Best first bridle for a baby?

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Pipala85

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Acquired a sweet little 2 year old cob on loan for 2 years to keep my big handsome thug company (it's ok, he loves his little child-bride) - and have been asked to get her started on her journey.

She is a sweetie and already handles well, and this isn't entirely my first rodeo as I did yearling prep many moons ago - but could do with some advice re: first bridle and bit, as TB yearling prep and my normal world are rather different, plus I am 100 years older!

Looking to pop a bridle on her soon so I can move on to proper leading, long-reining and then lungeing (softly and slowly); is there a special sort of bridle I should use or just start with a standard snaffle bridle and work from there? And rubber bit, or go straight to an eggbutt? Getting things in her gob isnt a problem, she is a sucker haha!

Owners aren't paying for kit (long story involving serious obligations!) so want to keep it simple and cheap - she is a bum-high 13hh with a head on the cusp of pony and cob (today at least), so things won't necessarily last long - so cheap (but comfy) brand ideas would be much appreciated.

All suggestions gratefully received!

P
 
Um, sorry if P1ssing on your parade here, but just be careful that having been "asked to get her started on her journey" you're not then being expected to go on to fully back her: result is owner gets their horse started, backed & eventually ridden-on, all for diddly squat, at which time you - who've done all the work - hand horse back and owner gets their horse all ready to go!!

Sorry, not wanting to be negative, and I could just have picked up the wrong vibes.

Yes TB-yearling prep and dealing with a coblet ARE indeed two different worlds entirely; as you will discover! LOL. Cobs are slower to physically grow but can be very quick on the uptake, although they may seem "slower" learners on the face of it; and can soon learn to use their weight to get what they want unless this tendency is nipped in the bud at an early stage.

Personally, and this is just my opinion: I wouldn't be in a rush to "bit" her just yet; way too early right now and plenty of time for that later on. I'd be inclined to use a bog-standard headcollar for now and/or a string halti if she gets a bit rude. Ditto agree with above poster re. lunging. Much too early!

When you DO get round to bridling and bitting; I wouldn't spend a great deal - when that time comes then have a look around any horsey car-boot sales and/or second-hand tack shops as there's no point in spending silly money!
 
My 2yr olds are bitted and both occasionally do little lead sessions in the arena and are starting some in hand 'work' now (which is 5 mins moving round both reins walking over poles and tarpaulin and over various things)
Mine are in a simple headstall, no noseband as they're led off the head collar and a little lozenge snaffle. I don't really like rubber for bitting, it's too thick and often doesn't give the tongue enough space
 
If you need to buy something I would buy a Micklem as it will see you through all the lunging and longreining when you start the horse .
Otherwise I would just use a head stall brow band and cheek pieces and a thin lozenge bit .
But unless you need to bit because she’s being a yob I would probably leave her alone till next year
 
The best bridle is one that fits properly. For me the best bit is a simple fulmer snaffle so it helps with direction without hurting. Still.. odd that you want to bit such a baby. I used to show my yearling/2yo/3yo and didn't bit until 4yo. Have you even checked for any teeth that the bit may damage? The owner may not care but I wouldn't bit without the dentist being called out first.
 
Pipala85 said:
have been asked to get her started on her journey.

She is a sweetie and already handles well, and this isn't entirely my first rodeo as I did yearling prep many moons ago - but could do with some advice re: first bridle and bit, as TB yearling prep and my normal world are rather different, plus I am 100 years older!

Looking to pop a bridle on her soon so I can move on to proper leading, long-reining and then lungeing (softly and slowly); is there a special sort of bridle I should use or just start with a standard snaffle bridle and work from there? And rubber bit, or go straight to an eggbutt? Getting things in her gob isnt a problem, she is a sucker haha!
Click to expand...

I wouldn't be doing any of that for a year especially if she is already well handled.
 
I’m bitting my boy this year coming, he’s already bigger than we thought and welsh so I don’t want him getting above himself. He won’t be doing anything other than wearing it, no lunging or long lining. It will be purely as a back up incase he goes into terrible twos thug mode Lol ;)

this was stellas bridle. It’s old but soft and pliable :)
0EFB0AD3-824F-4A08-BFC7-0C7BE6000629.jpeg844B7D91-9CA5-4D6E-9938-79DBA1BF4CD8.jpeg3C958B85-AE18-445C-BA47-4561BB4D66A6.jpegEC366F90-B286-4805-8606-1BEF2674D4CA.jpeg
 
bonny said:
I would leave her alone for at least a year, preferably two, why would you lunge a two year old ?
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Thanks for your reply Bonny, to reassure you I'm not looking to lunge any time soon, and certainly not for fitness, merely education.

The owner would like her backed and turned away next summer, so my plan is to have a 'lesson' for 5 minutes once or twice a week and do things very gradually. I haven't time to do anything much else, what with work, exercising my boy and looking after the pair of them (and my boyfriend and I never see each other unless I drag him up to the yard with me!

I've had her a month now, and so far the lessons have included 'hoses aren't scary really' and 'you can't stand on one leg while I pick your feet out, and this will take as long as it takes!!' as well as leaning to move over and back with a vocal command and a touch. So far so good! (Suggestions on how to teach 'leadropes, clothes and smartphones aren't edible', other than coating everything in the world with anti-crib gel??)

Was planning on getting a bit in her mouth further down the line, literally putting it on and taking it off and rewarding her for a few weeks.

My experience has been that horses that have been slowly introduced to things over their babyhood are more relaxed when introduced to new experiences later in life, though I haven't been heavily involved in 'breaking' before I have helped a little and borne witness to various methods and the resulting horse. All horses are different of course! And there are many valid methods, this is just the route I prefer.

I hope I have reassured you (and others!) that I'm not going to literally 'break' this lovely filly!

P
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Um, sorry if P1ssing on your parade here, but just be careful that having been "asked to get her started on her journey" you're not then being expected to go on to fully back her: result is owner gets their horse started, backed & eventually ridden-on, all for diddly squat, at which time you - who've done all the work - hand horse back and owner gets their horse all ready to go!!

Sorry, not wanting to be negative, and I could just have picked up the wrong vibes.

Yes TB-yearling prep and dealing with a coblet ARE indeed two different worlds entirely; as you will discover! LOL. Cobs are slower to physically grow but can be very quick on the uptake, although they may seem "slower" learners on the face of it; and can soon learn to use their weight to get what they want unless this tendency is nipped in the bud at an early stage.

Personally, and this is just my opinion: I wouldn't be in a rush to "bit" her just yet; way too early right now and plenty of time for that later on. I'd be inclined to use a bog-standard headcollar for now and/or a string halti if she gets a bit rude. Ditto agree with above poster re. lunging. Much too early!

When you DO get round to bridling and bitting; I wouldn't spend a great deal - when that time comes then have a look around any horsey car-boot sales and/or second-hand tack shops as there's no point in spending silly money!
Click to expand...

Thanks MyJods. See my reply to Bonny re my thinking on what to do when...

Thanks for your concern about 'doing all the work' - Penny's owner is a friend of 15 years and I owe her a great deal. When I ask her advice on this situation though she basically tells me that she trusts me to do the right thing though - aargh! (I met her when I sold her the 'perfect pony' for her 11 year old daughter - a pony I had to unravel and start again with, but who went on to do pony club with the daughter and later HER daughter, before sadly having to be PTS last year at a grand old age).

It's also a lovely project to work with Penny at my leisure, so I don't feel hard done by at all. God knows what her owner will send me when it is time for her to go back, she's been ruminating about finding a late-gelded Section D off the mountain for me :-/ .... she has more faith in me than I do!! Still, I have nearly 2 years before that terrifying prospect!

P
 
TheMule said:
My 2yr olds are bitted and both occasionally do little lead sessions in the arena and are starting some in hand 'work' now (which is 5 mins moving round both reins walking over poles and tarpaulin and over various things)
Mine are in a simple headstall, no noseband as they're led off the head collar and a little lozenge snaffle. I don't really like rubber for bitting, it's too thick and often doesn't give the tongue enough space
Click to expand...

Thanks TheMule - I tend to agree re rubber, she hasn't got a massive tongue or lips YET, but she is a cob so space in the mouth is something to think about! You've confirmed my feelings.

I will add the 'walking past / over scary things' lessons to my list once I have the bit in and she is leading well. Thanks!

P
 
Goldenstar said:
If you need to buy something I would buy a Micklem as it will see you through all the lunging and longreining when you start the horse .
Otherwise I would just use a head stall brow band and cheek pieces and a thin lozenge bit .
But unless you need to bit because she’s being a yob I would probably leave her alone till next year
Click to expand...

Thanks Goldenstar, she isn't a yob but as per my other responses I like to introduce things sloooowly- she won't have a bridle on for a couple of months yet, and to begin with it will be merely to get used to the feeling.

P
 
tallyho! said:
The best bridle is one that fits properly. For me the best bit is a simple fulmer snaffle so it helps with direction without hurting. Still.. odd that you want to bit such a baby. I used to show my yearling/2yo/3yo and didn't bit until 4yo. Have you even checked for any teeth that the bit may damage? The owner may not care but I wouldn't bit without the dentist being called out first.
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Hi Tallyho,

Already had the dentist to her :-) and she'll be seen again in a few months when my boy is done. Another thing I want her to get used to - vets and dentists! See my reply to bonny re my reasoning for moving forward - albeit very slowly.

P
 
Tiddlypom said:
I use a micklem multibridle on my 3yos, as GS says it can be used for leading and light lunging (in walk) too. I don’t bit them at 2, though. I also get the EDT to check their mouths when he’s here to give me the OK that they are ready to bit before I proceed.

I use a NS team up bit or similar.
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Thanks Tiddlypom re bit advice - see above re: reasoning and dentist :-)

P
 
Black Beastie said:
I’m bitting my boy this year coming, he’s already bigger than we thought and welsh so I don’t want him getting above himself. He won’t be doing anything other than wearing it, no lunging or long lining. It will be purely as a back up incase he goes into terrible twos thug mode Lol ;)

this was stellas bridle. It’s old but soft and pliable :)
View attachment 37420View attachment 37421View attachment 37422View attachment 37423
Click to expand...

Thanks Black Beastie - so just 'comfy, well fitting bridle'. That's what I thought. As well as the reasonings I have given to others above, I was thinking along the same lines as you, re: cobs getting big and strong! My 16hh cob x Trakehner has a leg in each corner but is highly strung, and I don't enjoy our arguments... he is back in his 'naughty hat' (Monty R headcollar) at the moment as he has been rather strong to lead...

P
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Yes TB-yearling prep and dealing with a coblet ARE indeed two different worlds entirely; as you will discover! LOL. Cobs are slower to physically grow but can be very quick on the uptake, although they may seem "slower" learners on the face of it; and can soon learn to use their weight to get what they want unless this tendency is nipped in the bud at an early stage.
Click to expand...

I find cobs act dumb and use it to get their own way! I've ridden quite a few where the owners are like "he's too dumb he doesn't get it" but when you actually ride then they do get it but have learnt if they act dumb they don't have to do it!

And if they learn they're stronger than you that's it!
 
Thanks again to all - I am asking the question because I want answers! Leandy - sorry I didn't sign off properly like I did to others, it wasn't personal, I just forgot my manners in a flurry of replies...

Will post a pic of Penny at some point but she is too darned muddy right now: here's a pic of my (fat) handsome (rude) beloved (occasional nutter) darling Captain Kirk (he is hairy and muddy now too, but I am putting off clipping as he is only now coming back into work after a summer off and I am hoping that being out in the weather will shed a few lbs... but as he is getting a coat like a bear it might be time to get it doped and shave it and stick a sheet on it....)

Thanks again to you all,

Pip20191010_222407.jpg
 
P.S. I know he isn't really a 'diamante' type, but I wanted that particular bridle and the sparkly one was on sale haha! Plus with his paces (and my terror of jumping anything over 15hh - yeah, irrational, I know) we are probably going down the dressage route, where sparkles are... ok... yeah?? But he does have a mega jump and gallops well.... hoping to take him to a couple of Intro events eventually.

What sort of idiot takes on a big mad horse in November and a baby in September???

This one :-/

X
 
Tonto_ said:
I find cobs act dumb and use it to get their own way! I've ridden quite a few where the owners are like "he's too dumb he doesn't get it" but when you actually ride then they do get it but have learnt if they act dumb they don't have to do it!

And if they learn they're stronger than you that's it!
Click to expand...

Sorry, meant to respond earlier but have been caught up. Exactly what I think, I grew up slowly riding and handling various sections of Welshies, learned how to handle them (including a couple of a***eholes)- and then my riding teacher (for whom I worked for rides by then) gave me a new obese 14hh Highland with a solid mouth and a surprisingly upright buck), a dutch gag, some spurs, and basically told me to get on with it... I was 13! - and asked me to get on with it. And she was right, because I was both patient and stubborn. LJ happily went into the school, much lighter, just as we bought my pony, Abi. LJ never ditched anyone again, to my knowledge.

Abi couldn't be caught within an hour, and frequently bolted until I pointed her at 6ft+ gates or hedges (with my heart in my mouth), on the other hand, she never ditched me... but when I took her with me to Warwickshire College where I did my Equine degree, my best friends for life helped me to educate her.

They also learned how to fall off of a 'sweet little pony' though! And I admit I laughed my arse off (once I picked them up, checked them over, and caught the pony that went on to be an angel) - because they assumed that a NFxTBxCobx??? would be an easier ride than their expensive warmbloods...
 
Leading and manners this year. Get teeth done and then bit next year - I find babies chew rubber bits so go straight for eggbutt with a little of something sweet tasting on it the first time (jam/honey). A bridle that fits is what matters - look on Marketplace or eBay for second hand if you are paying and it isn’t your horse.
 
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