy allen. That is generally what I do when colts are first starting with being bitted up more. From there, I would maybe try a Sherry Cervi Dogbone to run in (But with a leather chinstrap instead of a chain one)
I actually recently changed both of my horses to softer bits, and I am very glad I did so.
My gelding Red runs in the Molly Powell Rookie bit. I believe it is actually made for horses stepping up in their speed, but it has really helped him be more bendy around the barrels. This is great, because he is a fairly large horse (16 hands) and needs all the bending help he can get. I included a picture of this bit.
My mare Molly Jo runs in a simple full cheek snaffle. Her previous owners had her in one of the Lynn Mackenzie bits, but what I found out was that the harsher the bit the less she felt motivated to really try. So, I put that snaffle in her and I think she appreciated the calmness of it.
Flash uses a wonder gag but im looking for another that fits and works better. Cody used a snaffle and a wonder but he wasnt the best and so im looking for a nice hack to get him.
