[my2geldings]

I love discussion that revolve around bits because there is so much to learn about them.

The discussion I want to get started, is what are bits that you keep in your "every day" tack locker that you find is great to keep on hand hen working with horses? And why is it that you've chosen to keep it in your daily/regular use bin? Maybe mention what discipline(s) you're into.

 

[BlindHorseEnthusiast4582]

I know a lot of people have mentioned they like to keep an eggbutt or some other type of simple snaffle around to fixing training holes

 

[tinyliny]

something like this:

and this:

and maybe this:

 

[tinyliny]

sorry, meant to get this one in, too:

 

[AnitaAnne]

My go-to bit that works on every horse I have ever had or ever tried it on is a double jointed bean snaffle, especially preferred is the German silver or copper mouth style.

Like this:

http://www.dressageextensions.com/16mm-soft-mouth-snaffle/p/13302/

 

[thecolorcoal]

Question: why would a horse choose a double jointed over a single jointed, barring mouth conformation?

 

[AnitaAnne]

My go-to bit that works on every horse I have ever had or ever tried it on is a double jointed bean snaffle, especially preferred is the German silver or copper mouth style.

Like this:

http://www.dressageextensions.com/16mm-soft-mouth-snaffle/p/13302/

Just wanted to add I like this bit so much and the way horses are so soft and accepting of it.

Tossed out or gave away every other kind of bit I had!

 

[mmshiro]

Question: why would a horse choose a double jointed over a single jointed, barring mouth conformation?

When you pull the reins, there is less of a pinching action (nutcracker effect) with a double-jointed because of the positive width of the middle piece. Just take either bit, put your finger in the middle, and squeeze the outer parts together...

 

[Mulefeather]

Question: why would a horse choose a double jointed over a single jointed, barring mouth conformation?

Some horses, especially breeds known to have a low palate, don't like or tolerate the nutcracker action of a single-jointed snaffle well. It's also a popular bit for people who are training a young horse.

I took some of my first driving lessons with a lovely lady in her 80's, who had shown Morgans all over the country for 40-plus years. She preferred a French Link snaffle above all for her driving horses.

 

[thecolorcoal]

I'm sorry, i typed the reverse of what I was thinking:

I'd really like to know why a horse would choose a single jointed over a double jointed. my horse will not seek contact in a single joint, just a double joint. I guess for a certain rider this is a benefit instead of a drawback?

 

[COWCHICK77]

These are my everyday bridles.

 

[tinyliny]

From what I remember, a single jointed bit acts more on the bars of the mouth, whereas a double jointed, more similar to putting a rope or a piece of leather throught the mouth, acts more on the tongue.

Horses have indvidual preferences. all snaffles are meant to have the gentlest and clearest communication when the position of the horse's head means that any pull on the bit makes the bit pull back agains the corners of the horse's mouth; his lips, before it makes a harsher contact with the bars or tongue.

I don't know why, by my experience matches the others in that every hrose I've ridden prefers a nice double jointed bit, with a lozenge shape in the middle.

 

[thecolorcoal]

Thanks tiny
@COWCHICK77, how do you like the lifesaver bit with the copper disks?

 

[Knave]

In my collection I have only three bits (of course some doubles of bits for the kids and my husband also has each). I use a loose ring snaffle, a shank snaffle, and a curb bit with a roller.

My husband also uses a hackamore. I haven’t myself, but I think it’s a good one to have too.

 

[Smilie]

Question: why would a horse choose a double jointed over a single jointed, barring mouth conformation?

Horses ridden on contact do well in double jointed bits, and why they are more common in an English riding program
The basic bit in which young horses are started, western, is a single jointed snaffle
There is also the common practice to use one wrinkle, English, while good western training programs work at teaching that horse to carry the bit

Many give the single jointed snaffle a nut cracker effect, but that one happens if you use more hands then they are intended to have used, or, using both reins equally,pulling straight back

That does not mean if someone wants to use a double jointed snaffle, western it is wrong, just explaining as to why many great training programs get along great with a well made single jointed snaffle

 

[COWCHICK77]

Thanks tiny

@COWCHICK77, how do you like the lifesaver bit with the copper disks?

The horses I've been using it on seem to really like it.
I have another similar to it without the copper rings in the lifesaver and it also doesn't have the sleeves on the rings, I think horses like the one pictured better. Probably for the simple fact it may not pinch the corners of the mouth. Not sure if the copper rings make a difference?

 

[phantomhorse13]

all snaffles are meant to have the gentlest and clearest communication

Not sure I agree when bits like the following snaffles are readily available:

Being a snaffle simply means there is no leverage - what the mouthpiece is (and the rider's hands of course) determines how gentle or harsh it is.


Personally, I don't do much riding in bits any more as our endurance horses go in s-hacks. However, when someone needs a tune-up, a loose-ring copper-mouth french link snaffle with a lozenge is my go-to bit.

When I was working with a lot of off-track horses, my go-to was a french link elevator, with two reins (always nice to have an emergency brake, just in case):

 

[thecolorcoal]

First bit is a mule bit, second bit is a double twisted wire, third bit is a double jointed happy mouth dutch gag/elevator. testing my knowledge!

The first two bits are well-known pain inducing bits and only, IMO, a desperate fool would use them...

Yes I know, only as harsh as the hands using them....

 

[Kaifyre]

Meh I've used the double twisted wire snaffle on a horse that had no respect for anything in his mouth and would pull through even a one rein stop. I had to ride him in that a few times to wake him up and get him started on listening not bulling through the pressure. After 4 rides I think, I moved him down to a slow twisted D ring snaffle, then to a smooth D ring snaffle. Eventually you could ride him in anything and he was a lovely horse, I just had to get through to him in the beginning. So I do think that sort of bit has A purpose, even if it's not one that's widely used - I've never needed a bit that severe on any horse since, and that was nearly a decade ago.

My go to bits (hard to just pick a few from amongst my 29 bridles lol) are a sweet iron D ring snaffle, short shank (or teardrop shank) sweet iron snaffle, and a medium port sweet iron curb with swivel shanks. I have one or two copper bits for those horses who don't like sweet iron but I've found that most horses prefer the taste of sweet iron over that of copper. Of course I have a huge selection of bits ... several different types of snaffles, short shank snaffles, long shank snaffles, shanked bits with rollers, shanked mullen mouth bits, high port corrections, low port curbs, hackamores, etc etc etc. My horsey friends all know who to borrow a bridle from when theirs breaks! : )

-- Kai

 

[tinyliny]

@phantomhorse13 I take some umbrage to your quoting of me.

it's not fair to quote me without showing the entire sentence.
your quote makes my point sound entirely different from what I actually said . . .

this is what I actually said:

all snaffles are meant to have the gentlest and clearest communication when the position of the horse's head means that any pull on the bit makes the bit pull back agains the corners of the horse's mouth; his lips, before it makes a harsher contact with the bars or tongue.