I was wondering... Does it make a difference to use a different bit throughout training? I've been been riding my horse in a french link loose ring snaffle, and I've been reading different articles and asking others opinions. I understand that it's a better way to go to get your horse to learn everything with a snaffle, and as you move up the levels, to switch to other bits for different purposes...
We have been schooling training level dressage with the intentions of only showing Intro level at this point until after my pregnancy. We also compete in Elementary level eventing.
I'll change up bits as needed, but a frenchlink loose ring is a good bit to be in and is what my goal is to work my horses into. Both if then are now in losserings and I have zero inclination to change. A loose ring is sort of the 'gold standard' of dressage bits.
Just because its a good bit doesnt mean it's the only thing. Some horses hate the loose ring so they get something else. Some have training holes that can be better fixed with a different bit. I've moved a chestnut mare into a Waterford loosering when she would bolt after fences with the plan to go back to the fl loosering fter a week or two, and we did. I'll put full cheeks/fulmers on others. Bauchers in others. Sometimes it's their permanent bit, others it's not.
If you're doing fine in the fl loose ring, I wouldn't change it.
Same here. From what I understand, change is only necessary if what you have isn't working for the horse. Is there a reason you're looking at other options?
I use a full cheek, 3 piece lozenge for my "go to bit" and only escalate if absolutely necessary or if the horse just hates the bit, then my backup is usually a mullen mouth bit. If I have a horse that gets a bit strong (I do Limited Distance rides, and a fit horse at the start of a race, sometimes needs a bit that is a little stronger or switch to a running martingale until they get the tickle out of their feet, usually by first vet check) or for my combined driving horse, he goes in a simple mullen mouth bit but for marathon stage, he gets a Pee Wee bit so that he doesn't latch on and get too strong. I find that the simpler the bit the better for all.
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