Chifneys????

[Louby]

Hi,
I'd never used a chifney until a week ago when I had to start walking my box rested horse out and he was bronking on the spot so a chifney was suggested. I have to admit he hates it, clamps his mouth shut, got his tongue over it and although I feel awful, I am gentle and it has made it possible for us to walk out relatively safely.
Just wondered as I'd never had the need to use one before so dont know much about them apart from they look severe, what are the issues with this bit as I seem to read that people dont like or agree with them. Im only using it as he has to walk out as part of his recovery and rearing and bronking are a no no with a fractured leg.

 

[brightmount]

I met up with a friend last week who has recently qualified as a vet, and she told me that they are taught ALWAYS to handle ANY horse in a chifney. I was really surprised at this, knowing most horse owners reactions to chifneys and that in 10 years on my yard I have only come across one owner who has one (and even she rarely uses it).

 

[Jemayni]

I had never used one on my horse either, then he kicked me around the head when he was messing about - now its my safety first! You can cut their mouths with them, and basically they inflict quite a lot of pain if you pull on them!

 

[Louby]

I knew what one looked like and that they were known as 'anti rear' bits but I'd never seen one used before or knew anyone who had one either. Felt quite daft in the horse shop asking if the 5.5 would fit in my 5.75 horses mouth. Daft question I know! LOL

 

[glenruby]

We were taught how to fit and lead with one etc in vet college, but certainly werent told to use them everytime. Most sporthorse yards probably wont have one in their tackroom, but they are commonplace in racing yards - and a vet really should know how to use one and what they are if they end up working with racehorses.

They are very narrow hence why they may be seen as severe. In most cases I just use a staright bar or key training bit attached to the headcollar, but if you have a really bad rearer id give it a try.

 

[Louby]

Im a bit concerned now, I certainly dont know how I should be using it properly although I totally respect the fact that it is severe. My boy is very well behaved usually considering hes been cross tied for over 6 weeks but then he will suddenly squeal followed by small rears and bucks on the spot which is understandable really. This isnt every time we walk out and the chifney was a 'just incase' precaution.
Any tips or advice on the correct use. I know its a bit late asking this now but just having it in his mouth seems to have made him more sensible and has given me the confidence to walk him out as our first time in his usual bridle was a disaster.

 

[JLav]

I've never been on a professional yard that hasn't had a chifney in the tackroom. We also keep one permenantly on the lorry.

I don't know what all the fuss is about and have seen some people be really rough with them (not saying that's right or a good thing to do) and the horses have suffered no ill effects whatsoever. I have never seen one cut a horses mouth.

People over re-act to them and if you have better control over your horse with it then use it and don't worry about it.

 

[glenruby]

They shouldnt cut the mouth since they are rounded - that would be a result of poor craftsmanship. However bruising does occur as can resentment to bitting, however, this doent occur with firm, responisble handling, just roughness and general poor horsemanship.

 

[Maesfen]

I wouldn't be worried about using one and would definitely be using it in your situation!
As you say, he is already being sensible in it and that's a lot of the problem solved for you. Horses do seem to respect them far more than a simple snaffle/mullen mouth bit and as the object of the exercise is to get him walking out safely and sensibly to save that leg, I would carry on regardless.
We were always taught to fit it exactly as a normal bit, perhaps a fraction higher and the lead rope should be clipped to the loose ring at the back; you should walk with a contact but not hold down tight so the horse is able to move his head with his stride but little more and you should have give in your elbows, not hold them rigid; that way he has nothing to fight against which is sometimes when you have problems but you'll still have perfect control. If you feel really worried about using it, then clip the leadrope to the back ring of the headcollar too but make sure the headcollar is low enough not to have the bit at an angle else it will be worse for the horse not better but also, if he susses it is not so severe he might mess about even more which is not what you want.
So glad he's doing so well; my vet wondered how I knew about him being at hospital just told him we all have ways and means!!

 

[rcm_73]

Used gently they are ok. My parents worked in racing where they were commonplace esp to handle young colts / stallions. I had a chestnut TB mare whose fav pastime was to nap and rear, even to get her away from her fieldmates she would consistently nap and rear six months after I bought her. The chifney used correctly with light contact taught her some respect for her handler.

 

[Grey_Arab]

I think the arguement against them is that in teh wrong hands it is possible to break a horse's jaw with them. I knew a girl whos pony was bad to load and so they used a chifney and it just made the pony stand up!

 

[Louby]

Thanks everyone. Feel better now, he walked out like a lamb this morning in that wind and no sedalin for 4 days now.
Chifneys deffinately have there place.
Thanks again

 

[StaceyTanglewood]

in the wrong hands they can be very severe !!!

I use one every day to turn out my youngster otherwise i have his hooves dangling around my ears !!!

I always have one on the yard and take one with me in the lorry x

 

[k9h]

Always use to use them when ever moving stallions. One stallion had his own chiffney that wasn't used on anything else, so only had his own sent on it! His was wrapped in lemtex & the rest of him was wrapped in cotton wool!!! well he was a top SJ selected for the Olympics but unfortunately didnt make it as not sound. He was taken out to the field in it & we always lead in chiffney & carried a whip.
It's the same as anything in the wrong hads can do alot of damage but in the right hands then it is not a bad bit especially as it means that you are safe.
SAFETY COMES FIRST. BE safe & wear a hat to & gloves.

 

[SpruceRI]

Using a Chifney was the only way I could load my youngster safely as she used to get half way up the ramp of the lorry, rear up, spin round and run off with me towed behind. Very dangerous as our lane was a dead end onto a footpath. I put up with 6 months of that, doing the nicely nicely thing and then thought b*gger this. As soon as I put the Chifney in she was a different horse. Led her up the ramp in it, she stopped, thought about rearing, decided against it and loaded!

I loaded her in that chifney every weekend for another 3 months. She was angelic. After that I didn't use it and never have done in the last 10yrs although I still carry it in the trailer I've now got!!

The way I look at it now is that if they're going to injure either you or themselves in b*ggering about, then you should take steps to make sure they behave, be it a Chifney or whatever