Chifney bits

[triana411]

I have worked with horses for many years and have never needed to use a chifney but im starting a new job and have been advised to use one for 2 of the horses, so therefore i have no idea how to use one but i would like to know how to use one as a very very last resort would be very pleased if someone out there could help me out thanks
Lynne :confused:

[mayoguinness]

Oh and just to add, I'd like to know what one is?? :confused:

[Daffy Dilly]

Basically, it's an anti rear bit, used for inhand, and also with strong or bolshy horses to give the handler more control.

http://www.shop4bits.com/item--Chifney-Anti-Rearing-Bit--chifney-anti-rearing-bit.html

It can be very very severe though, and it is most definately not advisable to yank down on it at any point.

[triana411]

Thanks for your reply Daffy Dilly................ i do understand what its used for but i know this sounds silly as i have worked with horses most of my life .................but im not sure which way round it goes ...does the ring go at the front or the back ?

[eml]

Definately at the back.... but and a very big but ....get someone to show you how to use it as it can cause serious damage if misused....not a great fan except for extreme circumstances ie not just leading strong horse but stallion handling etc.

[triana411]

Thanks EMI for your reply as i said i would only use as a very last resort as i always been taught that prevention is better than cure therefore i'm highly unlikely to use it as like u i am not a fan of these sorts of things thanks again :)

Lynne

[triana411]

Hi Mayo.

:confused: means confused ok
Lynne

[Wally]

I have never resorted to one even with stallions!

be careful and cautious with one.

[Skye94]

when skye was at college with me she had been on box rest for a while and was coming back into work. I wasnt supposed to be working at the yard that day but i went up to see skye, and everyone was sayin bad things about her, she was rearing, going for people, bucking and kicking out, so already i was i tears and then the YM said she had to be put in a chiffney and only taken to field by either YM or a group of HND students as she was "dangerous". well that was it, i was in tears, gasping for breath as i couldnt believe my pony had been so dangerous she was trying to kill people. she hates pressure in her mouth and i cant stop saying sorry to her about the amount of pain she must have been in! :( I WILL NEVER EVER USE ONE AGAIN!

[mayoguinness]

Hi Mayo.

:confused: means confused ok
Lynne

hu:confused:

That looks gross, how does it go on, even:eek:

[Sasca]

the picture of the chifney is upside down. the two rings on either side is where the head band goes and the botoom ring is where the lead rope goes so the bend is in the mouth poking the tongue. if ANY pressure is put on the rope, this groove digs and crushes the tongue. It must be very painful. I've seen people yanking down with these with force that would hurt with a snaffle. i can't watch them being used as they make me cringe if the horse moves. I wont use them out of principle and support anyone whos follows.

[carthorse]

I don't like them & in an ideal world they wouldn't exist but the world isn't ideal & I mustadmit they have a place when used correctly. They aren't a substitute for proper training but if using one means a horse is kept under control and a situation that is dangerous to horse & handler is avoided then I will use one (I'm running for cover now!!!)

Please get someone to show you how to fit & use one properly - just say to your new boss that you've never had the need to use one before & would like to check that you're using it correctly. I wouldn't not use one if you've been told to, there's probably a good reason why they say these two horses must be lead in one.

Good luck with the new job!

[mayoguinness]

the picture of the chifney is upside down. the two rings on either side is where the head band goes and the botoom ring is where the lead rope goes so the bend is in the mouth poking the tongue. if ANY pressure is put on the rope, this groove digs and crushes the tongue. It must be very painful. I've seen people yanking down with these with force that would hurt with a snaffle. i can't watch them being used as they make me cringe if the horse moves. I wont use them out of principle and support anyone whos follows.

I feel sick:(

[Fizz]

horse on our yard has one, he is fine with everything other than being lead so has one to go to/from the fields:)

[mayoguinness]

How can you ride a horse without being able to lead him without force??

[Ms Kitty]

Our stallion at home is very bolshy when lead around other horses, and I usually end up putting the chain bit he has at the end of his lead rope through his mouth to help control him. It doesn't require a force, but just in case he gets carried away, I like having the possibility of controlling him with force if necessary, rather than risking him hurting anyone. Force comes into play only if that happens, otherwise I can lead him around on a loose rope. It is the same idea as with a chiffney.

He is a completely different horse when you are on him though, when in continuous work he can be ridden easily in just plain loose ring snaffle around other horses with no problems.

So, as an answer to your question Mayo, quite easily.. ;)

Nina x

[Marmite]

The RS has 2 stallys (brothers, so they dont fight) and we dont use chiffs to handle them. Ones really laid back when being led so just has a headcoller and leadrope, the other can be slightly more strong and sometimes has the leadrope through his mouth, just in case. They're both ridden in snaffles.

One of the workers uses one on her own horse though, shes tiny and has a huge sec D mare built like a stally and acts like a tank. If you know what you're doing, it shouldnt cause damage. I wouldnt like to be told to use one though :eek:

[CurlyWurlyRach]

i dont have a problem with them, use them all the time with the racehorses, they're all strong, fit and easy to startle. i dont want to be on the wrong end of that.
Although i did lead our 5yr old racer stallion past three mares in just a headcoller when he normally had the chifney and he was a good boy - screamed his head off but didnt actually do anthing, bless him.

I like them for leading on the roads.

[8-legged-pony]

We used to have to use them at my old riding school for a couple of the horses. I didn't particularly like it as i wasn't really told how to use them properly, just asked to put it on them to lead them to the field after my riding lesson. I personally prefer be-nice halters with rearers, they seem to be a bit friendlier and it's easier to take off the pressure when they walk nicely beside you.