Bit troubles.
 

Okay, so I am sort of clueless about bits. This is what I WANT to end up with: A mild bit that can generally be used for trail riding and lower level cow work/play days.

What I have now are a few different bits and I have a few problems with each.

On my bay horse, I use a Tom Thumb. She was trained in it, responds to it and I never really even have to touch it because she kneck reins so well. I know it's a harsh bit, but I'm not really looking to change it because it works for her and like I said, I never really put pressure on it. For long trail rides, I can easily ride this horse in a halter.

My grey horse has been ridden in a plethora of bits before I got her, and I realized she responds best to a hackamore. But, I would like some more control in her mouth. Right now I use an egg butt snaffle. I am in the process of teaching her to neck rein and right now she will about 80% of the time, so a direct rein bit isn't a necessity... but I want something I can neck rein with. The egg butt slides through her mouth if I ever direct rein

Which leads me to a question: Can I put a chain or leather strap under her chin on a snaffle to keep it centered?? I feel like that would work so much better.

My third horse is my new horse that rides in a snaffle as well, but she only direct reins and I want to teach her to kneck rein.

I teach them with spurs and it works well. I put the rein on their neck, then give leg pressure, then spur. After a few weeks, they will turn on the neck rein and leg pressure alone.

I have never used a bit to train for neck reining because I'm not sure which would work best.
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You should ask COWCHICK She knows a lot about bits

COWCHICK77 Sorry I got the name wrong, but she could help you :)

you absolutey CAN put a chin strap on the snaffle bit rings to keep the whole mouthpiece, and rings, from sliding too much.

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/i...umzAGIijtBWiza


Just be sure that it's in FRONT of where your reins wrap around the bit ring, not behind them. (if behind, it would interfere with the rein to bit contact)

Do you not use a curb chain or band when you ride your horse? I think it's called a chin strap too.

I use one with the Tom Thumb, it's a chain. But not with the snaffle.
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I'd get yourself one for the snaffle it will stabilize it and keep it from sliding around. They have flat leather ones you can buy if you don't want to use a chain curb. I've always had both depending on what the horse needs. Like my hackemore for my gelding has a chain but my mares snaffle just has a flat leather curb.

Are you using a western headstall? You could put a leather or chain curb strap on the bit.

Yes I'm using a western head stall, and I will get a leather piece to go with the bit today:)
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Leading toward what BornToRun has said, I also saw in a couple of the tack stores I shop at, had a BEDAZZLED chin strap! O.o whaaaaat? lol it was soooo cool! but then again, it was worthe a lot of money :P