Chifney Bits

Horseback Rider

Horseback Rider

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My ex racer ( who I have had for 2 months) was a nightmare to get in and out of the field constantly on 2 legs. Some of our fields lead on to the road or footpaths so have ing control is a must for everyone's safety. I tried his bridle and it made absolutly no difference.

My friend suggested I try her Chiffney in conjunction with the head collar, and he is now liek a different horse. I no longer use the chifney unless on the odd occasion he is playing up. 99% of the time he now walks along like a puppy in his head collar.

I have had horses for years but never used a chifney, when I have emntioned to some of my horsey friends that I have used some have looked at me horror and I have felt they where about to go and call the RSPCA !!!!

I only ever had to give one gentle tug and ever since then different horse to lead.

What are your thoughts are they really cruel ??
 
In the wrong hands and in the hands of inexperienced people chiffney bits can be VERY dangerous.

Edited to add: I used one on Lord when he first arrived to prevent myself being hauled into the road
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The old horse on my yard would only be led ANYWHERE with his chiffney on. He was quite pleasant with it, and really impossible without (he was about 30, but a 30 year old bulldozer, not fast, but determined!). I think that as with most things, they are acceptable if correctly used.
 
I'm certainly not against them if they're necessary for your horse.

I got one with my current horse when I bought him, as it was occasionally used on him when loading. I haven't used it in over two years though as he really doesn't need it anymore! It wasn't an effective "anti-rear" bit for my horse either
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I use one to load my cob, without it she just turns and drags me off, with it she loads perfectly, i have a special very short lead rope on it and i hold it but lead from the headcollar leadrope, so only use it when i need it.
 
I used one with my previous mare who I would take out soemwhere in the trailer and then decide that she would not load to go back home. She would plank her feet and not move. One day someone lent me a chifney and she walked in like a lamb so from that day onwards I always carried one in the car when going out with trailer. Dont particulary like them but they do have a place and serve a purpose.
 
they do serve a purpose and very well! better than being dragged off with or contantly tugging at a bridle! they do command respect and usually get it quickly! with no or little fuss! manners! they are all too big to be bargy and strong, esp the tiny native ones!
 
would not be without mine i have an 18hh heavy hunter and when he decides to go no headcoller on earth will hold him but he knows when he is wearing his chifney he has to respect it and does. same as anything else dangerous in the wrong hands. know someone who loaded a horse and left it tied in lorry on chifney horse paniced and almost broke his jaw
 
i am not against them being used on a horse ONLY WHEN NEEDED, i used one myself on my TB after he had been on pure box rest for 3 months and he was a nightmare ot lead...


however i think in the wrong hands they can be very dangerous and certainly cruel... xxx
 
We use one on our stallion as he can rear without warning on his way out to the field and it just makes it safer for everyone. However before I bought Ruby I went to look at another thoroughbred mare and when the lady went to catch her from the field she clipped a lunge line and a leadrope to her headcollar and when she led the mare out in to the yard she was contantly rearing up and striking out, you couldn't even stroke her, she was not a stressed mare, just calmy and very balanced rearing and I asked the lady if she had ever tried a chifney on her and she looked at me mortified. I thought well surely it makes more sense than risking having your head stoved in every time you handle your horse... so yes I am all for Chifney's x
 
Race horses are routinely handled with chifneys on - they don't tend to dream of handling them without, however well behaved they are as you just never know!!

Hence, when you then used the chifney, your horse undoubtably knew what this was & that he had to behave!

I certainly believe they serve a great purpose, just use with respect and be aware that they are severe. However, it is far safer to be in control!

Good luck
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My old pony could be naughty with the farrier (he was nervous of men generally) but if he had a chifney on he was good as gold. Never had to use it as such, just have it on him - which suggests he had experienced it before and respected it.

I wouldn't use one as a matter of course but as other posters have said, they have their place.
 
I think they are fine in the correct hands.

My dear old TB was fine to turn out but to bring in he was horrific, no legs on the ground etc (this behaviour didn't start until he was about 22!!!!!).

A friend lent me a chifney and the minute we put it on him his face changed. It was like he'd worn one before maybe as a baby, and his facial expression was all 'Bugger it, now you've ruined my fun'!

Never had a moments trouble using that bit, even when you knoew he was in a filthy huff because he thought he had been kept waiting to come in!!!!!
 
My horse is on 6 week's box rest and being walked in hand. Walking him in a pressure collar on the 1st day, he reared, spun and almost picked me up off the ground. I weigh 75kg and my friend who also walks him weighs about 55kg - she would have been thrown around like a rag doll.

In a chifney however he is just like walking a 500kg dog. I mostly have him on a loose contact and if he tries to dive for some grass a gentle flick gets him back. I'd rather give a gentle flick with a strong device than have a tug of war in a mild one. Same goes for bits.
 
I used to use one for my very strong little section D who had no manners when I bought him and used to booger off as he pleased! Gradually I have been able to remove it and now just use dually halter when loading for control only and when leading if he is feeling "jolly"!!
 
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