Bits? What do you use on your young horses?

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WelshD2011

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Hi guys,

Just wondering what bits your young horses prefer?

I have a turning 5 yo welsh D and I have already tried a few bits to see which he prefers.

I started him off in just a single jointed eggbutt snaffle. Then moved on to a full cheek french link snaffle to help with his steering. It worked wonders. Then I tried a kk French link loose ring and he didn't get on with it. He is now in a straight bar happy mouth eggbutt. Its the best bit he has gone in but he is mouthing and leaning onto it Now.

He isn't very strong, and is quite sensitive. However he does have quite a big tongue so wondering if the straight bar is uncomfortable for him?

Just want him to be comfortable!!

Thanks
 
I would never use a single jointed bit on my horses because they pinch the tongue. I started with a plain French link snaffle but have also tried a hanging cheek snaffle. I am thinking of having the myler lady out because I think he may need a port. I think it's a case of trial and error.

If your horse has a big tongue too he might also need a port.
 
I have 2 youngsters, one in a loose ring French link, the other in a straight happy mouth eggbutt :)

I love mine in straights and most of mine don't lean too badly in them, I have one with a huge fleshy tongue and small mouth who does lean on his but he leans less on it than anything else so it stays!
 
I don't like single joint bits full stop so I wouldn't use one of them

My rising 5yo has a full cheek happy mouth with copper lozenge :)
 
Depends on the horse, for one that needs help taking up the contact i use an eggbut straight bar, if they struggle with contact but can also lean at times i use a loose ring straight bar (nathe)
If they are pretty good with the contact i use a loose ring lozenge, i personally don't like french links as they just look uncomfortable and my horses always seem fussier in them !
I use a fulmer for ones that need help with turning or struggle, the bit can't pull through the mouth which can upset them quite a lot.
my horse goes well in a neule schule demi anky, it's single jointed but has an angle on the mouthpiece to eliminate the nutcracker action, he is fussy with the movement of double jointed bits but goes better with the jointed side action so it's a happy medium!
 
I started my mare in an oval french link because it was mild and she was/is super sensitive. She's still happy with it so that's what we use.
 
I bitted Flicka in a straight bar happy mouth. When I backed her and started using the reins more I found that I needed a bit of steering assistance. Trial and error, she settled in a fulmer jointed happy mouth.
 
I'll generally start them off in a loose ring french link or lozenge, and go from there.

In most cases I've not needed to change that as they've matured and grown up.
 
I originally tried my guy in a straight bar happy mouth and he hated it!

Got him a sweet iron snaffle with a copper french link and he absolutely loves it. He's rising 6 and still in this bit, and he wears it for all activities, including hunting.
 
I start mine in a Nathe straight bar until they are nice and settled in the contact and then move on from there if necessary, I have found that the Nathe bits feel quite different to other makes, which is a pain as they are more expensive! However I have one that is over twenty years old and is still in super condition.

You want the bit as still in the mouth as possible so choose either a hanging cheek or eggbutt cheekpiece regardless of the mouthpiece you choose :)
 
Sukistokes2 said:
I would never use a single jointed bit on my horses because they pinch the tongue. I started with a plain French link snaffle but have also tried a hanging cheek snaffle. I am thinking of having the myler lady out because I think he may need a port. I think it's a case of trial and error.

If your horse has a big tongue too he might also need a port.
Click to expand...

Never ever had a problem with a single joint, the nutcracker actioned is minimal as the side of the face prevents much folding.

Be aware that double jointed bits can bruise the bars of the mouth very easily. It is important to get the smallest link possible in the middle.

OP happy mouths are good but get rough very quickly if the pony chews on it.

I break and school all mine in a single jointed Fulmer and a drop Noseband and the majority over a period of 40+ years have all progressed to a single jointed Eggbutt snaffle and cavesson noseband.
 
Mine hated the lozenge bit I got for her, wouldn't go forward. I don't like french link as the plate can dig into the tongue. The nutcracker action on a single bit only comes into play when both reins are pulled (hard).

Most of mine I've done in curved jointed snaffle.
 
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