Bit experts please

Stinkbomb

Stinkbomb

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Having only ever hdd a horse for 19 years that wore a snaffle i really dont have any knowledge of bits or their uses etc..

I wondered whether the bit experts could look at these bits and tell me which one is the milder of the bits and why.

They are for Inky my miniature stallion and will be used for driving only. he is only 5 and has only been bitted this year. I want a mild bit for now as he is still only being longreined but want to start with as mild a bit as possible and work up if required.

Also is having a bit with a copper mouth preferable?? If so why? And if you dont think any of these are suitable could you recommned any others??

Many thanks..


BIT ONE..

bit4.jpg


BIT TWO

BIT3.jpg


BIT THREE

BIT2.jpg
 
It half depends on his mouth conformation - not sure what sort of mouths miniatures have. Does he have a low palate? Fleshy tongue/lips etc etc?
 
I dont generally bit my horses, but i have two younsters that need to be bitted because they will be sold or loaned out. I would generally prefer either a french link, or straight bar snaffle, or straight liverpool if its for driving. My two seem to be much happier in the straight bar as it moves less in the mouth. I would prefer this bit, or a french link instead of a single jointed bit as there is less nutcracker action.
It does depend on what your horse is more comfortable in, so i would always think of straight or mullen mouth, or a french link as most mildest.
Some horses do like having the copper mouthpiece, although i hve arely ever used one even when i rode in a bitted bridle. It apparently encourages the horse to salavate and relax his jaw, but again, its what the horse goes best in really. It may be wise to hire the bit first to see if the horse likes it, and let him decide what he prefers.

ps im no bit expert, just my experience.
 
I always used french links on my riding horses and I and they were very happy with them but Ive never found one small enough for a miniature , Ive tried snaffle bits on my minis and they dont really like them al all , theyre much happier with a straight bar
 
Stinkbomb said:
Ive absolsutely no idea!! Not really sure how to compare this??

Jennyharvey -thanks for that, although its hard to hire them as i only use a 3 1/2" bit :)
Click to expand...

I'd poke my hand in there and feel! If his palate is low then a snaffle is a no no - any contact will cause the joint to fit the roof of the mouth. Fat tongue and lips will appreciate a simple, thin mouth piece like a straight bar.

Saying that, the bottom bit is looking good to me - is it a myler? mouth piece looks thin and if it is a myler will have some movement, but not collapse - half way in between the snaffle and the mullen. Also the cheek pieces give you some options of where ot place the reins thus giving a different action.
 
there is no reason why you cant long rein and drive in a loose ring snaffle. (the person on the end of the reins makes the mouth of a young horse) and lots of long reining and voice commands works well for the driving horse. if you start in a basic loose ring or one with a link you have plenty of scope to go up the bit range. speak to abbey in walsall who manufacture all kinds of bits. Good luck, and enjoy. if you get all the basics right there is no need to overbit a driving or riding horse.
 
I would never use a single joint on any youngster, well any horse actually, as they pinch the tongue.

When backing, whether for driving or riding, I always use a low port hanging cheek, myler. As the port dosn't put excessive pressure on the tongue, babys tend to relax to it quicker. And the hanging cheek, with independent side action is great for teaching steering to babys.
Personally, As mini's dont have a lot of room in there mouth, I'd stear clear from a flat, non curved mullen's too, as they have a tendency to squash tongues. Flat mullens are the only bit I've seen to turn a tongue blue!

Out of the 3 pictured, I'd go for bit 3, as its mobile, but wont pinch.
 
zoon said:
I'd poke my hand in there and feel! If his palate is low then a snaffle is a no no - any contact will cause the joint to fit the roof of the mouth. Fat tongue and lips will appreciate a simple, thin mouth piece like a straight bar.

Saying that, the bottom bit is looking good to me - is it a myler? mouth piece looks thin and if it is a myler will have some movement, but not collapse - half way in between the snaffle and the mullen. Also the cheek pieces give you some options of where ot place the reins thus giving a different action.
Click to expand...

Ill have a good poke around later!! Although i might be taking my life into my own hands poking around in Inkys mouth! :)

I emailed the guy about two different bits that looked the same as the third one and he replied:-

"The comfort snaffle has 2 hinge points one on each side of the roller so the bit if you had it in your hand would fold back around and the mullen has a roller in the middle and has a very little flex and I mean very little. Some animals do not like the feel of the bit folding around there mouth that is what the mullen would be for we also have the ported bits that have the raise in the middle for the horse that does not like tongue pressure or that wants to get there tongue over the bit."

The all look the same as bit three, but im totally confused which would be best for Inky?? I need to get it right as i would be importing it from America, so no sending back really!

The bottom bit isnt a myler however i have seen a similar one that is a myler just alot more expensive!! Over $100 more. What would make the myler different??
 
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