advise wanted on bits!!!!

[fuzzle]

Hi everyone. I have a 3year 7 months youngster whom was broken in 3 months ago, she is doing really well. I have just started taking her to local shows to gain experience and im doing ridden hunter classes and green horse,
the only problem i have is that they advise to wear a snaffle but she hates jointed bits and doesn t go well in the snaffle at all, she loves a straight bar but i feel that it is too much for her and i don t want her hard mouthed, has anyone ever had a young horse with the same problem or anyone who can give me any advise on what to use. Thankyou so much for any replies.

 

[Kadastorm]

have you tried a french link snaffle? happy mouth jointed? we use rubber straight bar snaffles with loose rings for our babies. any snaffle is ok.

i know you are are wanting to gain experience for your youngster but usually your horse has to be 4 years to go into ridden classes and im just thinking she is probably finding it all a bit much going out??
why not do gentle schooling at home, getting her to accept the bit? it seems that she is just being babyish from what you are saying which i would expect from a young, just broken pony.

 

[Attie]

A rubber straight bar or happy mouth straight bar would be a nice soft bit for a youngster. It's quite soon to be doing ridden classes at shows - usually it's 4 years plus? Always good to give youngsters some time and they can be quite babyish still at 3 1/2 . Good luck.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

A snaffle doesn't have to be jointed. If your horse is happy in a mullen-mouthed or straight bar snaffle stick to that. I didn't quite understand which bit you are using atm.
But as someone else said, perhaps she isn't really old enough to be going to ridden shows, just yet.

 

[Jade&Syrah]

I few youngsters i've worked with lately have prefered the happy mount straight bar loose ring

 

[fuzzle]

Thankyou so much for all your replies. I did in hand classes with her last season and only doing the ridden classes for her to learn to ride with other horses has there is no one who rides with me. I always ask the judge if its ok for her to enter the class and i only do the walk and trot and maybe a small canter i refuse the to do the gallop if the judge asks.
I use the class only for schooling has i find collecting rings a little too much for youngsters. She has done really well only done 2 shows and came 2nd both times. Im not going every week maybe once a month so its a change from the manage and been on our own. She will be 4 in 2 months time as just checked my passport.
Will take alll your advise on board.

THANKYOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Attie]

Have fun, she sounds lucky to have you!

 

[Carmen1]

Hi

This may come out wrong and it doesen't mean to, believe me but i am a great believer in "hard mouth comes from hard hands". My horses have what ever bit they like in their mouth. I know when they don't like it as they chomp, head up and down and play with it. When they like a bit they stand there happily.
The hardness comes from the riders hands. The softer and lighter your hands are then it will reflect in the horses mouth. The bit is only really used for an extra point of communication.
I know you have a youngster so i want to wish you the best of luck and a massive congratulations on your show. 2nd? Thats awesome.