Horses!

[Farmgirl283420]

Yeah, when I got my first horse my trainers all tried to get me to use different bits, saddle pads, saddles, etc. Sometimes though you have to just figure out what works for you and your horse, people can be quick to say one thing is right or wrong sometimes

Yes it’s all very confusing! Everyone says something different it can make it hard to learn what’s actually true.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

What is your opinions on bits? Which bits do you like and why? Has anyone used a bridle that doesn’t use a bit? What are you opinions on those? And does anyone recommend any books on bits?

I think both bits and bitless bridles for the most part are as harsh as the hands that are using them. A simple snaffle can pop a horses mouth like a nutcracker with hard hands and a bitless bridle can damage a horses nasal bones with too much force. The fit is also just as important and your horses mouth size/shape. Is your horses mouth small, normal or large? Is their palate low? Normal? Is it high? Different bits use different types of pressure and depending on how your horses mouth is one type might be more comfortable ergonomically speaking. In my mind the best bit is the one that my horse is most comfortable in. If you watch your horses body language they will tell you what they like. I have seen a horse go from “hot” to calm simply because they went from poor fitting tack that was causing pain to properly fitted tack allowing the horse to move with ease and without pain. A bitless bridles fit is extremely important as well. The noseband being just 1 inch too low can cause damage simply because the pressure is in the wrong spot. I don’t have any book recommendations, but this is a good study done on bitless bridles that goes to show that they have the same potential to injure and cause pain as a bit in the wrong hands. Also to clarify I am not pro or against bits or bit less. I have had horses that did the best in a Dr. Cooks or a simple hack more. I have horses who prefer a curb and some who just like to keep it simple with a French link snaffle. Like I said above I go with what the horse prefers and sometimes that means trying out multiple bits or bridles until you find what they like best.
https://www.researchgate.net/public..._bridles_and_the_effects_on_equine_locomotion

Edit: If I had to choose one bit my favorite is probably a Myler Comfort Snaffle. My favorite bitless would be both the English and western dr. Cooks.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Interesting!!!!!

 

[Themellowyellows]

What is your opinions on bits? Which bits do you like and why? Has anyone used a bridle that doesn’t use a bit? What are you opinions on those? And does anyone recommend any books on bits?

It depends how you use a bit... If bit snaffle, but I always aim for no bits... I recommend "the spirited boutique equestrian" bitless bridal. There are some options but there all great! They give you so much contact with your horse there absolutely phenomenal! There also very stylish!

 

[Farmgirl283420]

Interesting!!!!!

Definitely!

 

[Farmgirl283420]

I think both bits and bitless bridles for the most part are as harsh as the hands that are using them. A simple snaffle can pop a horses mouth like a nutcracker with hard hands and a bitless bridle can damage a horses nasal bones with too much force. The fit is also just as important and your horses mouth size/shape. Is your horses mouth small, normal or large? Is their palate low? Normal? Is it high? Different bits use different types of pressure and depending on how your horses mouth is one type might be more comfortable ergonomically speaking. In my mind the best bit is the one that my horse is most comfortable in. If you watch your horses body language they will tell you what they like. I have seen a horse go from “hot” to calm simply because they went from poor fitting tack that was causing pain to properly fitted tack allowing the horse to move with ease and without pain. A bitless bridles fit is extremely important as well. The noseband being just 1 inch too low can cause damage simply because the pressure is in the wrong spot. I don’t have any book recommendations, but this is a good study done on bitless bridles that goes to show that they have the same potential to injure and cause pain as a bit in the wrong hands. Also to clarify I am not pro or against bits or bit less. I have had horses that did the best in a Dr. Cooks or a simple hack more. I have horses who prefer a curb and some who just like to keep it simple with a French link snaffle. Like I said above I go with what the horse prefers and sometimes that means trying out multiple bits or bridles until you find what they like best.
https://www.researchgate.net/public..._bridles_and_the_effects_on_equine_locomotion

Edit: If I had to choose one bit my favorite is probably a Myler Comfort Snaffle. My favorite bitless would be both the English and western dr. Cooks.

Thanks! I should probably just aim for riding with no bridle and bareback

It depends how you use a bit... If bit snaffle, but I always aim for no bits... I recommend "the spirited boutique equestrian" bitless bridal. There are some options but there all great! They give you so much contact with your horse there absolutely phenomenal! There also very stylish!

I’ll look into it!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

My hoof nippers and rasp arrived today! I was standing in the kitchen saying “wooowee! These are so smooth and are going to cut like butter!” My husband walked out and said “I was wondering what in the world you were getting excited about and here it’s a pair of hoof nippers…” hey some girls like jewelry and others are happy with a nice pair of nippers I am so excited to try these out!

 

[Themellowyellows]

Thanks! I should probably just aim for riding with no bridle and bareback

I’ll look into it!

Lol! You should! Its a small business but its really good!

 

[ILoveDaffy]

Personally, I like to go as basic as possible. Max is basically getting rebuilt from the hooves up, so I'm riding bareback in a halter, and will move up eventually to a well fitting saddle and maybe a bit, but hey, why complicate things further when what I have is working?

 

[Farmgirl283420]

Personally, I like to go as basic as possible. Max is basically getting rebuilt from the hooves up, so I'm riding bareback in a halter, and will move up eventually to a well fitting saddle and maybe a bit, but hey, why complicate things further when what I have is working?

I agree! Hopefully soon I can have my own horse in the mean time I am studying so I can be prepared!