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Purpose of a bit

2K views 1 reply 2 participants last post by  Cinnys Whinny 
#1 ·
I have a horse that rides well with a halter(turns, stops, etc.) I was wondering is there any other purpose of a bit or hackamore beside making the horse turn and stop? Is there any safety things that a bit does and not a halter? Also I was wondering what the differences are between a bit and a hackamore.
 
#2 ·
I have a horse that rides well with a halter(turns, stops, etc.) I was wondering is there any other purpose of a bit or hackamore beside making the horse turn and stop? Is there any safety things that a bit does and not a halter?
I know in dressage and reining there are very subtle cues with a bit...but actually turning and stopping are mainly seat and leg cues when done correctly on a correctly trained horse...so if you are only wanting to turn, stop, and back...and aren't planning to show (most shows require a bit of some type) then I wouldn't worry about it as long as you are in FULL control of your horse.

Also I was wondering what the differences are between a bit and a hackamore.
a bit goes in the horses mouth and depending on the type puts pressure on the tongue and bars of the mouth, and shanked bits also incorporate the poll. A bit can be used with subtle cues to ask the horse to bend or lift it's shoulders and a lot more that I have yet to learn..

A hackamore has no bit and basically squeezes the horses muzzle with a chain or leather strap on the chin, and puts pressure on the poll. A hackamore IMO is only best on horses that neck rein because most mechanical hackamores do not give you any turn at all. Because of the shanks and the nutcracker action, if you pull one rein, it just pulls the shank up and squeezes the horses muzzle and puts poll pressure on one side...which the horse will try to avoid by going the other way. But this is only my experience.
 
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