How many bits?

[moneypit1]

How many bits have you tried with your horse? ( I mean how many have your TRIED, ie, 2 weeks or more). I find it an absolute nightmare. I mean, you need to try each bit at every discipline you do for at least a week or two. BUT, it is possible. Sometimes you need an independant observer. Very tricky, you need a very OPEN mind. xx

 

[Bossanova]

I dont find it that difficult- sometimes it's hard to get the right one for xc without giving it a couple of test runs.

 

[mememe]

in the last two years buster has been through 9 bits. we have now settle on 2 of the 9 (for now!

)!

 

[TiaPony]

*inserts boast face* kept mare in the same bit I bought her in a year ago and she does everything in it

 

[kerilli]

i think it can be tricky, there are so many other variables too.
for e.g. i had a jumping session with my mare today, started with a totally different bit to usual, but had a bucket of bits ready to swap around and try out. bearing in mind that she was almost uncontrollable the other day indoors in a myler triple-barrel combi (which she did PNs in last year fine, and i've seen the vids, she was calm and rideable!), today i went totally the other way and tried a conrad kk lozenge loose-ring, and she was actually better. but, it was outdoors this time...
i had ready: vulcanite pelham, full-cheek waterford, hanging cheek lozenge, myler comfort snaffle combi, and various others! they're still on standby for next time if necessary!
it's a nightmare tbh, unless you really know the horse, to work out what exactly they're over-reacting to at any given time...!

 

[bex1984]

I've used quite a few...

Bog standard snaffle (my very technical name for it!!) - when he first arrived I tried this for a few weeks, but brakes and steering were a bit rubbish!!

Full cheek single jointed snaffle - tried this for quite a while in an attempt to get some steering. It didn't work! The last time I used it he took off across a field and I couldn't stop or turn him.

Cherry roller snaffle - slightly less tanking off with this at first, but then he started ignoring it. One of the very experienced riders at the yard had a fiddle with him and the bit, and suggested it wasn't really working...

Dutch gag - I both fantatsic brakes and steering, but he didn't like it and wouldn't canter.

Pelham - it works!!!

So that's quite a few considering I've not had him a year yet! But I do think we've found a good bit now - although if necessary I would try another (I have a kimblewick sitting in my tack box!).

I think trial and error is invaluable with bits, they can have such an effect on a horse.

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

I change my bits regularly about once a month as H learns very early on to halg on them, no matter what I do, I have a collection of 11, but the most used are

eggbut revolver snaffle, used today for first time
NS loose ring veribend lozenge, used for month upto today
Tom Thumb lozenge with 2 reins (english version)
Loose ring waterford

 

[katie_and_toto]

Too many!

Eggbutt snaffle
Loose ring snaffle
Waterford snaffle
Pelham
Dutch gag
Balding gag
Cheltenham gag
Hanging cheek snaffle
Tom Thumb
Beval snaffle
And probably some more which I've forgotten

He's currently in a Myler comfort snaffle and is going well!