Bitting my youngster - advice pls guys

[scattynuttymare]

I'm going to bit my youngster in the next couple of weeks, I am an experienced owner and have worked with other people asissting them start youngsters and I feel I can manage to do my girl on my own.

However since mentioning it in local tack shops and to various people I've been told I should be putting the bridle on a tying her head to her chest - I'm not sure I like the sound of this or understand the reason behind it, but this is coming from the experts who I look up so to speak.

I had planned on covering the bit with something tasty the first few times and leaving her to play with it whilst I groom her and potter about the yard. Once settle I was going to add elasticated side reins and gently ask her to flex from each side and accept a contact. Then I was going to just teach her to lead in hand with the bridle on - how I did with her head collar.

Does this sound like I was going the right way about it?

Any help and advice appreciated as I'm really doubting my intentions now and wonder if I should send her away for it rather than do it myself

 

[Sunny08]

Carry on your own way in what you are comfortable with. I bitted my youngster with a rubber snaffle at first to give her something that wasn't so cold and hard. My advice would b to not make a big deal of it and treat it as part of your every day process. I don't understand why you would tie her head to her chest~????!!!

 

[scattynuttymare]

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I don't understand why you would tie her head to her chest~????!!!

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I'm glad I'm not the only one, if anybody does know then please shed some light on it for us.

 

[Theresa_F]

No idea about tying down and to be honest I would say it was a bloody stupid thing to do.

I have a very easy going gypsy cob. At 18 months I got him used to the bridle over a few days without the bit and then simply slipped the bit on - I used a rubber inhand bit. Gave him a few polos and 10 minutes in the stable where he munched some hay. For him that was all it took.

Then put the headcollar over the top and had two reins - one on the headcollar and one on the bit and took him round the school. As with everything, he was relaxed and fine.

Next day just put the bridle on and went for a walk down the bridleway. Not all are as quick as easy as this, but if they trust you and are relaxed about life then it should not be difficult or stressful.

I have never used side reins, but did long rein which taught him to accept contact. When starting long reining at 20 months I used a full cheek brass lozenge snaffle which he liked.

Personally strapping down a youngster with anything goes against the grain. My chap didn't have anything on him until nearly 4 when I used a pessola type aid or a bungee very carefully on the low setting and adjusted not to hold him down but encourage him to work long and low to build him up in preparation for doing more ridden work when doing some light lunging.

Result, he works on a light contact, not on the forehand, light as a feather in your hand and in a nice outline working from behind.

Good luck with the bitting.

 

[Kenzo]

I've bitted loads of youngsters, never bothered with keys just a light weight loose ring snaffle, walking them out in it (no contact with the bit though) still lead with rope/headcoller and let them get used to it without any contact what so ever, eating grass/hay etc with no issues.

I would never leave them tied up with a bit in there mouths when instroducing them to a bit, it should be done when you carryng out your routine work with the horse, so you are aware of what he is doing all the time, taking notice of how they mouth the bit and of course keep an eye on the tongue movemnt, also checking with your dentist to make sure the teeth/mouth is ready to accomodate a bit, never had a any problems and all have remained in a snaffle with soft mouths so must be doing something right.

 

[flyingfeet]

I generally start mine in a nathe, as its a lovely soft material and never clanks on the teeth.

Mine might see a chambon when they are established lungeing, but I don't use side reins or any other method where if they trip it jabs them in the mouth and prevents them from putting their head down to balance.

None of my horses have ever had a single jointed bit in their mouths and I have rarely had the need to close their mouths because of this. I am convinced starting them in single jointed snaffle leads to flash nosebands and other gadgets, purely because it does not fit the shape of the horses mouth.