Re: Bits, bits, bits and why

 I don;t know if I have a favourite bit really.. My horse is in a training lozenge because he seems to like it. He is not especially strong, but seems to dislike a single joint. Sometimes I use a rubber snaffle, but as I say, he dislikes a single joint. I think the bit he is in is pretty gentle.

I would say a twisted mouthpiece with a Dr Bristol, or a chain mouthpiece are probably among the most severe.

That said, a bit is only as soft or severe as the hands on the ends of the reins.

Re: Bits, bits, bits and why

i personally dont have a favourite bit neither do i hate any bit, they ALL have their uses and since all of our horses are different it is wonderful that their are bits to suit any horse or not as the case may be with the range of hackamores and bitless bridles avaliable. i do however have a problem with bits being used wrongly, a newest trend something which was discussed on here a while back is when people use the weymouth piece of the double bridle on its own on the low ring, i also haven't had any good experiences with roundings, although appriciate some people have, although none of the horses we've had have ever gone better in the roudings i wouldnt not try it on another horse, bitting is trial and error, you shouldnt rule one out for a certain horse because it didnt work on another one.

favourite bit - whatever one my horse goes best in :) copper loose ring snaffle with a losenge (pictured)at the moment, i also could give glowing reviews on the wilkie snaffle, its a wonderful little bit which is so versatile, and have had majorly good experience with the sweetiron tom thumb (pictured) i woudlnt reccomend it for flatowork use unless you wanted to use two reins with it which i've never seen before but could be an option, however on my last two horses who were 'enthusiastic'to say the least when it came to jumping it worked amazingly, taught them to respect my aids and it was easy to hold them in it no fighting and a plesant experience for all :) the copper rollers also give them somethign to play with to encourage salvation, the sweetiron is also warm in their mouth, in the wrong hands though, this bit could be a problem for some horses due to the poll pressure.

cant comment on the softest/harshest bits as bits are only as strong as the hands using them although some bits which could be dangerous in the wrong hands cheltnam(pictured)/dutch gag and although its not a bit technically english and german hackamores can be seriously dangerous if used in correctly, however anybit has the capacity to be dangerous if used in the wrong situation, on the wrong horse in the wrong hands

below are a couple of pictures mentioned above

Re: Bits, bits, bits and why

I'm new to the world of bits and horse ownership and my horse came with a 3 ring continental gag..had never seen one before. He's very strong when cantering and have been advised to try an extra rein to assist me when required, i plan to try this plus some schooling to get him listening to his new rider! I agree that it is all dependant on the riders hands as to how severe a bit is. 

Re: Bits, bits, bits and why

rhapsody said:

 Even a silk thread can be pure torture if used inappropriately.  

------ End Quote ------

:) true again!!

Re: Bits, bits, bits and why

 i think most horses dont like the nutcracker action!!!