Bitting for the first time - which bit and age.

[Kallibear]

What is your prefered bit to use for breaking?

Piper pony is going to have a horrible day tommorow, being bitted for the first time

(actually, i don't think he'll be bothered in the slightest).

I have a huge selection of bits so umming and arring about which one to use.

I know the 'bit of choice' seems to be the rubber straight bar or mullen mouth but I'm not convinced. They aren't a good fit in their mouth, and squash the tounge severely. Mild in terms of 'contact' but then, he's only going to be holding it in his mouth, not have any contact on it.

I'd have thought, of all the bit, the one that would be most comfortable to hold in their mouth (not going to have any contact on it, so 'severity' at isn't an issue) would be the waterford (with rounded bobbles, not square cut) - it's totally mobile and moults to fit in their mouth well........... Plus they can play with it.

At present I'm leaning towards a narrow curved single jointed loosering (Korsteel JP).

Also, what age do you bit at? I'm considering (esp since it's raining right now and tommorows not looking promising!) leaving him until he's older. He's fabulous to lead in just a headcollar so there isn't really any need right now

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

My girl's just been mouthed and backed professionally and the trainer used a loose ring French link. Angel was a tit to begin with because she is 12yrs old and had never been ridden/backed before so she spent a huge amount of time getting her tongue over the bit! The trainer now has grey hair and a drastically reduced life expectancy due to the total frustration and the desire to drown Angel in her own water bucket. But it has all paid off and she is going beautifully with paces and an outline to die for. I'm gonna leave her in this same bit as she's pretty unflappable and I don't think brakes are going to be an issue. I've bought an eggbut though coz I think the risk of pinching is less.

 

[Tia]

Ditto. I tend to use fat hollow french link mouthpieces with either a loose ring or hanging cheek snaffles. I generally use cyprium or Aurigan mouthpieces and my lot seem to like this.

 

[The Original Kao]

i'm going to be bitting a few ponies for the 1st time soon and all the yards i've done youngsters on have always used the same type of bit. the straight bar rubber loose ring.
never had any probs with those, but as i just follow orders i'm watching this in interest as i'll be bitting my youngster soon and i can pick what type of bit i want

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

mine couldnt wait to stuff as many things as possible in her mouth, she was bitted as a yearling a couple of times but then nothing until I got her and she was cool with it straight away.

we used a Happy mouth french link which was ok for bitting but no good for riding as she ate 3 of them in as many weeks (teeth were ok she just likes the taste) so we moved to a sweet iron one which weve stayed with ever since, and shes 5 1/2 now.

 

[Michelle22]

Hi, I would reccommend the training bit, which I use on my youngster.

It is similar to the French link but the lozenge is the other way round reducing the pressure on the tongue and at the sides of the mouth. The one I bought is half copper and half stainless steel so it a goldish colour and does not feel so cold in their mouth.

I bitted him with this at 2 years, and am now riding him in it at 4 years. He seems to have no problems with the bit - so much that he opens his mouth and grabs at it when I bring it out - either that or he loves doing some work. (he is very intelligent). Hope this was of some help.

 

[Bossanova]

I like loose ring lozenge snaffles or nathe straight bars- these are soft and fittet

 

[leo_04]

I used a loose ring jointed snaffle for my youngster, got him used to it at 2 and he was fine. I did put some honey on it the first few times which got him to play with the bit. He's 4 now and just changed to a fulmer snaffle for steering assistance when jumping!