I have recently switched my junior horse from a port to a snaffle bit. (I still have to two-hand him too often to get him collected at the lope, I am using a slow twist for now. He does well with it but I'm not sure you can show a western horse in a slow-twist can you?)
So I'm ordering a snaffle that I can use in show and that's what I'm going to use for practice too... same bit. I'm not sure what the difference between an O and a D is (I mean, regarding what it does...) I have found an O and a D that I like... The O is about $15 more expensive....
It's really personal preference, for you and the horse. I would buy the same as the twisted snaffle; if it's a d, then get a d, if it's an o, get an o.
Also, most western shows require any horse 5 or older to be shown in a shanked bit one-handed, so you might want to check your rule book before showing up with a horse that won't go that way.
Mine is 3 years old so I have a few years to show in a snaffle... I'm trying to think what my slow twist is....? hmmm.... maybe a D....? I'll have to look....
Do you mean an O-ring as in a loose ring, or an eggbutt? Either way, the D-ring puts more pressure on the sides of the mouth, so it assists with turning. I personally don't see too much a difference in switching from an O-ring to a D-ring in the horses I ride. If your horse is going find in whatever your current snaffle is, I would just stick with that.
In english I was between 5-8 places in my classes, usually about 12-14 in each one. I got a 4th in junior horse out of 14...ALMOST got a half a point!
In western the first day I got a 3rd in walk/jog out of 25 but of course... it's an open class and no points! I BLEW my lope classes because I'm not at the point where I can get him back w/ one hand and a port once I lose him. Wich is why I thought I'd go back to the snaffle. If I can hold him that way I can work towards using the port... I just fall completely apart at shows in the lope. (The third day I did not place out of 23 in the walk/jog)...
I have him in a slow twist but I don't think I can show western in that. It's approved for english but from what I can tell in the rule book, I don't think I can use it. This is what I bought today. I bought it next day delivery so should have it soon.
I just looked at that bit again... It is the one I ordered but I've never seen one hook in the middle like that before... is that legal? Do I have to buy another bit!!!!!
I just looked at that bit again... It is the one I ordered but I've never seen one hook in the middle like that before... is that legal? Do I have to buy another bit!!!!!
D-rings apply pressure to the opposite side of the horse's face. So you apply pressure with the left rein, the bit slides a bit and the cheek piece applies pressure to the right side of the horse's face. Same goes for full cheeks.
Loose ring snaffles (or 'o-rings') have a lot more play, in that the rings are loose to move around. Some horses like that, some don't. They have a lot less lateral influence, but you can put some bit guards on them and that can help some.
Personally, I prefer a loose ring snaffle with copper. It puts less pressure than you'd get with a D ring. I just got a used one for $18 at the tack shop. The new ones were $28.
Farmpony, the hinge in the mouthpiece looks awfully large. Is that going to be comfortable? Also, I don't think the bit you purchased is going to be functionally different from a D ring as it does not appear to be a loose ring snaffle. The O rings I like move freely, unlike the D ring snaffles.
Jenny, I have a non twist version of that bit that I use for training and sometimes ride in it as well. There is virtually no difference between a D ring and an O ring but there is a slight difference in a loose ring snaffle.
What I've been reading is that some trainers use a smooth mouth bit for training but go to the twisted mouth to "brighten" up their horse at a show. Using the twisted mouth all the time makes your horse immune to it.
...so.... If i have to show in a snaffle (if I want to ride 2-handed) then I have to practice in... a...what would be milder then a snaffle? I have a double copper roller...?
A snaffle only refers to a bit with no leverage - joined or unjoined. What some trainers are doing is to practice in a smooth mouth snaffle then use the slow twist for show - the slow twist being a little harsher.
I use a French Link D Ring on my mare and she really likes it! you might want to look into a French Link a lot of horses seem to like them.
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