Bit Information (Snaffle and English-Type Bits)

Saddleseat is an English riding discipline.... And I think with any bit contact should at some point be released... otherwise where is the horse's release of pressure coming from to tell them what they are doing is correct? I am not trying to be snippy just have a healthy debate. I'm not saying you can't have an opinion or your or my opinion is right or wrong... just trying to let everyone reading this know that there is more than one opinion. And my personal opinion is that a CAPABLE person should be able to judge what equipment they and their horse need to be effective and safe. My point is not to make you mad or prove anyone wrong I'm just trying to give those people who are using this site as an informative place the thought that they may want to do their own research and form their own opinions because sometimes there is a time and a place for these "tools" to be used by proper hands on a proper horse under proper supervision and they shouldn't be dismissed or thought of as cruel because their are some people that misuse them. I would never lay a cruel touch to a horse, my horses are the loves of my life... therefore I take precautionary measures to make sure that myself, my horses, my students, and those around us stay safe and in control. I really do agree with most of what is said in your article about how the bits actually work, but I just would like you to realize that it can be a little bit insulting and hurtful when people judge based upon the wicked rumors and the incorrect hands laid upon certain training and riding tools.
I hope that clears up my point of view and why I've been commenting! Thanks :)

Do you just drop your reins when in the ring? You give minute releases within the contact to reward the horse. You don't drop the contact. Riding on contact is a constant game of give and take. Minute releases, minute half halts. It isn't a constand 'hold'.

In regards to the mule bit - if your students need them to control a hot horse then how do they have the finesse, timing and ability to use them properly without causing discomfot intentionally or unintentionally?

I find that those riders who have the finesse to use a harsh bit for the betterment of the horse are usually those who don't need to.

Great info.!!

This is a great post, especially the underlined part. I really do still stand by my original statement.


EnglishRider, thank you :)

Fascinating post... only so much I can say since I don't ride english...

And because of that i'm not too capable of giving decent responses, but a do disagree some on a couple of the bits you call "nasty." got one horse that does need a twisted bit, but like I say, that's western, not english.

Spence, I consider the disciplines a bit different (haha pun intended) as in English, we want our horses to seek and hold contact. In my personal opinion, a horse shouldn't have to seek contact (and I'm talking a couple pounds in each hand constantly) onto something that is going to hurt the lips. Because of that constant contact, I call these bits harsh.
This is also the reason I will say that curb bits in a finished (or finishing) western horse is just fine and dandy -- since you aren't keeping constant contact, the horse gets relief from the curb.

Awesome thread! Some bits are just nasty. Can anyone tell me what the chain does and what the softest bit is?

I just found out a rider at my stable has a corkscrew bit for her horse. Not sure which person or which horse, saw the bridle hanging out of locker, but I can't imagine using that bit. I've been at my barn for 2 years and I work there. I really don't believe any of the horses need that harsh a bit. He seems like it'd hurt.

I really appreciate this thread as I know very very little about bits. I agree that harsh bits are for soft hands. My guy goes in a loose ring snaffle (as I am just beginning to really learn to ride), but just tonight I tried him in a D-ring with copper rollers in the mouth. At first I thought he was going to have a heart attack from hating it but then he started to soften and by the end of our ride, he was rounder than I have ever gotten him. I think he really likes it!

This is a great post...very informative! Just wondering, does anyone have any experience with a Dee Ring Broken Segunda? I just started using one on my horse who loves to grab the bit and hang on it...and the segunda is working very well for her! She's no longer hanging so I can ride with very light hands and she is now listening to the smallest aids and half halts so I can get her on her rear. :)

Anyone else have any experiences...positive or negative...with this or another ported bit?
Posted via Mobile Device