Shetlands and traps

OhCappaGino

OhCappaGino

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Im breaking my 4 year old shetland to trap! Im just unsure at what bit to use?

Can anyone whos has any experience with breaking them to trap - Can you help please! :)
 
When I broke my shetland, when I was lunging and long lining him, I just used a regular snaffle. As soon as we began to do work with the blinkers on, I was advised by Pippa Basset to use a "proper" driving bit, either a double ring snaffle, a liverpool driving bit or the neat little butterfly pelham bits. She said when you are actually asking them to drag a tyre and they are working in blinkers, you need a stronger bit, just in case. My pony never complained.
 
All this "driving bit" nonsense goes back to the 19th century when everyone had horses, and they just stuck anything in its mouth, in the 20th century British Driving Society laid down showing rules, .............. showing in a Liverpool driving bit.
Start off with the one you use for riding [I assume it is broken to ride], and if that is not strong enough go for the butterfly pelham.
Make sure you have two helpers when you first "put to"
Invest in the Heike Bean book on driving, or one by Sally Waldron
 
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I used a Liverpool but only ever on the ring, she never needed any curb action. Also used it with the smooth/flat side against the tongue.
 
I had thought about using a snaffle, i was just unsure about if i was to change it at any point - Thankyou!

Im really excited about starting him, he had his teeth checked to weeks ago so were all set to go! :D

Im even thinking of getting a second and having pairs! Is it more or less just the same as breaking to ride, with just a few tweeks?

In what way did you do it?
 
MrsD123 said:
All this "driving bit" nonsense goes back to the 19th century when everyone had horses, and they just stuck anything in its mouth, in the 20th century British Driving Society laid down showing rules, .............. showing in a Liverpool driving bit.
Start off with the one you use for riding [I assume it is broken to ride], and if that is not strong enough go for the butterfly pelham.
Make sure you have two helpers when you first "put to"
Invest in the Heike Bean book on driving, or one by Sally Waldron
Click to expand...


He isnt broken to ride - Hes had my younger cousins on him riding him round with a headcoller in the paddock - hes not been mouthed yet going to start that this weekend?
 
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