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What bit best suits my horse

3K views 17 replies 8 participants last post by  wild_spot 
#1 ·
Hi everyone thank you so much for the advice on teaching my horse the correct lead in canter she is coming along nicely I have a 10 yr old Standardbred mare who has the best heart. I did lots of circles flat work and its paid off.. Im just wondering Ive tried 3 different types of bits on her latey the tom thumb, jointed dee ring, egg butt snaffle I normally use the tom thumb but Im looking to get away from it for the basic dressage tests, I tried dee ring and she brought her head in more which I liked, but am i hurting her in anyway by doing that ?, lastly the egg butt snaffle she really fights me with this one pulls forward, wont listen to my requests with turning ,I wonder if its pinching her .Isnt it meant to be the best one for horses? what do u think would suit her ,, I want to have more contact ,and have her bring her head in but not by force,can anyone help me thansk again Carinna from New Zealand
 
#2 ·
First, you need to check her teeth if they haven't already been seen by an equine dentist. Then, what bit did her last rider use on her? Try that. Ditch the Tom Thumb, too. As for snaffles, an eggbutt with a French link mouthpiece is probably a good starting place, but really, you'll likely need to try many bits until you find one that works. Read the bitting link in my signature. It might give you some points to work from.
 
#3 ·
Eggbutt does not pinch. In fact it's the smoothest one you can get. Loose rings can, BUT some horses like them over everything else. What kind of mouth piece are you using? You may look into french or oval mouth one. (like this: Dover Saddlery | JP Korsteel Oval Mouth Copper Loose Ring Snaffle Bit . it's oval mouth + copper, which will give some taste).
 
#6 ·
I was about to ask the same... What is NZ TT?
 
#7 · (Edited)
Sorry to jump in but NdAppy/KV: In Aus and NZ tom thumb bits are what are known as full cheek snaffles here in the US :wink: Not a leverage bit at all just a difference in vernacular.

OP - The D-ring is a good bit if you want to get away from the full cheek effect of your tom thumb. If you are kind with your hands it will not hurt your horse in any way. If it works better than the eggbut, keep using it!

Importantly, when you have picked the best bit it is a good idea to stick with it so that you aren't confusing your horse too much with trying different mouthpieces.
 
#8 ·
Sorry to jump in but NdAppy/KV: In Aus and NZ tom thumb bits are what are known as full cheek snaffles here in the US :wink: Not a leverage bit at all just a difference in vernacular.
Wow! That's quite a difference I'd say!
 
#10 · (Edited)
It confused the heck outta me when I landed here in the US of A, since the Aussie tom thumb is a staple bit in my repertoire! People looked at me like I had two heads when I said it is a great training bit - ha!

OP in case you are confused, here in the US the tom thumb is a leverage bit with a curb chain, completely different from the one I think you intended to describe.
 
#13 ·
ahh interesting. so what's the mouthpiece on each of the bits you are using (to the OP)? so far all i see are descriptions of the cheekpieces. a dee can be a mild french link or a severe bicycle chain mouth - that certainly makes a lot of a difference!

would love to know more about the mouth on each bit - if it's all the same (simple smooth snaffle) then perhaps try a three piece bit such as a bean or french link and see if the horse likes it more. good luck!
 
#14 ·
ahh interesting. so what's the mouthpiece on each of the bits you are using (to the OP)? so far all i see are descriptions of the cheekpieces. a dee can be a mild french link or a severe bicycle chain mouth - that certainly makes a lot of a difference!

would love to know more about the mouth on each bit - if it's all the same (simple smooth snaffle) then perhaps try a three piece bit such as a bean or french link and see if the horse likes it more. good luck!
Very true CJ however in all my time riding in Aus (and I wonder if NZ is the same) I NEVER once came across the bike chain or twisted wire variety 'snaffles' I am not sure you can even buy one if you wanted. I would bet that it is either a single jointed snaffle or a french link :wink:
 
#17 ·
A fulmer has longer cheek bars, they are normally bent outward to avoid pinching the gums against the teeth, and they should be used with keepers.

I'm a stickler for correct bit terminology. A Tom thumb snaffle is not a full cheek or fulmer/fm.
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