Bit Information (Snaffle and English-Type Bits)

So sorry to hear about your horse - it's awful to lose them so young. I've just turned 60 and am planning to get back on board on Friday - I have a lovely Clydesdale that will be with me for life. I remember when they first started selling the flash noseband and we never used saddle blankets. Currently trying to convert the young rider who will be competing the 5yr old this year.
Good luck with your new youngster - make sure we get pictures

What are you trying to convert her to? Sorry, I'm confused.

Sorry - trying to convince her that she doesn't need a saddle blanket. The saddle fits well and the kindest thing against the skin is well conditioned leather. That it keeps his back cooler and allows air to flow through the channel. She says she'll be too embarresed to compete without one - makes me chuckle!

Very very helpful!
My horse was ridden in a french link for some time, but after a while it became a bit of a struggle. He got really really strong and I had a hard time stopping him sometimes (he is 18hh which doesnt help) . He was really really heavy on my hands and dragged me forward a lot. I tried a thinner snaffle, which didnt help. I thought maybe a pelham would help for a little while but there wasnt one available to fit him, but I found a kimberwick. I have ridden him in it twice now, and he was really soft and light and on the bit on a loose rein. After reading this though, im not sure if it will work in the longterm, or if it will ruin his mouth or anything.,. I don't know much about bits and am so scared of ruining my horse!! Do you think I should stick with the kimberwick? I am really conscious of the fact that it is stronger than what he is used to, and so keep my hands still and don't fiddle with them and stuf...

Right. You know it's funny. Well, not funny ha ha. Gilly wasn't the perfect horse. He was an alpha male and a bully. We went round and round for three years. I want to have a personal relationship with my horses and I couldn't do it with him, he was so mouthy. He was a lot different the last year but I never did completely trust him enough to get really close to him the way I would have liked. Of course, the other side of him was that he was wonderfully bold. So, I get this new Qtr. Horse and my daughter and her husband came over to see him and we are standing talking for about twenty minutes and all this horse wants to do is be part of the group. He stood there and loved on us the whole time. He is a very mellow fellow and it makes training so much easier. He has a very easy, flowing gait. I think he is going to be fun to work with. He isn't beautiful like Gilly and I thought his head was a little homely. His mane was rubbed off in places. Yesterday I just roached his mane. It's fine haired and will lay over nicely in a month or two. I trimmed about three inches of fur off his jaw line and found that his head is actually kind of cute. After two days he is transitioning between the trot and the walk, backing and pivoting on the fore on the longe. I will keep you posted. His name is Trampus. I'm going to have to be careful. My wife likes him a little too much.

I am a stickler about putting a reflexive stop on my horse. Since I drive, when I tell him to stop I want him to stop and not move. I begin this on the longe line working in a medium circle. . I tell him "hut" nice short little command, take one step laterally in front of the shoulder to begin with and tug as hard as I have to on the line to stop him. If I have to sit down on it and pull his head toward me I do. It's not long before all I have to do is give the command and give a slight dip with my head toward the horse's shoulder and he puts on the brakes. After that it's just the voice command. For this I am using a web halter. The next sequence is to do the same thing with a snaffle in his mouth but the line is still attached to the halter. When he is going nice and easy and stopping I attach the line to the bit. By now he is stopping good an all gaits. Now I might put him in sliding side reins with a snaffle bit. I begin with the line still attached to the halter. Of course, I am working on other things at the same time. After he starts stopping good I attach the line to the ring of the bit. Step three is to put him in driving lines from the ground. I begin by positioning myself a little to the outside of his hip so he can see me. Right now I have the reins attached to the sides of the halter with no bridle. I don't want him to be distracted and messing around with the bit. After he knows what I want I will put him in an open bridle with the snaffle. I still want him to be able to see my body cues.I drive him in a medium circle both ways. When I stop him I give the command, dip and shorten the reins, relasing as soon as he stops. Little by little I will drive him from behind on the rail. Step four is stopping under saddle. At the walk or trot I sit down in the saddle and push the horse into the bit a little with my seat. Then I yell "Whoa you SOB...." Not really. I was getting bored. Where was I? Oh yeah, I sit down and push him forward a little, raise the reins a couple of inches and hold with the reins at the same time as I give the voice command. As soon as he stops I lower the reins and release the rein pressure. It's not long before all I have to do is sit down a little and raise the reins an inch and my horse pulls up and stops. Most often the bit isn't the problem and a stronger bit isn't the cure. Going back and teaching the horse to stop is.

Love this thread, answered all my bit questions! AND it has pictures!!

I'm 15 years old and I own a 14.2, 11 year old quarter pony mare. My pony,Coco, has a strong head and is on the faster side. I've been using a kimberwick on her for a while and she loves it but kimberwicks are illegal in hunter shows. So i'm looking for a llegal bit for my pony that will control,slow-down,soften,etc. Any llegal bit suggestions???

P.S.: Please don't suggest or tell me to try super mild snaffles like plain jointed,rubber,etc. Yes, I've tried lessons and excercises to help control my pony from running through my hands but with a easy bit it just dosnt work without me half haulting every second.

PLEASE help me with reccomendations!!! Thank you!

Read more: Bit Recommendations??? Please help!

I believe you are allowed a pelham, not sure wether you have to use two reins or can use a rounding and one rein.

The pelham wil work very similar to your Kimblewick.

Very informative, thank you