Which Bit do you like for Western Pleasure?

I use a correction bit for my western pleasure horses. The shanks swivel, as does the mouthpeice. It is a nice bit to transition to one-handed riding with.

Horseheart, I would say choose the least amount of bit you need, or don't "over-bit" your horse. For example, if your horse could ride in a halter in lead rope, why would you ride in a curb bit if you didn't have to? Not saying your horse can or should ride in a halter or lead rope, especially not for show, but you catch my drift. Overbitting leads to discomfort or pain and resenment against working. I think the Myler barrel bits or a sweet iron grazing bit sounds like a good fit for a finished wp horse. Just remember -one hand!

I like smrob's reply. There is no reason you can't use the same bit for showing and for rec riding. Typically the only difference is that the show bits are fancy and the only reason they are not used for rec riding is because owners just want to keep them clean (and most are pretty ostentatious).

If you wanted to use the same bit for both, then just get a plain one for training and rec then the same bit in a fancy finish for shows.

I use a Billy Allen mouth piece for both my shanked bit and my snaffle. I use the shanked bit for everyday riding and the snaffle when I sort or pen. The reason I use the snaffle is that, because of the fast action of penning or sorting, I'm in his mouth a lot and all other times I'm on a very loose rein.

GottaRide, A Correction bit can be a pretty severe bit and IMO is a poor choice for going from a snaffle to a shanked bit. They are normally used, as the name implies, to correct a problem and not to be an everyday bit. If it works for you, that's fine but it is not for everyone.

The bit your using now is what the old timers called a tom thumb. I use those quite a bit on the trail, but I don't know if you can show in them. The suggestions above are all things I'd agree to as well (hate to echo without some new info though...) What about hackamore or bosel as an alternative? Just tossin' out ideas...

Hey Everyone!! Thanks so much for everyones input!! It's been busy last couple days. I agree with eternal sun that I shouldnt over bit. I plan on trying a Bosal real soon to see how he does in that. Also, I don't know if he hasnt already transitioned over to a bit like a correction bit. I don't have his entire history. I choose to ride him in the hinged snaffle or Tom thumb (Thank you Qtswede) because I knew it was a good all around bit. I guess I should try it just to see how he responds to it. ** don't worry, I'll keep my hands soft **
But I guess Im just having a hard time riding him one handed. Not used to it.

So is it ok to ride him in the same bit I will show him in?? Will he get a hard mouth?? That was my issue..........the dressage barn I board at ride mostly in snaffles then do a training ride in a double once a week or so. Alot of the trainers say they don't like to always use the double.
Maybe this is where Im getting my confusion.

Thoughts??

That makes sense iridehorses!! Thanks I will look at some.

Hard hands make a hard mouth. So long as you have soft hands, no matter the bit, his mouth will stay soft. With WP, they like as little rein movement as possible so that shouldn't be a problem. When I put my horses in a curb though, I stay away from the hinged mouthpieces just cause every now and then I do have to get in their mouth while working cattle and I don't want anything that is harsher than needed.

There's nothing wrong with showing and training in the same bit, it's just a matter of what's easier for you. While training, if you need to use two hands to practice or make corrections, it's easier on your horse's mouth to use a snaffle because, once again, curb bits are not meant to be used with two hands, and can become very harsh when they are. It depends on the type of showing you do, if it's like a state fair show or 4H you can show in a snaffle as well but for registered shows (like AQHA), I believe you can only ride in a snaffle in green horse classes. Also, of you choose to use two different bits, then make sure they're the same mouthpiece - you can have a snaffle with a low port barrel roller and a curb bit with a low port barrel roller, etc. This will make the transition from one to the other easiest on the horse.

Do you think you can show me examples of these two bits mentioned?

Thanks!!