I want to get a new bit for my TWH/RH mare, Vannah.  Believe it or not, the bit I have is the same one that has followed this girl through three owners (I'm the third owner) and Vannah is going on 14.  It is a loose ring mullen mouth bit, and not only does Vannah pretty much ignore it, I am convinced she despises it. Heck, if I were a horse I guess I would too, with that piece of heavy metal sitting on my mouth bars.  I was thinking of switching to either a plain jointed snaffle or one of those three-piece snaffles.  Any thoughts - what do ya'll use on your gaited horses?

Note: Vannah has, well, a very large head and needs at least a 5 1/2" bit. (Her nickname is Miss Bighead, LOL)

My saddlebred would ignore bits it didnt matter what it was.I switched him to a bossal and what would ya know he rode so much better. I love bossals,but for another bit maybe a tomthumb or a plain snaffle.

Do they make bossals in enormous head size? LOL! If so, it may be worth a look. I don't really care for tomthumb bits, and was leaning more towards a snaffle. I might head over to the tack shop this weekend to see what they have in stock.

Bossals are made pretty big. I think 16" around the nose ,but after you put the reins on it takes it down. My saddlebred had a big head it fit him fine.

You have probably been to the tack shop by the time you read my post - lol lol

Others may come in with different ideas, but:

Once you've established that her teeth are in good shape and not getting in the way of a bit, you might try a very low port curb bit (maybe even a copper mouthpiece to create saliva), with longer shanks, and a chain chin strap.

A wise Elder Amishman got me started on long-shanked Walking Horse bits nearly 40 years ago, long before I ever owned a gaited horse.  He taught me how to stay exceptionally light on the reins and to stay out of the horse's mouth.

The longer the shanks, the lighter the hands you need because those shanks act as leverage.

My "Rodak Powered" TWH is 20 and still needs those 8" shanks I've worn on him for 17 years.  He is a step-pacer, and I retired him, unbeaten, from neighborhood gaiting races when he was 18.   While that huge motor of his wears out quicker these days, I still need those 8" shanks to keep his little self slowed down.

I could've taught him not to be so goey, but his personality suits mine to a tee.   I like him "up" and rearin' to go, even if it only last the first 20 minutes out these days

I have a 12 yo TWH that only has 6" shanks and also the same very low port the 20 yo wears.  He's a lot more laid back than my 20 yo.

I have a 13 yo TWH that has ridden in a mechanical hackamore since the day I bought him 11 years ago.  His previous owner said he refused to carry any kind of bit and would perform well with the hackamore.   He's my get down and dirty, take-on-the-cliffhangar trails, so speed and control isn't an issue.

If you are planning on doing any kind of speed racking, a bit would be bettter than a bosal, hackamore, or any of the other bitless type bridles.

You just have to remember to have very light hands with those long shanks.

That all being said, it also depends if you want to show and what disciplines you would show in.   They may have bit rules.  I dunno because showing isn't my thing.  I like to watch and try to keep up with the "Who's Who" in the TWH and SSH industries, but that's as far as it goes - lol

WTW, I had so much fun with the horses this afternoon that I never made it to the tack shop ! I don't plan on doing any showing or speed racking with Vannah, just plain riding for the fun of it. Plus I doubt that I could get Vannah to speed rack even if I lit a fire under her butt, LOL! Her main speed is mosey-along! I do actually have an Imus Comfort Gait bit on one of my two bridles, and yes, I do use it with a curb chain as well.  Vannah actually does pretty well with that, so perhaps I'll just find another one.

I doubt I could show Vannah even if I wanted to since she's not registerable with the TWHBEA.  Her dam is registered with the TWHBEA and the RHBAA, but her sire is an unknown TWH. The story is Lady Savannah was field bred by a red roan stud in the adjoining field. Eleven months later along came Vannah   She's a sweet girl, but can be as stubborn as a mule sometimes (if she thinks she can get away with it).

Interesting that you're asking this right now. I just asked Minx's breeder about switching from a curb to a snaffle. She didn't recommend it. She said that if you really know what you're doing and work really hard at it, you can get a nice gait using a snaffle. But they tend to throw out their heads and hollow their backs in a snaffle. I use a mylar curb that Minx does well with.

I second WTW's opinion on the importance of light hands. One of the cues I use to gait Minx out is to shorten the reins. I can do it very lightly and her head comes up and in and she takes off.

Thanks for the second, LL.  My Imus Comfort Gait bit does have curb action, especially when used with the curb strap. I'll be watching out for a used Comfort Gait, as I can't justify spending $60 on a new bit right now when I have to buy hay. Plus I can just use the bridle the CG bit is on (pain in the tookas switching back and forth). Everyone is right about having light hands, Vannah always lets me know if I forget, LOL!

National Bridle had them on sale, so I decided to go ahead and order one for Vannah.  And when I called them to order I got the last one

Cool! Dontcha love getting a deal.

LuckyLady:

Cool! Dontcha love getting a deal.

Golly, yes I was also watching a used comfort gait bit on eBay, which is now almost up to the sale price of the new one. Some little voice told me not to wait for the auction, and to order the new one instead. Now I'm awfully glad I listened -  from past experience that little voice of mine is often right

blueyedhorse...I wanted to comment on you saying that you can't register Vannah...

You don't have to have her registered to show in most local fun shows. You might give that a try.

I was a life-long trail rider, and just started showing a little over a year ago. I enjoy it because it really makes me "pay attention" to my riding. You have to be very specific with your cues...and light with your hands. Where as, when I'm out on the trail with my friends sometimes, that's not always what is on my mind. Do you know what I mean? Also, getting prepared for a show "forces" you to work with your horse more because you are striving to do well.

 I will show again next year...maybe moving to higher level shows...that's how much I have enjoyed it.

ROFL! Yes, I think I know what you mean, saddle up_horse!  When I'm riding with friends I tend to pay less attention to what I'm doing with my riding while I'm flapping my yap   A couple winters ago I was riding and not paying attention and Vannah LAY DOWN in the snow with me in the saddle. Fortunately she then remembered that I was up there and stood back up without taking her intended roll - lucky for me as I couldn't get off because my right foot was pinned under her ribs.  Not paying attention, BAD....

I'll have to keep an eye out for any fun shows around here that grown ups can participate in. I will also have to find a trailer buddy, as I don't have a truck or trailer right now. (Every time I see a horse trailer going down the road I often say "Oooh, that's a nice trailer!")  Financial prohibition just stinks 

You wouldn't believe the freedom that a horse trailer provides.

I would start with a 2 horse stock trailer. They are so versatile. You can always move up later on. I started with a dumpy old 2 horse straight load that a tree had fallen on...so it wasn't pretty! I beat the dents back out and it served my purpose for 10 years! You can easily pull something like that with a half ton truck and still be safe. I would make sure that the trailer brakes are in good working condition. I went everywhere with that rig and had a blast doing it!

You'll get there! Keep striving for your dreams and you'll get there!

saddle up_horse:

You wouldn't believe the freedom that a horse trailer provides.

I would start with a 2 horse stock trailer. They are so versatile. You can always move up later on. I started with a dumpy old 2 horse straight load that a tree had fallen on...so it wasn't pretty! I beat the dents back out and it served my purpose for 10 years! You can easily pull something like that with a half ton truck and still be safe. I would make sure that the trailer brakes are in good working condition. I went everywhere with that rig and had a blast doing it!

You'll get there! Keep striving for your dreams and you'll get there!

Your first trailer had been smooshed by a tree? I bet the price was right, LOL!  And who cares if it wasn't pretty as long as it was structurally sound and got the job done.  I have been mostly looking at stock trailers since the price is normally lower than the traditional horse trailers. Plus, they also tend to be tall enough for a 16 hand horse to stand in w/o having to tie her head down, LOL. Once I have my car paid off and one other financial obligation taken care of I can start looking seriously for a truck and trailer. Until then, I will window shop and dream!