Hi folks! I'm shopping for a bit. Cash, my new guy, is totally excellent and light in the fac. In fact, he goes fine in a halter, which is why I told my trainer I'd like to just use a sidepull or halter with him, but she wants us to use a bit for now. Her reasoning is that we're going to work on developing cues that are more head-based than leg because I'm missing my lower right leg, and we want to be able to cute movements just as precisely as if I had all my parts.
Since he is so light, I don't want to lose that by doing more than he needs. I've been looking at bits and I'm confused about what the most gentle options are. Some people seem to think a mullen mouth snaffle is lightest, while others prefer a French link or single-jointed snaffle. I'm hesitant to use a single joint in case I fall and can't let go fast enough (since I'm still regaining my balance). And looking at the French links, it seems like the thin piece, while avoiding the nutcracker effect, could feel severe against the tongue or palate.
Has anyone used a basic mullen mouth, either rubber or metal? Are they as gentle as they seem?
I've ridden him in a mild single-jointed snaffle, and he was fine, and I've also ridden him in a halter, and he was fine. I believe he was ridden in a short-shank curb by his previous owner.
He has absolutely no issues with running through a bit, stopping, head tossing, anything like that. He is lovely on a loose rein and is most familiar with neck reining. So I'm not trying to select a bit for correcting anything -- just the opposite. I want a bit that will allow me to give him very clear cues but that isn't doing anything on its own and isn't going to ruin any of his lightness.
Any advice?
Since he is so light, I don't want to lose that by doing more than he needs. I've been looking at bits and I'm confused about what the most gentle options are. Some people seem to think a mullen mouth snaffle is lightest, while others prefer a French link or single-jointed snaffle. I'm hesitant to use a single joint in case I fall and can't let go fast enough (since I'm still regaining my balance). And looking at the French links, it seems like the thin piece, while avoiding the nutcracker effect, could feel severe against the tongue or palate.
Has anyone used a basic mullen mouth, either rubber or metal? Are they as gentle as they seem?
I've ridden him in a mild single-jointed snaffle, and he was fine, and I've also ridden him in a halter, and he was fine. I believe he was ridden in a short-shank curb by his previous owner.
He has absolutely no issues with running through a bit, stopping, head tossing, anything like that. He is lovely on a loose rein and is most familiar with neck reining. So I'm not trying to select a bit for correcting anything -- just the opposite. I want a bit that will allow me to give him very clear cues but that isn't doing anything on its own and isn't going to ruin any of his lightness.
Any advice?