Response to : Do showjumpers overbit their horses?

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lea

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This brings back memories of a post that I submitted last year. I showjump my mare and I got criticised for using a rubber pelham 'should be jumping au natural in a snaffle I got told'. Well jumping does take precison and in a pelham my mare is soo light and I can lengthen, shorten and turn on a sixpence. I do ride in a snaffle for flatwork but jumping turns her into a different horse and she is really strong. I think it is nicer to see a horse and rider in a good rhythm than being being in a constant battle!
 
Well, I'm like you; I like instant response from PF and she CAN get a bit opinionated when jumping. She's very rideable in a straight bar happy mouth snaffle, but I use a gag or (more recently) a tom thumb french link to keep her attention
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She goes brilliantly in them and no squabbling!
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True, better to see a horse in a bit it respects and used properly and well by the rider than a snaffle (which is commonly misconceived as a mild bit) and constantly pulling and fighting.

Any bit in the wrong hands is a harsh bit!
 
I event and BSJA my main horse in a basic Myler snaffle with no problems at all. Its the only bit I ever use on him. He's very rarely strong though (he barely pulls, even XC).

Whereas my other horse, who is an opinionated Welsh Cob goes best in a kimblewick. He is terrible in a snaffle, well I mean he will go in one for dressage if he has to but it just doesnt seem to suit him. He acts unfomfortable in one (no matter which kind I try).

I think the snaffle is still a mild bit IF its the right one! I hate the traditional nutcracker one and never use it, but I love my Myler snaffle which has a barrel bit in the middle - my horse loves it. IMO you couldnt get much milder that this bit.

I agree its not nice to see someone pulling and yanking in a mild bit. But I think too many people then jump the other way and put them in too severe bits! I know local teenagers who found their horse a bit strong in a snaffle so they wack them straight into a dutch gag (on the bottom hole) - I HATE that. They dont even consider to try different styles of snaffle first or at least try the gag on a higher hole first etc.
 
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I event and BSJA my main horse in a basic Myler snaffle with no problems at all. Its the only bit I ever use on him. He's very rarely strong though (he barely pulls, even XC).

Whereas my other horse, who is an opinionated Welsh Cob goes best in a kimblewick. He is terrible in a snaffle, well I mean he will go in one for dressage if he has to but it just doesnt seem to suit him. He acts unfomfortable in one (no matter which kind I try).

I think the snaffle is still a mild bit IF its the right one! I hate the traditional nutcracker one and never use it, but I love my Myler snaffle which has a barrel bit in the middle - my horse loves it. IMO you couldnt get much milder that this bit.

I agree its not nice to see someone pulling and yanking in a mild bit. But I think too many people then jump the other way and put them in too severe bits! I know local teenagers who found their horse a bit strong in a snaffle so they wack them straight into a dutch gag (on the bottom hole) - I HATE that. They dont even consider to try different styles of snaffle first or at least try the gag on a higher hole first etc.

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yes the teenager and the dutch gag and dont forget that has to go with a grackle as well !!! not that any of there horses or ponies need them - i think they are like fashion statements !!
 
We have a lot of BSJA shows at my yard and you do get a small number who turn up with the most god-awful pieces of ironwork in the horse's mouth, the biggest spurs you can legally wear and a heft beating stick. They usually have a teams of chunky grooms to restrain the wild animal whilst they mount.

If they could get away with it, I think their bits would be made of barbed wire and be connected to high voltage batteries...
 
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