following on from bit question...

[madhector]

...which bit do you prefer for youngsters?

just interested really, my chap has been broken in a loose ring snaffle by his old owner, i am thinking of using a loose ring lozonge, but what i would really like to use is a full cheek version (will see how we go, but may end up investing in one)

what about everyone else?

 

[Super_Kat]

Full cheek french link or a full cheek happy mouth.

 

[Nailed]

Loose ring french link with sweet iron mouth peice, Teaches the horse not to fear movement of the bit in the mouth as this is once of the most mobile bits.

At the same time it encourages salivation and as we all know, salivation is the key to the horses mouth.
Lou x

 

[Partoow]

I would be careful with the fulmer as it can encouage horses to hang on the side of the bit.
Probably better would be a nice eggbutt, gives some cheek support but not too much. A really exellent bit is the pinchless bit that i have found exellent with quite a few of my young horses Derby house at Olney have them and they also have a web site pinchlessbits.com.
Try and look at the horses conformation of his mouth. I have made the mistake of using a gentle thick bit but the horse has hated it because he had a small mouth and quite fleshy lips and tounge. Your dentist will prob be good to talk to on this matter.
I have also found that some young horses like to hang a bit in the losenge bits so then i will use the pinchless bit [single joint]

 

[flyingfeet]

I always start in a straight bar nathe - its a lovely material to introduce horses (not to be confused with horrible 'happy mouth' )

 

[Eceni]

Neue Schule or KK ULtra, but one day will go bitless - why use iron in their mouths if you can communicate with seat and leg aids. There's an interesting letter in this month's BD Magazine from a woman who's gone bitless and has her horse moving better into the 'bit' than it has ever done. Can't compete, of course, but maybe one day...

E