Do horses "get used" to bits?

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skewby

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My lad has never truly accepted a bit (sad, I know
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) and our relationship is all about him trying to go, and me trying to get him to stop (he is fab but very onward bound - part of what makes him fab!). I have tried everything and eventually returned to a snaffle and cavesson for hacking, jumping and schooling, and a snaffle and kineton for fun rides.

Last week I took him hunting for the first time, and we both had an absolute ball. But, of course, couldn't stop. I have since schooled in a pelham with two reins, to see if it had an effect - oh yes it did (debatable whether we'd have brakes, but I would be able to perhaps lift him off his forehand a bit). My instructor said don't put it in all the time, just for hunting, so it has an effect. I think she's right - but hunting has also livened him up even more, and I went for a hack today with a friend and ended up cantering up the (asphalt!) drive home! I wondered whether to put the pelham in full time if it gave me more brakes - but I really don't want to lose any impact I may have on the hunting field next time, when I will really need it! Thoughts? Thanks.
 
what bits have you tried. My horse always got used to bits I used for hacking (he used to be an absulute nutcase!) so I would use one bit for a month, then another for a month. SO he never had time to get used to one!

What bits have you tried? I tried SO many different bits on my strong 17.1hh! in the end he now goes best in a NS universal and grackle, which has been like a miracle bit for me.
 
I ride in my pelham regularly, inc SJ, SJ lessons, XC and hacking. I then stick it back in for hunting. Infact I probably ride it in more often than a snaffle!
 
JessPickle I would sooo love to find a "miracle bit"! I have tried a waterford gag (cos he leans like nobody's business, that's how he gets the better of me, leans on everything and takes off) but he hated it and to be honest it had no effect, even when I ended up riding with one rein on the 3rd ring. Pelham with roundings was the only thing that worked at all, still had no brakes but if I tightened the curb as much as I could (I know! Bad!) then at least I could type at work the next day. Other than that, myler snaffle, and ns lozenge with kineton helped a weensy bit, but not really. Instructor has taught me to stop with my body but it still takes a loooong time for us to stop (unless I turn him at something
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) but at least I am stopping, I suppose...
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Little Cob hacks in a Pelham as gives daughter brakes, but schools most of the time in a hanging cheek bouchon (sp?).

Be careful when you change bits: tried new girlie in a Pelham for a hack after she was used to a Happy Mouth (straight bar with two nobbly sections - don't know the name of it). Bad idea
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Have a look at Dr Cooks Bitlessbridle website, here is the link http://www.bitlessbridle.com/
I have had the problems you have described and once I began to really research bits and then Dr Cooks work the end result is that we have no more pulling horses. His website is large but if you spend time reading all the case histories I suspect you will them be tempted to try his bitlessbridle. Let me know if you have any further questions regarding it.
You can also look at this page on our website which has a summary on the Bitlessbridle.

Sarah Bell
Successful Natural Horsecare
 
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