yet another bit question

[K&K]

:rolleyes:

i have another question about bits, if you don't mind! thanks to everyone who puts up with my need for endless advice!
my new horse is used to be ridden in a western saddle but doesn't neck rein, instead she reins two-handed and is used to little contact with a loose ring snaffle bit.

i want to eventually teach her to neck rein, but when she does learn, do i have to switch to another bit? it would be handy to just keep the same bit when i'm riding western or english ( i plan to eventually have an english saddle also ) but i only want what's best for her.

can you ride one-handed with a snaffle?

thank you sooooo much! :D

[MadWoman]

I don't know much about Western, but I certainly ride one-handed and neck rein (English) all the time in a snaffle, kimblewick, whatever the horse happens to be wearing. I do battle re-enacment, so we have to neck rein at speed using whatever tack is on the horse I'm given, and have never had a problem.

[Katie_85]

Sure you can neck rein with a snaffle. Most Western riders who compete or do serious level riding have their horses in some sort of curb, but whatever bit the horse is used to will work. :)

[Danae]

In Western Pleasure on the higher levels, you can only use one hand. Right now since I'm still in the novice classes, I'm riding two handed. I'm trying to switch to one handed so it will be easier when (and if LOL) I go to the more experienced levels of W/P.

Sometimes I catch myself neck reining just from my old trail riding days and Hopi responds without any problem. She has been trained to neck rein, voice command, and pushing away from leg pressure. I don't imagine you would need to change bits.

[Showjumper]

I rarely hold the reins in two hands - except when galloping or jumping. And I ride English - at the moment. I must prefer holding the reins in one hand and using weight aids. I've not had many horses who didn't understand that.

[FRED]

Hello Showjumper,
on the Ray Hunt web site you can download video clip of him turning young horse simply with weight aid.
I would not be surprissed if most horse would easily respond to weight aids.
I think its a shame that many instructors don't teach this. I think it would be a good training exercise in early lessons too.
I have experimented at walk and horses have always turned where I want.
Fred.
ps:be careful if you experiment quick trotting with reins in one hand out side school,unless you have wide path etc and horse is used to this. I have never crossed the reins when trotting with them in one hand and horse is in snaffle bit,but I have read that riders do recomend that you do this,?.
Fred.

[Pintaloosa]

When showing western pleasure if your using a snaffle or a bosal I believe you have to use two hands. If your riding with a shank bit you have to use one hand. For schooling purposes you can do what works best. I usually school with a snaffle and switch to a shank bit a week or two before a show and show in the shank bit. It's all a matter of what works best for you and your horse.