The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Just starting out and need some help PLEASE

1K views 2 replies 3 participants last post by  RookieReiner 
#1 ·
I hope you all can put up with me for a while. I am just getting started in reining and have oh so many questions.

I think I will start and probably stick with AQHA shows. This is to be FUN for me and the horse and to be very honest I don't care if I ever win anything just as long as it is fun and I don't make my horse look stupid.

One thing I am having a hard time with is a bit choice. I have a seasoned vetran horse. He was trained by one of the best and then passed around for a while due to no fault of the horse. I had him shown by a trainer when I first purchased him and lets just say that did not go as well as I had hoped, so asking this person for help will not probably get me very far.

I have bought books and DVD's to try to futher my knowledge on the sport and learn some of the ques I was lacking. We are still getting things figured out so to speak but my horse is a SAINT and just takes care of me and never gets upset or impatient with me when I screw something up.

I have been riding him in just a plain old snaffle, but from what I have read since he is not a young horse I need to move him up in bits to be able to show. He rides well in a snaffle and is relaxed and responds to ques. I am leary of putting to much bit in his mouth from a previous bad experince he has had at the hands of someone else. I want the horse to stay happy and relaxed and not fret someone will rip his face off. What is the least amount of bit I can get away with in the show pen?
I could ride this horse with a string around his neck so control is not a worry.
Thank You
 
See less See more
#2 ·
There are many many bit choices out there. With showing an aged horse he will need to be in a bit. My reiners will work in any bit I put on them. Just the way there where trained. With out really knowing this horse I would start with just a 1 1/2 inch correction type bit and go from there. What it comes down to really is YOUR hands not the bit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nahvar4ever
#3 ·
What it comes down to really is YOUR hands not the bit.
Yup, nrha hit the nail on the head, what is way more important is learning to use your hands properly and no videos can teach you "feel" you need to find someone who is really experienced in reining to ride with you to help you learn feel, and REALLY soft hands

I use a medium port , most people i show with ride with a correction or medium port. you would have to ride him in a few different bits to see which he works well in, but DON'T do this till you have someone to help you
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top