Pee Wee bit... Talk about a change!

[cundlegreen]

I have a new mare here, back in work at the age of 9 after having two babies. I bought her unseen apart from a video from Ireland. When I started riding her, it became apparent that she had no brakes, and limited steering. I found that her teeth were sharp, so had them done, and they were very sharp, so obviously I made allowances for that. I gave her a couple of days off to get her mouth settled down, then tried her in a hanging french link. A bit better when schooling, but, BOY!! when jumping just canter poles, she did her best goose impression, and charged off. I've ridden and reschooled a lot of horses over the years, but she had the deadest mouth ever.
So, today, I decided to try her in a Pee Wee bit that I've had hanging around here for ages. Having read comments on forums about the bit, most people said that it didn't work out hacking. I boxed her up to the forestry with another horse, and expected to get carted for england! Within 5 minutes, she was mouthing and relaxing her jaw, and I finally got a civilised canter strike off without the fast trot and goose effect first. I am amazed just how much difference this bit made to her way of going, although I did have to be very symphathetic with my hands when she "gave" to me. She's quite a high strung mare and closing her mouth with a flash wasn't an option, as I found too much pressure on her can cause a half rear.
Hopefully now, she will get the hang of relaxing her jaw and I can put her into something else for dressage. Just though I'd share with you, as it was such a change in her behaviour.

 

[soulfull]

interesting. Not a bit I am familiar with using. glad you found one that you are both happy with. I have often upped the anti bit wise to help a horse and NEVER had a problem coming back to a snaffle once they understand what you want

 

[el_Snowflakes]

That's brilliant! glad you found something that works. I bet you enjoyed your ride out

interesting. Not a bit I am familiar with using. glad you found one that you are both happy with. I have often upped the anti bit wise to help a horse and NEVER had a problem coming back to a snaffle once they understand what you want

Great to hear that you never had problems going back to a snaffle. I have a bit of a mental block with stronger bits, I always try to school in a snaffle & my instructor advised sometimes switching to something stronger from time to time as a reminder - something which im normally reluctant to do!

 

[Tnavas]

Great that your horse is happy in her new bit.

Something that I try to pass on to others is that a bit is not necessarily stronger but that it works in a different way.

 

[TarrSteps]

Great that your horse is happy in her new bit.

Something that I try to pass on to others is that a bit is not necessarily stronger but that it works in a different way.

This is definitely true of the PeeWee, although it is quite a thin diameter.

 

[el_Snowflakes]

Great that your horse is happy in her new bit.

Something that I try to pass on to others is that a bit is not necessarily stronger but that it works in a different way.

Yes definitely true

 

[cundlegreen]

Great that your horse is happy in her new bit.

Something that I try to pass on to others is that a bit is not necessarily stronger but that it works in a different way.

Absolutely right! The interesting thing for me, and I have a whole arsenal of snaffles that I could try, was that the mare simply would or could not relax her jaw to pressure, and therefore didn't mouth up at all. Ten minutes in this bit, and everything fell into place. Today, an event rider came and tried her over some poles and a small jump. She was coming off the corner, going into "goose" mode (neck stretched out and jaw locked), and then suddenly relaxing and doing her jumps properly. Certainly the first step in remaking her. The one thing that the event rider and I found, is that its almost too much, and you have to be really quick to give to the horse as she gives to you. I wouldn't care to event in one of these bits, as it could be too extreme due to the thin mouth piece.

 

[TarrSteps]

I think the trick is to think of bits as tools to do specific jobs. So long as you have the right tool at the right time for the job then you're good. I have a selection of bits I like that have very specific actions and speak to the horse in a way that can break a cycle of misunderstanding or poor training. Sometimes it's only a case of a couple of rides. Sometimes it's something the horse only needs in certain circumstances. If I need something tricky all the time then I start to worry.

I'm also a big fan of horses spending time in a side pull under certain circumstances.

The only qualifier I would say though, is I HAVE met a fair number of horses that have been worked continuously in leverage bits on contact and have become unridably strong. It stands to reason that if you are constantly applying considerable force you're going to make the horse stronger. Leaving aside any possible dressage option for such horses, I do worry what effect that sort of continual force might have on the delicate structures of the horse's driving mechanisms and top line.

 

[Sol]

Love my PeeWee, it's paid for itself 10x over, keep meaning to buy a 2nd. Never had a problem with it at all! If it helps as far as dressage legal bits, my lad (who jumps in the PeeWee because he tends to get erm, a bit much for me, especially in winter!) likes Myler types, he didn't like a hanging cheek much, but he's usually in his Billy Allen D-ring which is ever so slightly thicker than the Mylers, or he's got a Myler style bradoon that he likes too. A normal mullen mouth was ok, but a bit 'dull' & heavy feeling, the Myler style barrel mouthpieces seem good for both of us I would love a tiny one for my Sec A (who also likes the PeeWee) but I haven't got around to trying them with him yet.

 

[myra46]

Love my PeeWee, it's paid for itself 10x over, keep meaning to buy a 2nd. Never had a problem with it at all! If it helps as far as dressage legal bits, my lad (who jumps in the PeeWee because he tends to get erm, a bit much for me, especially in winter!) likes Myler types, he didn't like a hanging cheek much, but he's usually in his Billy Allen D-ring which is ever so slightly thicker than the Mylers, or he's got a Myler style bradoon that he likes too. A normal mullen mouth was ok, but a bit 'dull' & heavy feeling, the Myler style barrel mouthpieces seem good for both of us I would love a tiny one for my Sec A (who also likes the PeeWee) but I haven't got around to trying them with him yet.

A pee wee bit has a been recommended to me but because of the very thin mouthpiece I am worried it might be too harsh. What is your opinion of the bit. Thanks