PeeWee Bit

[JanC]

Just got a pee wee bit on hire and tried it out immediately - fantastic! I normally hack out in a half-bosal but my young girl needs to develop her back (she's very much working on her fore) so I need to school her into a more collected shape. I hate the amount of contact I need to use to do this so decided to try the peewee. With hardly any contact and just some finger twitching she dropped her neck down and was beautifully collected in both walk and trot. She's only 6 and so I'm taking it slow to start. The reviews on this bit assure me that its a gentle, mild bit but makes the aids very clear. If things continue this well, I'll be buying it!:D

[Rosie1994]

I've thought about getting one of these, the 'reviews' of them certainly sound promising. My mare can be very strong. I use a mullen mouth pelham at the moment with 2 reins, and she is OK, much lighter. I try to only keep a light contact on the curb rein and use it only when needed, but do like the sound of the Pee Wee.

[dunrobin_topper]

Ive just been on the hunt for a new bit for my (fairly strong) welsh cob x. We were doing pretty well in the rubber mouth pelham (double reins too!) just like you Rosie but i was finding that he just didnt seem too happy in it. We have been schooling twice a week over the summer and all was fine until he started to lean. I tried to correct it by giving instead of pulling back but i had no choice the other week when he realised his strength and started leaning to avoid the contact all together and pulled me to keep up on a hack in company! So im back to the drawing board! Do you think i could regain some control using the pee wee but still try and maintain a light contact and improve his way of going (not back on the forehand!! hopefully) My sponging on the reins technique isnt helping and i hate using lots of pressure when i know that he used to be much lighter! Oh the troubles!

Any info much appreciated!

[Mareish]

Peewee ? Sounds fab but what is it, how does it work and what does it look like ?

[HanGbbn]

Mareish - Here's some info on the Pee Wee bit.
http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1577

They sometimes come up on eBay too.
I'm considering getting one on trial for my cob mare so very interested on any opinions on it or reviews.
Thanks

[pineapple]

are they dressage legal??? the only thing my little pony will soften in is a 3 ring gag but obviously cant compete in it.
seen it use on a horse when i went to get my new horse and was working well of what i saw....

[Styric]

Definitely not dressage legal

[pineapple]

damn should have guessed not really... they are kind of cheating. never mind

[Mareish]

Wow, what a contraption.

Any pics of your horse in it?

Would love to have an update in a few weeks

[JanC]

Chris now collects herself with almost invisible aids. Tend to only use the peewee now and again now. I prefer to not use a bit and now work and hack in either a headcollar or a Dr Cook. I think she is just so much clearer about what I am asking her to do now - I raise my hands a fraction and touch her sides a tiny bit with my legs and she instantly starts to work in a fantastic outline. Last week in a fit of super chuffedness I schooled her without anything on her head and she did it then aswell!!!:eek: What a clever girl - I'm not a great rider and I think that the pee wee helped me clear things up for her.

[michelle c]

is there any pics of it on a horse coz i cant seem to work out how it goes?!!!!:o

[Trio]

just got one of these for my young un. he was resisting all other types of bit and as he was used to a western bit and the peewee looks similar thought i'd give it a go.
Fantastic, no head shaking and complete control without heavy aids. He seems really comfortable with it and i only have it on the lowest snaffle setting.
Will get some photos of it to check i'm using it correctly (if anyone knows?)

[Vicki&Milo]

If anyone has got any pictures of this on a horse I too would be interested. Milo tends to head wave (its not really a shake, more a nose in the air and throw it around) in trot and seems to have no real concept of 'accepting' the bit (back and teeth all checked). He was always very easy going and easy to stop too, but now he's getting bigger and fitter I've loosing brakes, so this sounds like it might be a good idea.

Also, anyone know how the sizing works, he's only a little 'un

[Trio]

there are only 2 sizes of bit and its a very thin bar- like a western bit- standard for ponies/horses up to 15.2 TB's (light breeds ) and then 15.2+ and heavier breeds (WB, ID etc).
i was a bit concerned about the sizing thing but it fits Arch perfectly. You can hire one from the saddlery shop place .

[Vicki&Milo]

Can I ask a really dumb question, how do you know how much room your horse has in its mouth for a bit, I really don't fancy sticking my fingers in Milo's!

ETA have never used or seen a western bit, but am assuming this would work on a UK birdle, am I wrong?

[Trio]

Can I ask a really dumb question, how do you know how much room your horse has in its mouth for a bit, I really don't fancy sticking my fingers in Milo's!

ETA have never used or seen a western bit, but am assuming this would work on a UK birdle, am I wrong?


You can see if you're horse has "room" in its mouth fairly easily (without losing your fingers) - depends on size of mouth, fleshyness, size of tongue and depth. Both of mine have fleshy mouths and not much room- so this is great for them as its tiny.

The peewee isnt a western bit as it doesnt have the curb action of one and works in a western or english bridle.

link for peewee
http://www.peeweebit.com/instructions-for-peewee.php

[JULIA G]

My horse went very well in the Pee Wee considering he usually goes bitless. I only thought of getting one for XC/hunting eg as when his blood's up I don't think I'm going to be able to hold him in my bitless.

The only thing I don't like about them is how complicated they are/look. Took me ages to get it on him and if I actually bought one was wondering if I could have the curb strap and 2 bottom rings removed (as they didn't seem to be doing anything on the low setting which is all I would ever use) so its a much simpler, neater looking bit? :rolleyes:

It's very thin and exceptionally lightweight, great for horses with small mouths and huge tongues (like mine) :D

[Vicki&Milo]

So, if my pony doesnt have a particularly small mouth, and I use it on the top setting, would it serve any purpose over a loose ring straight bar?

[Trio]

a simple loose ring snaffle will apply pressure on the back of the mouth but the peewee applies it on the lower jaw so has a downwards pull rather than backwards/upwards.
Depends on how your pony goes- i'm trying to retrain Archie as he was being trained for polo and has an upside down neck and runs around with his head as high as he can so the peewee works for him :D

[Vicki&Milo]

That makes complete sense and I think would help a lot. Milo doesn't really do bending.

[doris]

I think they may be a good bit for horses that don't like jointed bits. Many horses with large tongues/fleshy mouths have a problem with a jointed bit hitting the top of the mouth. I've looked at the website and it does give a lot of information that seems quite plausible.

[dunrobin_topper]

I finally got the pee wee on trial and i think ive worked out how its supposed to sit now! Tops seems to like the feel although i still get worried when i lunge him in it!

Ridden him out alone and he was very good, jumped him and he is finally stretching his neck and finding his balance - was having a hard time in the pelham!, trying to school but since the weather turned ive only had a few oppertunities to really test it out but he was so much lighter to ride and i barely have to close my hands now to get a reponse - very happy with him - no more leaning and pulling - getting there in canter although he still is quite stiff on his bad rein. Got him doing some flexing on each rein and rein back (finally he understands!) Still trying a little leg yielding but im on a learning curve with lateral work so im getting help with all of this!

Overall very pleased and im over the moon that his expression has changed and he isnt as grumpy in the school!! :D

[lavondyss]

http://www.peeweebit.com/ Full instructions on how to fit the bit :D

[Kirstine]

Hmmmm... got one on trial for Jenson who has a huge tongue and very little mouth. I normally ride him in a french link or a Myler (starter type) and while he is not hugely protesting, i.e. not tossing his head about, he does pull against the bit as soon as I put any pressure on it.
Tried the Pee Wee yesterday with mixed results. He did flex very easily and did not pull against it at all.
I was a bit shocked at how severe the action is, though, it's certainly not to be used by novices or those with hard hands!
The only problem I had with it was that he did shake his head much more than normally and I was wondering if it may have pinched him in the corners of the mouth, although there was no physical sign of this. I had it on the mildest setting and am 99% certain that it was fitted correctly, although it may have been 1/8 of an inch too high (found it very difficult to make it sit so that there was contact but no wrinkling). I can't believe he would need a size Large as he is only 15.1
Does anyone have experience with this? and would it help if I put those rubber discs (can't remember what they're called) on?
Thanks

[doris]

The description on the pee wee bit website says it has a gentle action and is suitable for sensitive mouths? I was thinking of trying one myself. Perhaps if you think it's a severe bit they may be able to help you if you contact them via email and tell them your findings.

[Kirstine]

I tried it again tonight and have to say he went like an absolute dream on the lightest of rein contacts - it really does feel a bit like cheating.
He did react to it once, though. Again, as if it has pinched him, or maybe he managed to get his tongue over it. Will definitely email the Pee Wee people to enquire re this as I really do not like that aspect of it.
When I say it is severe, I suppose I mean that with it being about as thin as a pencil, it is bound to be quite painful if pulled. I would certainly leave jumping in it to the experts as I dread to think of how it will feel if the rider gets behind on the jump.
Finally, re the bit being for horses with sensitive mouthes, I understood that to be for horses that do not like a lot of movement from the bit, e. g. nutcracker action, and that, because the Pee Wee sends such a clear signal, i.e. you only need to move you finger to get flexion, you do not disturb their mouthes.

[murraymoo]

Just wondering if you could tell me what ring /way round you had the bit to get the results you did. I have ordered a peewee bit , and was just wondering which setting I should have it on to stop my strong cob getting his tounge over the bit and to help with his constant leaning. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

[HanGbbn]

Hi,
Just wanted to know what size I should order for my 15.1hh heavy gypsy cob mare? She usually has a 5 1/2" in jointed bits but when she has had a straight bar pelham in the past she had to have a 6" as the 5 1/2" in it was too small.
Thanks very much
Hannah xx

[Kirstine]

MurrayMoo,
Not sure I can really help you as probably a matter of trying different things for individual horses / riders, so best thing is probably to see how it goes for you.
I’ve tried it so far once on the all purpose (large ring down and reins on large ring) and once on the leverage (large ring up, reins on small ring) and both worked wonders – you really do need absolute minimal rein contact. Probably the leverage worked a little bit better but it may also be because he had got more used to the bit.
The more I think about it, I think his reaction has been due to getting his tongue over it, rather than pinching, as I got similar reactions when I first started using his Myler and he got his tongue over it a couple of times before he learnt it was not a good idea.

Hannah,
They only come in two sizes and the small (or standard) is recommended for any horse or pony under 16.2 and for draft horses. Jenson can just about fill a 5 ½ “ jointed so I was surprised to see that there is very little room to spare on the sides of the standard size Pee Wee.
Probably best to contact the manufacturer for advice if you think yours may qualify as a draft.

Best of luck to you both – would love to hear how you get on :)

[murraymoo]

I have now used the peewee a number of times - and I have to say I think my boy really likes it!!. No more toungue over the bit (- so i don't need the flash strap - which he hated). No more yanking on the reins almost unseating me at every opportunity - he just accepts the bit nicely and his mouth is nice and quiet. Haven't done much schooling yet, just hacking - but am amazed already, and I've only got it on the second setting, I'm sure if i try it on the bottom ring it will be even better. Am going to take things slowly. Am just so glad I've found a mouthpiece he actually likes!