driving question

[Sparkles]

Possibly daft question....but is there any need for a specific driving bit to be used? Or is it acceptable to stick to your usual snaffle?

I know if its ridden I'd say stick to what you need and don't use more if you need to.....wondered if the same applied to driving?

Never thought about it really till doing my own lad.

Sound a numpty for asking!!!

 

[Smogul]

Depends on the horse. I have twice had ridden horses broken for driving late on in life and both were driven in their usual snaffle bit, even at competitions.

 

[Sparkles]

I was presuming so. We do everything snaffle or bitless normally and is very soft - we have no problems and really not wanting to put anything stronger in for driving if didn't have to! No showing driving atm, only pleasure.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

No just use the snaffle with loose rings for breaking, you will see many drivers of ponies use a butterfly bit but for horses they may use something like the standard driving bit with a piece of tube joining the shanks to stop them catching. Why not go to a carriage driving event some time? They need volunteers, its fun.
The BDS are a bit formal esp for showing at county level and so on, but scurry drivers and competition drivers use what is best for the job.
http://www.britishcarriagedriving.co.uk/introduction/clip_windsor_2010.htm

 

[Sparkles]

Thanks �� not sure where there are any local to me, I'll have a browse on the bds website I work Saturdays which limits any events to Sundays unfortunately.

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

http://www.britishcarriagedriving.co.uk/
the BHDTA are competition, the BDS are showing types
in scotland there are drive outs organised for members.
this is better for headshots
http://www.britishcarriagedriving.co.uk/introduction/clip_sandringham_2010.htm

 

[Sparkles]

Thanks kindly ��

 

[Equi]

I use a French link bevel but have used a snaffle too.

 

[taraj]

We broke our little traditional to drive in his French link snaffle. A family friend who is very into driving nearly had a fit and said we shouldn't be driving the pony without a curbed bit as the bit is the only contact we have with the horse, not like when riding we have legs/seat to help control the horse. The pony is very soft in the mouth but we did find him a nice neat zilco happy mouth Liverpool with a leather curb strap that he liked. He also said that you have to be careful that nothing gets caught in the bit rings (i.e snaffle has bit circles, easy to get end of shafts ect caught in).

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

We broke our little traditional to drive in his French link snaffle. A family friend who is very into driving nearly had a fit and said we shouldn't be driving the pony without a curbed bit as the bit is the only contact we have with the horse, not like when riding we have legs/seat to help control the horse. The pony is very soft in the mouth but we did find him a nice neat zilco happy mouth Liverpool with a leather curb strap that he liked. He also said that you have to be careful that nothing gets caught in the bit rings (i.e snaffle has bit circles, easy to get end of shafts ect caught in).

That will be why a butterly bit is used, the holes are small yet it has cheek pieces but no parts to get caught up. I don't think a curb chain is standard.

 

[kirstys 1]

Both mine drive in their ridden snaffles, but we only do pleasure driving - may be frowned on in the show ring?

 

[kirstys 1]

He also said that you have to be careful that nothing gets caught in the bit rings (i.e snaffle has bit circles, easy to get end of shafts ect caught in).

Makes sense.

 

[neddy man]

a lot of driving people use the liverpool bit ,(you can take the curb chain off if you wish)

 

[Dexydoodle]

My friend who drives a lot would say to always use a driving bit. In his view, riding bits are fine whilst all is going well but not enough if it doesn't. When we first tried driving my mare we tried her in a Pelham (normally ridden in a snaffle) and then ended up in a Wilson snaffle. Didnt affect her mouth ridden wise at all

 

[rara007]

I've driven in snaffles, butterfly's and Liverpools amongst others. There's a handful of top class national HDT competitors who swear by 'pure' snaffles but I tend to revert back to a Liverpool, even if on the ring and no curb, just so you have options in the future. I don't think they disturb the blinkers so much IMO either but not sure how that works! You can get them in any mouth piece Lots of the continental single drivers marathon in a snaffle, but dressage and cones in curbs.

My ponies that drive in curbs still ride in snaffles when needed

 

[happyclappy]

No, there is no need to use a specific driving bit. Against the BDS rules, I even drive one of mine bitless. I can't attend events bitless but have 100% trust in my mare.

 

[pennyturner]

On a good contact, with a good horse, then either work fine. But, consider that you only have a direct rein aid, and you're a long way from the front, so avoid any snaffle which could pull easily through the mouth, or one whose action is greatly influenced by head position, since you cannot vary the position of your 'hands'. Nothing which could get caught on shafts, obviously.

Horses seem to be happy enough changing bit for the new job. I haven't had a riding horse yet who didn't just accept the change to a soft cheek liverpool.

 

[dollyanna]

Bear in mind as well that there is a lot more leverage on a single jointed bit because of the length of the reins, and a possibly altered angle because it goes through harness rather than to the hands first, so double joints or no joints are more likely to be comfortable and give less potential damage.

 

[hackneylass2]

I agree with everything Pennyturner said. My mare adapted from a snaffle to a soft cheek Liverpool just fine.

 

[Sparkles]

It's double jointed full cheek, I don't use single jointed for that reason in general.

I'll see how we go, if we do a bit more I'll invest in a driving bit.

Best suggestion for bit type for small sized cobby mouth but very fleshy and not much room?

 

[rara007]

People do but I wouldn't use a full cheek in harness, half cheeks are more suited to the job. I have seen people use full cheeks but generally on experienced ponies they know won't rub and get caught up.