Bitting a horse that's been bitless

C

chotty

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 December 2008
Messages
173
Location
Edinburgh, Scotland
Visit site
Anyone bitted a horse that's been bitless previously?
As recommended by my instructor who's currently schooling my very green loan horse for me to iron out his 'creases' before I start riding him again, we're going to get rid of his hackamore and bit him.

I've asked the owner countless times of why he's in a hackamore in the first place and just get the answer 'he doesn't like a bit'. It's like banging my head off a brick wall. I think what's happened is she's tried him in a bit one time, he's taken a hairy at it and then she's just stuck a hackamore on him. He's rising 7 and she has quite a few the same age as him so I think it's been an easier option for her than to persevere with the bit. I've seen her do the same with another horse recently.

Thinking of starting him off in a French link snaffle? Does this sound okay?
 
I sold a 7 year old that had never had a bit in his mouth, his new owners wanted him for driving, the next day they bitted him no problem, i would try him in the french link, if he hasnt had a bit in his mouth for years, then he just might be ok about it.
 
^ surely if you're loaning out a horse that needs plenty of work and have presumably done little more than back it, that you are trusting the loaners instincts and knowledge to get the horse going right?
 
That's very correct. You would be assuming that as all the 'hard' work is being done by the loaner, they have some say over how they train it.
I was just personally remarking that if someone wanted to change my horses bit or put one in its mouth I'd rather they asked me and disccussed it with me.
Couldn't hurt (:
 
If i loaned my horse out and someone but a bit in his mouth without asking me I'd be furious. Ask the owner first and ask them to explain their reason to go bitless a bit more but personally I think 'he didn't like a bit' is a good reason.
 
Why do you think the horse "needs" to be bitted? What's wrong with the hackamore? Why has using a hackamore been the "easy option"? I'm afraid you come across as a bit arrogant here, maybe that's not intentional but you seem to assume that you and your instructor know best and the horse's owner knows bog all...
 
Last edited:
I think I would find an instructor who understood and accepted bitless I'm afraid. And I would be mortified if I was your loan horse's owner and you bitted a horse I had told you didn't like bits without consulting me. It's a big thing.
 
If I loaned my horse out and she came back bitless I wouldn't bat an eyelid. Perhaps I'm in the minority of people.
 
I've not typed out the full story here, apologies. Owner knows I'm trying a bit, hence me trying to ask her countless times about why he's been in a hackamore, his mouth etc and get no reply. She says that it's up to me and instructor and what we think is best for him as he's loan with view to buy. And so yeah he has 'creases' to iron out which is not by my choice but I'm getting something done about it by someone who is very experienced rather than hand him back 'ruined' if I don't chose to buy him!

Just to add - I took him on almost as a favour to owner as she had so many horses and had SSPCA crawling her over her as had so many reports of neglect etc against her - something I didn't know at first but she seemed desperate. So sorry if I come over as being 'arrogant' but I've had quite an ordeal with her already - especially with her lying about stuff.
 
chotty said:
I've not typed out the full story here, apologies. Owner knows I'm trying a bit, hence me trying to ask her countless times about why he's been in a hackamore, his mouth etc and get no reply. She says that it's up to me and instructor and what we think is best for him as he's loan with view to buy. And so yeah he has 'creases' to iron out which is not by my choice but I'm getting something done about it by someone who is very experienced rather than hand him back 'ruined' if I don't chose to buy him!
Click to expand...

That's fair enough :) But I am still interested to know why you think the horse needs to be bitted and why using a hackamore is an "easy option". Schooling a horse to work correctly in a hackamore takes no less skill or effort than schooling a horse to work correctly in a bit. Sorry, I don't really understand what being in a hackamore has to do with being "ruined".
 
Sorry if you've misunderstood me, I don't think that hackamores are an 'easy option' in the terms of schooling a horse to work in it etc, I was just meaning in terms of her not trying to take the time out to find out why he didn't like the bit/tried a different one/worked on him having it taken in and out - like I said I don't actually know the reason why he doesn't like one/his reaction but I like to think I know her well enough to know that she wouldn't have taken the time to find out either! Hence me saying the hackamore is an 'easy option' for her if you see what I mean? As there's little reason for him to 'reject' it? Not trying to cause any offence over hackamores as I actually really like them and had a mare that went really well in one previously!

Also, he's had no schooling whatsoever so he's not actually been 'schooled' in the hackamore previously, and now that we are schooling him properly he seems to be majorly tucking himself in behind the vertical so my instructor has suggested a bit for him to extend into more? Obviously if it doesn't work we'll stick with the hackamore but she feels like he tries to evade it a bit when she's riding.
 
I'd try a full check with keepers to start with, then either a french link or mullen mouth mouth piece. Keep it nice and soft and simple.

Also I'm assuming you've had a full dental work up to ensure he will be comfortable in a bit.

When I first got my tb he had dreadful teeth that took several dental sessions and several months to get to the point where we could bit him (he had huge ramps so couldn't comfortably take a bit). If the lady has too many horses then it's more than likely that yours won't have had any dental work prior to you getting him and that is why he doesn't like bits.
 
Thanks mnm, will probably go with full cheek as it seems that they're quite popular for helping with steering when first getting bitted :)

And yup he has had denstist. You're right, he hadn't had it for a very long time so teeth were quite sharp!
 
I don't know how strong the horse is, but my gelding - who is very responsive and easy to stop - has been uncomfortable in french links and jointed snaffles and is very happy in a Nathe straight bar snaffle.

There are a lot of good sites and it might be worth contacting one of them for advice and hiring a few bits to see what suits best.

In my experience finding the right bit wasn't a miracle experience - I had to do a lot of ground work and then the right bit just enhanced what we were already doing to make him more comfortable.
 
no probs, the full check will be good especially given he's in a hackamore at the moment so is used to face pressure.
Try and borrow several different bits with different mouth peices to see what he prefers - I simply can't put a french link in my mare because she hates them. It's the first one I tried with her and instantly put her tongue over it and pulled faces over it, she's ok in a single joint but is happiest in a thin mullen mouth. I would also use a mullen mouth with a slight curve rather than a straight bar as it gives some space for the tongue.

Another thing to consider is the width of the mouthpiece as thicker is often not kinder. A low mouth roof and thick tongue is uncomfortable with a thick bit and a thin one will go better. If the dentist didn't say anything see if you can see/feel yourself or ask the dentist if he can remember the mouth conformation of your horse.

Good luck with it all :D
 
chotty said:
Thankyou everyone for your helpful replies!

Bluewhippet - I was thinking of using something like the bit bank so if he doesn't like what I get him I will definitely ask their advice!

I've found this bit http://www.fasttackdirect.co.uk/product-2-19-15227/FULL_CHEEK_FLEXIBLE_MULLEN_SNAFFLE.html

Is this what you all meant? If so, I'll try and find the same one in the local tack shop tomorrow :)


You need to look at your horses mouth conformation before you choose the bit
The bit in the link on your above post would be totally unsuitable and very uncomfortable for a horse with a thick tongue for instance .
The lumpy bit on the mouth piece make it a bit that many horse will find quite harsh. The nylonly stuff it's made out of rubs some horses mouths badly.
I never start horses in cheeks only using them for a short while if I feel it's necessary as I go on , your horse is in ridden work and so may never need the support for turning that cheeks give the just backed weak horse.
Look in your horses mouth decide what you need based on that.
My choice is usually a neue schule of some sort or a kk ultra I normally start of with a loose ring moving but often will change quickly to an eggbutt once I have got the horse ridden a bit.
Please look in your horses mouth before you buy , then perhaps ask advice from the bit bank or from someone you know and trust in this area.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top