Western bits

Hi everybody,

I'm not a very experienced western rider but I'm trying to learn

I have a couple of questions about western bits. My paint horse is being ridden with a Pelham bit, like an English Pelham but used as a shank bit (the previous owner advised me to use it). But in some way I think she is not so comfortable with this bit, and as I have an Argentinian bit lying about, I thought of trying it on her.

Her tongue is quite large and the Argentinian is thinner than the Pelham, so maybe that would leave more space for her tongue. At the same time I don't want to use a severe bit (my dream would be to ride her bitless but we'll have to try that when we get an arena). Is the Argentinian bit severe? (I know that it all comes up to the hands of the rider, and I'm the kind of rider that tries to be very gentle and leave the horse's mouth alone). Or would it be better to use a snaffle? She's fine with neck reining (and so am I).

Could anyone tell me something about side-pulls? Good/bad experiences.

She is very calm but as we are mostly trail riding, I would like to have a sure "brake", just in case...

I would just try the snaffle and see how it goes, since it's your goal to have her in kind bit/bridle. You never know, you said she doesn't like them pelham, so maybe she'd do well in a regular snaffle?

Could you post a pic of an argentinian bit? I'm not familiar with them.

Hi there,

this is the kind of bit I have. I THINK its called an Argentinian, at least that's what I've been reading (been googling a lot )

I am actually considering a snaffle as you say, but don't you think she'll get confused when used to a curb bit? And what about snaffle/neck reining?

Forgive me my ignorance

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If you can use a snaffle then by all means use a snaffle!

I'd give anything to ride Sunny in a snaffle :/

That bit you have shown is made to be ridden with 4 reins. So it is like a tad harsher version of pelham, only western style. At least IMO.

Snaffles aren't made to be neckreined, so it'd be best to stick with direct reining *if you can* but it isn't a sin to neckrein one, lol.

Well, I kind of sensed that this Argentinian (or whatever it's called) bit would be severe Out of the question, then!

So I think I'll try with a nice and simple snaffle. She was trained with a bosal (or so the previous owner told me), so I don't know if she's ever tried a snaffle. But if I just keep cueing her with legs and weight, then I'll have to try to figure out if the snaffle works with the neck reining. It kind of fells like going back, I mean, usually people go from snaffle to curb, but maybe it's just because it's not allowed to show adult horses in snaffles.

Thank you both!

I use a JP Korsteel full cheek snaffle and yes we are teaching neck reining with it.

I'm sure she'll adjust fine :)

Rubbish :]

I ride both my horses in snaffles and both neckrein.

In MG you aren't allowed curb bits, and you spend 99% of the time carrying something, so you have to neck rein one handed.

Snaffles are FINE for neck reining. Neck reining is the pressure of the rein on the NECK, it doesn't have much to do with the bit at all.

^+1 on that, ever heard of the snaffle bit fururity, or reined cow horse compations National Reined Cow Horse Association - NRCHA - National Reined Cow Horse Association , and National Snaffle Bit Association - Home

And I only ride with a snaffle bit and with Hercules, I can do some reining too. and at a level were i can compete with him but he can do it too.

I know you *can* neckrein in one, but I've always been told they aren't meant for it and give wrong signals.