Question on Western Riding/Bits

[jesterfaerie]

I was wondering if anyone could possible help me on this.
I have just been watching a program where two tv presenters go to the USA and take part in activites such as western riding. And both are complete novices at riding yet the horses seem to be in a bit similar to the american gag with long shanks. I have also seen this on the USA version of wife swap where they were teaching kids using the same sort of bit.

I was wondering what sort of bit this is and whether it really is suitable in novice hands as I woudln't say gags like the cheltenham/american gag are for novices but that may just be me.

So yep just wondering what sort of bit it is and how it works.

Thanks

 

[WFL]

They ride with a totally different contact (by rein weighting) and head carriage (low), so need the stronger bit. Used in an English style, a novice would pull the horse's teeth out!

 

[Enfys]

It doesn't matter what bit I ride my paint in, snaffle or curb, if I touched the rein with anything approaching an accepted english contact I would be reversing into the next county in a cloud of dust.

A well trained horse relies more on weight and leg aids than the bit, I don't ride many other western trained horses so can only say what my mare is like, but the merest touch on the rein will elicit an immediate response. Quite difficult to become accustomed to after spending years being told to take a contact.

 

[Daphnelia]

I have been told that what bit to use on a western horse it based on its age, at least with regard to showing. But a bit with shanks is the advanced bit, a snaffle bit before that and often a bitless bridle to start training.
As has been said a western horse is ridden with little contact and weight and neck aids, so I am sure it is fine as long as the child is supervised for it to be riding the horse in this bit.

 

[Tia]

You're right Daphnelia - that is exactly the way western horses are brought on.

A long shanked curb bit takes a whole load longer to come into effect than a short shanked curb bit, however once it does, it is very effective. You need barely any contact with a western horse so a long shanked bit gives the horse a bit more breathing and thinking space.

 

[Daphnelia]

Ooh fabulous - I have been doing my reading you see