Bits Bits and More bits.....HELP!!

Hey everyone!

I have a 7 y/o dutch warmblood/ thoroughbred (newly) gelding. And he has been off being trained in straight bar bit in a training fork.

I need to keep him in a pretty harsh bit, from what im learning the straight bar is pretty intense. Is this true? Should I keep him in a straight bar or should I change it? If I change it what other harsh bits are good. And please get me some pictures if you have ideas.

I am new to switching bits, I usually use a french link snaffle and/or a plain staffle. I have used an elevator bit but I'm not a big fan.

Thanks for your help and input guys!!!!!

Khorsluv

Why do you need a harsh bit?

A straight bar can be harsh because there is no toungue relief, so even when you aren't applying pressure, the horse still can't get relief from it. A nicer bit would be an arched mullen mouth - still a solid bar but does provide some toungue relief and comfort.

Harsh bits can sometimes cause more problems than they solve because its hard for the horse to learn how to focus on you if they are constantly uncomfortable, thus always focusing on that discomfort.

Well with solid bar bits you can't get independent pressure and signals on either side of the horse's mouth.. I'm a big fan of regular snaffles. With proper training and lightness of the hands, he should respond fine. You should never have to "pull back" on a bit, but rather stop your hands from following the motion of the horse, and "close" them down to a slower gait.

I would go with a low port uxter Kimberwick. They are moderate in severity, but have more stop with the curb chain.


Korsteel Uxeter Kimberwicke from SmartPak Equine
I would continue to work on his training, so you can wean him down to a french link or bean mouth snaffle. I'd recommend some Dressage lessons.


JP Korsteel Copper Oval Mouth Loose Ring from SmartPak Equine

I agree with Dressage lessons. They did WONDERS for my horse. A curb bit (such as a pelham) is also very helpful for getting the horse to relax through the lower jaw and break at the poll. Although they're only really supposed to be used once they're taught to do that with a regular snaffle.

Well since he was just gelded a month ago, he is still thinking like a stud. When he was younger he was started in dressage and then was put into a breeding program from about 18 months. He did go to morvan(sp) park and won champion at first or second level dressage. So at one point he was well behaved, I think, and since he has been out of work and is now starting to go back into it he has had an attitude, no respect. And he tends to have "A-D-D" inthe ring, he gets bored really easily and then he starts to act up. He has been responding TEN times better with the straight bar, so I was thinking about keeping him in that as he is coming out of training.

I think I am def going to use the kimberwick one with a low port. I don't want him to be in something harsh forever, and then risk having to go to something more harsh, just in case, you know?

As far as dressage, I am already all over that. I have been training under a Grande Prix Dressage Trainer and we are going to get him back into work.

I plan on doing eventing with him.

Keep up with ideas, the more the better.


And THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN ME FEED BACK!!!

Okay so I got the kimberwick the other day and used it in a jumping lesson in an indoor. My trainer was saying that its too harsh for an "indoor" bit. I guess because it is a controlled environment and blah blah. BUT I came home and all we have is an outdoor and I used the kimberwick and im glad I had it.

So I guess im seeking something not as strong as the kimberwick, but stronger than a snaffle or frenchlink. I was thinking a slow twist....

Any thoughts??????

Thnx

I guess I'm not understanding the problem too well here... but if you feel safer with a harsh bit, then my recommendation is a pelham. I would steer clear of any twisted wire bits, or even a slow twist bit - you can do very great damage if you don't have good hands.

(I am of the opinion that great riders should be able to ride any horse in any bit, but not need to resort to anything other than a snaffle... but that's just my opinion. And truly great riders are few and far between.)

On to the pelham - this gives you independence of rein. You can ride on just the snaffle rein, and then apply the curb rein as needed, this way you can save his mouth a little more. With something like a kimberwick, you are never riding off the curb rein... with the pelham you have a choice - ride on the snaffle, ride on the curb, or just enforce the curb as needed.

That's my 2 cents. Please feel free to PM me if you have questions, or I'll check back on this thread later.

Use the top slot when you are indoors and the bottom slot when you are at home. The top slot gives it more of a feel of a snaffle and is a little more mild than the bottom slot.