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what is the kindest english style bit?

6.5K views 15 replies 11 participants last post by  Ripplewind  
#1 ·
I am struggling to get my horse to steer. She's been unridden for 4 years I believe. What is the kindest bit she could have? And rubber or metal?
I eventually want to go onto bitless riding which I have been trying but she isn't listening to me and have been advised to bit her for a year or so to get her back into riding.

Thanks
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#7 ·
I was using a single jointed eggbutt, and my mare really did not like it. She works wonderfully in a halter so I wanted something that was more mild in the mouth and had a full cheek. I went to the store with the intention of getting a french link full check, but came out with this:

Image

It's nice and smooth where her lips and gums would be but there are three Jointed copper rollers over her tongue. She is very mouthy normally so the rollers are great because they keep her salivating and happy cause she can play with them :) To me this is a very mild bit, it's a Metalab Pessoa full cheek bit with copper rollers.
 
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#8 ·
A bit is as gentle as the hands that hold the reins. Also, horse preferences :) Some like some over others.

I use this bit on my very sensitive mare: Happy Mouth Shaped Mullen Eggbutt - Eggbutt Snaffles from SmartPak Equine

But another sensitive mare I ride does not like the happy mouth material, her favorite bit is this: French Link Boucher Snaffle Bit (15mm) (funniest thing about my boucher, is I sold it to a friend a few years ago, found an identical one at a local tack swap last fall and bought it with this mare in mind, ran into that friend at check out and she had sold it there, haha so I have my original bit back!)

My gelding goes in this: Herm Sprenger KK Ultra Aurigan Loose Ring - 16mm - Loose Ring Snaffles from SmartPak Equine

All are very mild bits.
 
#9 ·
Hey, thanks for all your replys!! Have looked into them all and read up. Going to long line my horse bitless again and if nt might look into getting the Metalab Pessoa full cheek bit with copper rollers although can't find it in england but will have a better look. Will let u know what happens!!

Thanks!
Tegan + molly
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#10 ·
Bits are not kind or rough -- hands are.

Effective riders with educated hands can ride most horses in about any bit that is comfortable in that horses mouth.

I would hook up with a trainer for a few lessons on your horse and plan ahead for the trainer to help you with trying out different bits. [Every trainer has a wall in their tack room that looks like a store.] Let an educated effective rider help you determine if the problem is the bit (doubtful) or the technique of the rider. Chances are very good that it is rider error with poor hands (not quiet enough), poor balance (hands assist in balance) or poor timing (wrong time for contact and improper release for the right thing). What a horse does is usually a direct result (or a reflection - if you will) of the rider.
 
#13 ·
I would reccomend a simple egbutt french link snaffle as being one of the mildest bits, but it does all depend on the conformation of your horses mouth.

Some horses very much like a single jointed snaffle, some find it torture perticularly those with low palettes where the single joint can stab the roof of the mouth, or those with perticularly fleshy toungues where single joints can trap and pinch the tongue.

whilst it is true that it is the hands that cause severity in the horses mouth some bits generaly are designed to be gentler, have less of a pinching effect, to spread the pressure over a greater area, to prevent a nutcracker action and to have a less sharp action.
 
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#14 ·
Katee- looked at the website. Blimey that person has done their research! Haha looks good will read properly tomoz! Had a trainer in today and he says we're going to try bitless again as he watched her go round and said she's too sensitive? So we'll give that ago, fingers crossed :D
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