What bit do you use?

I'm thinking of training a big Hanoverian gelding. I know he is a bit evasive and is ridden in a pelham, but I definitely want to get all of that metal out of his mouth and put him in a  snaffle, because he doesn't need a pelham... I can't seem to find my loose ring snaffle which I would love to find. I have a corkscrew D ring, a full cheek snaffle, and some harsher bits like elevator, kimberwick, pelham etc. I really want to find my loose ring! Darn. I'll find it, hopefully.

 

Anyway, what bits do you use? What do you think about the severity of a corkscrew D ring?  Love to hear what you think :)

I use snaffles. They are all different sizes depending on the horse. The two most severe I use is a small sweet iron, and a twisted d-ring. I only use that on a mare who tries to grab one side of the bit. The severity depends on how tight the twist is on the snaffle. As for which bit you would use, as a coach or someone at a local tack shop. They know their stuff when it comes to which bit to use. I hope this helps .

Of the inventory you have listed, I would use the full cheek until you find or get another loose ring snaffle. 

Try him in  the full cheek snaffle.  It limits the side pull through the mouth so it is harder to evade, but is still a gentle bit.  Be sure to use the bit keepers; I keep seeing people without - I'm sure there must be a reason, I just don't know what it is.  Go slow.  This will probably be a HUGE change for him and his reaction...?

I have an American Warmblood mare and I use two different bits on her. For Dressage and jumping in the arena, I use a Baucher snaffle. I love how she works in it and she loves it as well. For cross country and out side the arena riding, I use a 3 ring elevator. This is actually her favorite bit and she works so well in it. As far as a corkscrew D ring goes, I don't have a problem with using a severe bit as long as the horse really needs it and the rider is capable of using one properly. Good luck!!

I really just want to move him out of a pelham and into a simple snaffle, but I don't want it to pinch him. My full-cheek will definitely be too small.... Loose ring snaffles are known to pinch though. Any other suggestions? I have a corkscrew D ring, but it is a little harsh, but I have soft hands. Would that be an option?

 

(I know you have not seen my horse ride in any bit! :) I know a lot about bits, but I always welcome advice or ideas. Thanks!) Also, if you have any mouthpiece or cheekpiece ideas that you have had luck with, let me know, I'm willing to try anything. Thanks! 

This is also an option.

What about this?

http://www.statelinetack.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=SLT732699

 

Have you had any experience with any other bits that you want to suggest? :) Thanks so much. 

 

 

  

 

I use a thin loose ring when riding Ronnie (he hates the fat bits) and a medium-thin loose ring for Wasabi.

I'm sure that your big guy would appreciate the full cheek verses the pelham. Make sure that it fits his mouth. I was surprised to learn how the size dramactically affects the horse's comfort. Wasabi wears a 4 3/4, I had him in 5in and he was mouthy. 

A friend of mine's Warmblood wears a 6!

hunterundersaddle:

I definitely want to get all of that metal out of his mouth

Anyway, what bits do you use? What do you think about the severity of a corkscrew D ring?  Love to hear what you think :)

I use a pelham a lot, I like the way my horses go in them.  In the 50's and 60's when I was learning, they were used frequently and most young riders learned how to use them effectively.  I like the fact that I can use the snaffle very softly, but still have the curb for when I need a bit more authority (extra brakes, for instance). The curb can and should be used softly too.  I do insist on only the type with a solid mouthpiece, though.  If you use the curb rein of a pelham with a jointed mouthpiece, and the reins are the tiniest bit uneven, you subject your horse to a nutcracker action vastly magnified by the leverage of the shank.  We're all subject to human error. 

What do you mean when you say "get all of that metal out of his mouth"?  I've never seen a pelham that has any more metal in the mouthpiece than a snaffle has, so I don't understand.

As far as the severity of a corkscrew D ring (that's what's often called a slow twist, right), I've never liked them.  No matter how softly you use your hands the edge of the twists are going to bite into the horse's bars.  They're designed to!  A pelham with a solid mouthpiece is going to be much less severe. 

You might try riding him in the pelham and tying up the curb rein for a little while.  That will be like riding him in a snaffle and should give you a feel for how he's going to go in it, while preserving your option to pick up the curb again if you need it.  You may be surprised at how he goes, and gratefull to have the curb rein available.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

 MaryM43