Changing bits regularly - is it bad?

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bex1984

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Is it wrong/bad for my pony to change his bit regularly? Am tring to find out what works and suits us both at the moment and have been trying a dutch gag for a few weeks. It's great for the little jumps that we do as it stops him tanking into them (and me then falling off) but if I use it when schooling/hacking he throws his head down trying to evade it and I'm finding it difficult to canter him.

So: am planning to just use the DG for jumping, and to go back to using a cherry roller snaffle for schooling and hacking (and probably start using a martingale with it).

Are all these changes bad for my pony? Will it confuse and/or upset him? Is it OK to use different bits for different things?

Am calling the horsey dentist tomorrow to book his teeth check in, but in the meantime am going back to the cherry roller as I have a lesson and it would be helpful if we could actually canter!!
 
Hi bex! I dont think it would do him any harm. I jump hattie in a gag and i flat her in a hanging cheek snaffle. the martingale is a good idea aswell.
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Actually its very good - everyone should do it regularly to avoid the nerves on the bars of the mouth going dead.

Its also very good to use different bits for different disciplines, as it avoids unnecessary pressure (i.e. Pulling when the are having a gallop). This helps preserve the sensitive mouth.
 
Its good IMO. Flo has around 6 bits that I alternate with. In fact, they all have several bits each, which explains my HUGE bit collection
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lol.

Flo has-
Myler high wide comfort snaffle with hooks
Straight bar rubber Pelham
French link eggbutt snaffle
NS 12mm snaffle
American Gag
French link loose ring snaffle

She'll wear one bit for around 2 weeks. It stops her leaning and keeps her interested.
 
solo has-

straight happymouth full cheek
straight happy mouth american gag
" " " dutch gag
french link loose ring

what bit i use with him changes every 2 weeks.
 
Agree with everyone else changing is good and a lot of people have flatwork bit and a jumping bit. Far far better to use the milder bit for the things you can do it in than be lazy and use the "harsher" bit for everything.
 
I have to change regularyl as he learns to evade them VERY quickly, I change at least once a month

he varies betweek

Tom Thumg lozenge
Flexi Peanut loose ring
NS Comfy COntact
Waterford Loose ring
 
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