Time for a bit change?

[Keket]

We backed Topaz in a single jointed d-ring snaffle. Once we started to canter her, it became painfully clear that a snaffle was not strong enough for the time being so we switched her to a jointed curb. She's been manageable in that, and now she's getting more control to her, so if she stays like this, it may be time to switch her to something lighter. I'm not ready to go back to a regular snaffle just yet, as I feel that though she's ready for something lighter, she can still be strong sometimes and something with chin and poll pressure may still be in order for now.

I'm thinking of a jointed kimberwick. A hanging cheek is a possibility too, but the two largest tack retailers I know of in Canada (Greenhawk and Apple Saddlery) don't sell hanging cheeks.

The thing is... She likes her bit. It's copper and she mouths it well and responds to it well. So should it be changed because it's stronger then she needs, even though she seems to like it? :confused:

[helenc]

why not get a snaffle with the same mouth piece & see if that works?

How long has she been working now? how long after backing did she get put into a curb bit?

[coss]

stick with a copper mouth but change to a lighter bit, i always go for the softest bit you can manage with as the horse will respond better. kimblewicks can be severe (no always!) but i think a hanging cheek would be worth a try.

[Keket]

why not get a snaffle with the same mouth piece & see if that works?

How long has she been working now? how long after backing did she get put into a curb bit?

She's been under saddle for about six months, and in the jointed curb after about two months of training, when she was strong enough to warrant using a curb.

[Keket]

stick with a copper mouth but change to a lighter bit, i always go for the softest bit you can manage with as the horse will respond better. kimblewicks can be severe (no always!) but i think a hanging cheek would be worth a try.

Like I said, I really do like the look of the hanging cheek, but you can't seem to find them in Canada. The jointed kimblewick is at the top of my list because it's the same action as the bit she's in now, just less of it. But she likes her copper mouthpiece, and I can't find a kimblewick with any copper on it. Well, no, I found one, a double jointed with a copper roller, but it's out of my price range at $38 (£16) plus shipping from the UK and whatever Canada Customs might charge me for importing it into the country.

Someone needs to start a company that will make bits exactly to your specifications. This material, this mouthpiece, etc... :rolleyes:

[KateWooten]

Choice of bits over here is pretty dreadful. I send off for mine from shop4bits which is in Ireland I think. They do offer the choice to try bits and send them back, but from here, that's not worth it. So, what I do instead is just send off for them, because they're so cheap actually, it's not really worth worrying about as long as you have an idea of what you want.

BUT - to be honest, I don't change bits. I use the bare minimum on any horse, even if he arrives clamped down in a kimberwick or whatever... it means he's bracing, resisting, and not wanting to be a full part of the partnership ... and I don't get on a horse like that. Just stay on the ground, work it out, and get back on the horse when he's ready. That's not going to work for every horse and rider, obviously, because there are cases where it would take so long to re-introduce softness from the start, that either horse or rider would be dead from old age before it happened ! But in the main, if the horse can't be ridden in a rope halter, then it can't be ridden.

I use the Fulmer French-Link on all of mine.

[coss]

Choice of bits over here is pretty dreadful. I send off for mine from shop4bits which is in Ireland I think. They do offer the choice to try bits and send them back, but from here, that's not worth it. So, what I do instead is just send off for them, because they're so cheap actually, it's not really worth worrying about as long as you have an idea of what you want.

BUT - to be honest, I don't change bits. I use the bare minimum on any horse, even if he arrives clamped down in a kimberwick or whatever... it means he's bracing, resisting, and not wanting to be a full part of the partnership ... and I don't get on a horse like that. Just stay on the ground, work it out, and get back on the horse when he's ready. That's not going to work for every horse and rider, obviously, because there are cases where it would take so long to re-introduce softness from the start, that either horse or rider would be dead from old age before it happened ! But in the main, if the horse can't be ridden in a rope halter, then it can't be ridden.

I use the Fulmer French-Link on all of mine.

Do you not find some horse don't like the fulmer? my RI has a copper d-ring snaffle that she hasn't found a horse that doesn't like it :p, the french link can sometime encourage too much "faffing" with some horses or is this just the one's i've come across?

[puzzles]

myler bits are expensive but each come on 10-day trial. they are sweet, light and aid your horse's comfort and maximises her ability torespond as well as she can to her rider as they have independant side movement, 1-2-1 advice from a professional and are sweet iron as well as hooks to make aids more precise.
i love them!

[cazrider]

That's not going to work for every horse and rider, obviously, because there are cases where it would take so long to re-introduce softness from the start, that either horse or rider would be dead from old age before it happened ! I had to smile when I read that. You should have told my first horse that. He was an ex riding school 13 year old coloured cob, who was a complete love .. with a personality. In a snaffle, he rode like there was nothing in his mouth and had no brakes whatsoever. We moved him to a straight bar ported Kimblewick, and... perfect.