New Paso

I am getting a 6 or 7 year old Paso this weekend from a horse dealer so her history is not known. I have ridden her twice with 2 different shank bits and she tossed her head some. I was wondering if someone have some advice on what kind of bit to try first, hackamore,snaffle, etc.

French link snaffle (double-jointed) is my personal favourite! Started using this one and never looked back. If your horse doesn't like it, you can switch to a single-jointed snaffle-- it's just as gentle, but with a slightly different action in the mouth. Sometimes single-jointed snaffles can "nutcracker" up against the palate, whereas a double-jointed snaffle will instead apply pressure on the tongue.

Same here, we have found many of our horses greately prefer the french snaffle to the single joint, can't nutcracker and they sure like the French link snaffle (double-jointed) much more and go so much happier in them

Yes just try and see what makes her happy, She also may be fussing if you are in her mouth to much.

Because paso bits are so different that what other breeds use, I wouldn't go out and buy the french link snaffle. First, make sure she doesn't need her teeth floated. Then, I'd put her in jaquima and see what she does. I wouldn't hit the trails until you really get to know her.

There are some mild paso bits out there and there's a place here in town that I'll be happy to forward information to you about that will steer you in the right direction for a used bit. They can be expensive! First things first, get her teeth checked..at least I would

Dark horse...Most paso bits are curb with rigid, not broken mouthpieces. If she is a handful, a jaquima alone might not be enough, if you are talking about just the noseband assembly and no bit? There is a lot of variety in nose band assemblies too for lack of anything else to call them.

Getting her teeth check would be the first priotity. Is this a Fino or Peruvian?

All of our Paso's seem to like the Myler low port comfort snaffle or the mullen triple barrel. They can be expensive though so you might want to try to borrow one to try first .

You're right! Was thinking jaquima when I should have been saying bosal..and in a round pen. I wish there were places you could go to and try a bit before buying one as there are so many choices.

Question: Would a curb be less harsh if a horse needed a float as opposed to something with a broken mouthpiece?

When I first got my Paso Fino, she didn't like bits-her last owner had her in a side pull, but wouldn't sell it. So I rode bitless for a couple of years, then went to an eggbutt snaffle-it was Ok, but not wonderful, so I got a French link snaffle & that worked out great.