At what age do you bit your youngsters?

[Carrots&Mints]

Hi all

Just a quick question what age do you start bitting your youngsters? I have. 2 year old and I'm thinking if getting him used to the bit before he starts serious teething.

What do you lot think?

Thanks

 

[GeorgeyGal]

My 2 year old has double wolf teeth so won't be thinking about that for a while. I don't think there's any harm in putting a straight bar rubber snaffle in with a bridle but not attached to reins. Although personally I wouldn't long rein or do anything off the mouth until they're going well under saddle bitless.

 

[GeorgeyGal]

Just make sure teeth have been checked beforehand.

 

[saalsk]

My lad is 4 this year, and has been wearing a no-noseband bridle with a straight bar happy mouth eggbut for hacking out ( he is led from head collar, not bit ) for the last 2 years. I started letting him play with it ( covered in apple sauce) from about 12 months, once the dentist had checked his teeth a few times. I didn't use a "key" bit, and he hasn't tried a metal mouthpiece, or anything jointed, as he seems happy in that one. I have just started gentle long reining from the bit, he has been long reining from headcollar for about 2 years already.

 

[Sparkles]

Mouthed mine at 18 months, long lined at 2 then went bitless once teeth started coming through and falling out. never was for handling or control purposes, solely mouthing up and training.

 

[Carrots&Mints]

Thanks guys ill get his teeth checked out first and then ill measure his mouth I've got a straight bar happy mouth already so hopefully it might be right size.. If not ill get on eBay


Cheers guys!!

 

[Carrots&Mints]

Thanks Christmas sparkles I'm just doing it for mouthing purposes not for handling he's pretty good to handle just a big immature softy!! Lol

 

[saalsk]

I'd never used a happy mouth before - older horse ( and all previous ) is in a steel snaffle with 2 rotary joints. I didn't want to clank the youngsters teeth, so I went for the happy mouth, and I remember told to check it regularly for sharp bits or rough bits, that might appear if he chews on it a little. He is very quiet in his mouth with it, out on the lead rope hacking around the lanes, he is by far the more sensible of the pair. I have always been worried about "ruining" his mouth by too harsh / too early contact, so I think I am taking it much much slower than others, but it works for us.

I remember a riding school teacher telling me that if the horse wasn't "good mannered" enough to be led from a headcollar and leadrope, then using a bit ( of whatever type ) was only ever going to ruin the mouth.

 

[Enfys]

About a year.

Same time frame as when they get used to having a saddle pad, girth and stirrups on, and boots, and bandages.

Once or twice is enough, job done, when starting proper happens it will be no big deal.

The sooner the better as far as I am concerned.

 

[eggs]

Usually start butting them when they are backed - usually at three. I always get my EDT to do them before bitting. Only time I have bitter earlier was with a couple of two year old fillies who were doing a futurity show where bits were required. I used straight bar vulcanite snaffleds and an in-hand bridle with the reins attached to a coupling chain attached to the noseband metal attachments.

I use a snaffle with cheeks when backing as it helps with the steering and stops the bit from being pulled through the mouth.bsome seem happier in a metal bit whilst others in a Happy Mouth.

 

[windand rain]

As I show mine from foals I find that bitting becomes a natural progression from foal slip to filly slip to in hand bridle with a rubber snaffle to a metal bit when backed. I dont back until 4 or older but they are usually used to ab it much sooner
Colts have to bitted from late yearlings to show anyway
so really it is the same thing as usual it isnt the bit that does the harm but the hands on the lead or the reins whichever comes first
My fillies have always been bitted from about 3 as that is usually when they outgrow the filly slip

 

[Rhodders]

I put a bit in my youngsters mouth at 2.5, but I knew in my gut something wasn't right. So after 2 x 10 minute try's I called it a day, vet had a wee look and his teeth are sharp, and possibly some removal needed.
I've just continued on my merry way with a bitless bridle - when the vet comes to finish his jabs off I'll have his teeth done and then re assess the situation.
If it doesn't seem right, go with your gut instinct is the only real advice I can give.