Re-introducing the bit

[Jacquie]

I've been riding TB in a natural hackamore for quite some time and the only reason I'm reintroducing the bit is to enable me to enter a few dressage competitons again next season.

It's been around 18 months since he's had a bit in his mouth and although I was pleased with how he behaved today, somehow I felt guilty for putting a lump of steel back in his mouth. :(

I could tell he would much prefer to be ridden in his natural hackamore and I do plan to carry on using it on him the majority of the time - but... if I don't reintroduce the bit I'll have no chance of ever entering another dressage competition. (I know there's PNH dressage days but I prefer to do the traditonal tests).

I feel as if I'm being totally selfish in making TB wear a bit just to satisy my own desires.

Has anyone else experienced this feeling or am I just over reacting? :rolleyes:

[Alibi]

Jacquie, I know just how you feel. I've had my little TB in a hackamore for 2 years and out of curiosity I popped his bit in the other weekend. So I dropped the bit down a hole each side, so it didn't make his lips curl (the old fashioned way) and he was incredibly light on the mouth, held the bit in place, no chewing or evasion like we previously had. With the lightest contact made a lovely shape, most of my steering came from thinking about it and my weight, hardly had to make any adjustments with the reins.

I didn't feel guilty at all as there was none of the pulling and opening his mouth anymore, I'd say have a go and the horse will tell you if he's not happy about it. I pretty much plan to ride in my hackamore and use the bridle on the odd occasion, purely because at some point I would also like to ride a dressage test. Just because we follow the PNH program doesn't mean that we can't pop a bridle on and do a test - its not as if your going to be sitting on him, kicking like hell and yanking on his mouth, is it? Its L2 stuff thats all!

You could also put you savvy string around his neck so that if he does need slowing down and he's not listening to you, you could use the string instead of his mouth (that's if you're already doing riding with a savvy string on the neck)

BTW I just used my old regular snaffle bridle, didn't opt for the Parelli one so its not necessary.

I'd say try it, and if he doesn't like it he'll tell you.

[Jacquie]

Hi Alibi
I must admit I did actually drop the bit down one hole each side because it looked so restriciting and uncomfortable for him, he still had creases each side of his mouth though. :( I also used his pre PNH cavesson bridle and lozenge bit because I wouldn't go to the expense of purchasing the Parelli bridle or bit as personaly I don't think they're a neccesity (s)

Thanks for the idea of popping the savvy string around his neck as a 'safety belt' (I hadn't thought about that) at least if he tripped or ignored my aids for any reason it would help me control him without the risk of jabbing him in the mouth.

My plan is to have him ready for a dressage test by the beginning of next season, as there's no big rush I'm only going to use the bridle/bit once a week. I've also decided that I'll only continue if there doesn't appear to be any negative reactions from TB.

I know I'm probably being a drama queen but I'm still feeling guilty about reintroducing the bit, especially since going out on a three hour hack today with TB wearing his natural hackamore and noticing what a chilled out happy bunny he appeared to be.

Once again thanks for your suggestions, they're much appreciated.

[Naturally]

Hi jacquie,

Have you tried riding him in a Cherokee Bridle as a re-introduction. It's much softer first up for them, and a good reminder for you too.

[Jacquie]

Hi jacquie,

Have you tried riding him in a Cherokee Bridle as a re-introduction. It's much softer first up for them, and a good reminder for you too.

Hi Naturally

Nice to hear from you and hope you had a good time at the conference. :)

I did think about trying TB in a cherokee bridle but decided against it because it just seemed to be delaying the inevitable by placing the savvy string in his mouth instead of his very mild lozenge bit.

It appears I'm having more of a problem getting used to the re-introduction than he is. :(

[Naturally]

It appears I'm having more of a problem getting used to the re-introduction than he is

Hey Jacquie, it's normal. This is where the PNH style bridles come into their own. Because the slobber straps act as a hinge if you are using them correctly, it shouldn't feel much more different to the horse or the human than the hackamore. If you've got a bit of time, try and start developing your "soft feel" before venturing out into the world of competition, so that he remembers that he needs to collect etc (don't forget he is probably used to having his head all to himself for a while). If not, don't stress, I'm sure he will be fine with the bit, ....the rest is up to you.

Had a ball at the conference, will send you a PM when I get a chance, bit busy catching up at the moment !! ;)

[michelle c]

i know how you feel jacquie, when i first put the parelli bridle on meg i felt awful and had to remember not to go back into my old habits, but i was suprised, she came up into the bridle as soon as i picked the reins up ( used to be leaning on the forehand) and we had an elevated trot and her hocks were coming right underneath her, we also done some nice powerful extended trot with no leaning and i was holding the reins with one finger and thumb!!!! :D dont feel guilty and remember to ride frestyle inbetween refinement so tb doesnt feel restricted!!!! :D

[Naturally]

Hey Jacquie, I just had a little thought while I was out riding today. Some dentists here put a bit "seat" in the horse. It's like a little tooth cap (I think) that sits where the bit sits in the mouth, and apparently is infinately more comfortable for the horse. Maybe you could check it out with your dentist.

[Jacquie]

Hey Jacquie, I just had a little thought while I was out riding today. Some dentists here put a bit "seat" in the horse. It's like a little tooth cap (I think) that sits where the bit sits in the mouth, and apparently is infinately more comfortable for the horse. Maybe you could check it out with your dentist.
Hi Naturally,
Must say I haven't heard of this before (but that's not saying it isn't practiced in the UK).
Are these 'seats' a permanent fixture or only placed in the mouth each time the bit's being used?
Naturally, I'm not sure I like the sound of these because if they're a fixture, I wouldn't want a permanent foreign body in TB's mouth and if they're only fitted each time the bits in use I'd be worried there's a chance he could swallow it. :(

[Naturally]

No it's fixed, and the dentist here that uses is proclaims to be working in harmony with the jaw and body. I must say I've not had it done to my horses, but am intending to look further into it soon as Zig is also ready to go back onto the bit. I'll try and find his website and send you a PM. I don't personally use this guy as he is outrageously expensive and I had another issue with him, but I have heard that others do it also.

[Chablis]

I had a bit seat done in my levels horse mouth and as she has quite a small mouth, it really helped. She has a 5inch bit in her mouth and standard PNH bridle.

She was (previously) very anxious when having a bit/bridle on (ex-racehorse) and would frequently toss her head, panic if any contact, rear etc as felt quite claustophic.

After riding her in the hackamore and having her soft, lot's of preparation with the savvy string ie until she was happy to have it in her mouth then playing on the ground with the string, riding her with it, the progressing with lot's of bridle (minus bit and reins) on and off until she accepted the bridle going on by lowering head in preparation.

We then progressed to putting bit in her mouth minus the reins and playing with her on the ground for short periods. Built this up in time and then added the reins and played online on the ground using the attached 12ft line.

Got her nice and soft then progressed to riding her in the hackamore with the bridle/bit over the top but no reins.

We then progressed to having the reins attached to bridle and still using hackamore. We then progressed to using the bridle only :)

Guess what, no head tossing, very little opening of her mouth (I don't use a noseband) and also resulted in me being very very polite when asking and we got even better results!

You could probably break this down even more or even speeds things up depending on you and your horse.

I also did

Here's a link to a picture of my mare (she's the one on the right) . http://community.webshots.com/photo/152751560/442607357enhZhR

[No_Angel]

I also feel very guilty when I wanted to put a bit back in my girls mouth (also a tb :p ) I bought a loose ring rubber snaffle and she just hated it, once id got it in her mouth she tried to spit it out and take it off using the door, then I took it off her and tried to put it on again and she wouldnt have any of it, so now im just using my bitless, and trying out a few ideas.

[LindaAd]

Hi Naturally,
Must say I haven't heard of this before (but that's not saying it isn't practiced in the UK).
Are these 'seats' a permanent fixture or only placed in the mouth each time the bit's being used?
Naturally, I'm not sure I like the sound of these because if they're a fixture, I wouldn't want a permanent foreign body in TB's mouth and if they're only fitted each time the bits in use I'd be worried there's a chance he could swallow it. :(


I thought a "bit seat" just involved filing down the teeth a little, to make a comfortable space for the bit ..

Linda

[Naturally]

I'm not sure now Linda, that was the way it was explained to me and now I can't even find the info on the guy. will keep looking

[Jacquie]

I also feel very guilty when I wanted to put a bit back in my girls mouth (also a tb :p )
Phew....thank goodness it's not just me then. :p

[LodgeRopes]

After we have been re educating a horse in a rope halter/ hackamore, then going back to a bit, we have to be careful that our mindset remains with the hackamore techniques. good luck, your horse is lucky to have you.

[Jacquie]

good luck, your horse is lucky to have you.
How nice of you to say that LodgeRopes - thank you.
However, I feel I'm the lucky one to have a horse as special as TB. :)