Great Achievement

[belle]

Today I got on my young horse for the first time!!! Well not the whole way on but I laid over her back, and she was so calm and just stood chilled out next to my mum while I was on her! She wasnt scared at any time. I'm so proud of my little mare!!

Now I have got on her, I want to get her used to tack etc. She is used to a saddle, but I am unsure of what bit to start her off in. I want to get a happy mouth, but should it be full cheeked, eggbutt or loosering? Also should it be a french link or straight or normal snaffle? I am not planning on using a noseband.

Thanks in advance for your help guys!:) :D

[lamprellsarah]

it really depends, i would properly go for a straight one, don't really want a nut cracker action it could encourage him open his mouth!
i would normally go for a full cheeks one just so steering is more obvious, don't know if u can get thos to combined though!!

i think a french link may be a good one to start off in it's a hard decision!!i broke mine in with a stright rubber mouth bit!! but this isn't nessary the best one!!

[belle]

I have had a straight bar rubber bit in her mouth, but I felt it seemed too bulky (she is an Arab with a small mouth). Also I think perhaps jointed or french link might be better for a feel for turns etc?

[cvb]

I really like a loose ring french link, because they are mild and not "fixed" in the horse's mouth. But I never had the chance to try one as a first bit.

I also heard that a snaffle with cheek pieces is good if you think you might need some help with steering.

[Mehitabel]

i always use a fulmer or cheeked french link to start babies. the french link is easier on the steering as each side works separately. a jointed snaffle has the nutcracker thing, and a straight bar works on both sides of the mouth when you use one rein, because it's one bar, pulling on one side brings the other side forwards and pulls on the cheekpiece. i also use a headcollar or lunge cavesson under hte bridle, so whoever's leading me has an independent control that doesn't interfere with the bridle.
i usually start with an eggbutt, as it stays still in the mouth and so gives more precise aids, but if the pony deosn't accept it and doesn't play with the bit, i change to a loose ring. but if the pony plays too much and looks like it might get the tongue over the bit, i stay with the eggbutt which doesn't encourage too much mouthing.

[Lgd]

The JP single jointed or french link eggbutt snaffles are nice for babies as they are very gentle. I prefer the eggbutt as it makes the bit more stable in the mouth. Peri still goes in the single jointed JP she was started in at 4 and has just turned 13 last month. I am not keen on the happy mouth and rubber bits for young horses as they tend to be fairly bulky and many youngsters find they take up too much mouth room.