To be honest, I have no idea what a bit is.

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Berkeley

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I hold my hands up - I have absolutely no idea what they do, what's best for which horse, why there are so many. I have tried reading about them and understanding them but about 5 minutes later I forget. Its too overwleming. I read on here sometimes about people not knowing which to get and have named the ones they are considering - I am not even at that stage!

Am I the only one?! Its not ignorance I promise, its a mental block - like maths.

My TB ex racer is in a 'egg butt snaffle' and my youngster has a plastic thing which the shop keeper said was good for training. I know I need to get him something else now he is being brought on but I have no idea what (plus I was told this!).

As for my mare, she's as strong as hell, I have blisters everytime we return from a ride. She won't stop when she's in full flow either. There must be something out there I could use for her (other than leg on and a whip!)

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Well understanding the basics of how a bit works is pretty important to riding correctly and doing your horse justice so I think you need to get learning.

A good basic book with some pictures will help you learn the names and the basic actions.

There is a good website about bits and nosebands and gadgets too that I have seen referred to on here. That explains a bit about the mechanism of the various bits which is actually far more important than the names! Blowed if I can remember the name of the site though!!!!
 
I think it can be over whelming because the bit market has increased so drastically over the past 10 - 20 years.

When I was a little one you got snaffle (loose or egg butt) pelhams or kimblewicks. End of. You need to know those three, how to put them on and what they did.

Then they brought out the gag, mainly the 3 loop snaffle to begin with (aka Dutch gag) with the not as popluar American gag.

In the past 5 - 10 years the research into the mouth piece has increase so now you have a huge choice of mouth piece from different brands.

I wouldn't take advice from a shop owner, how do you know what experience they have? I'm sure there are plenty of people on here who start youngsters and would provide you with advice on which bit is a good starting place.

As for the strong horse, what do you ride in just now? What is the horses head conformation like? eg Cob or hot blood?
 
I ride a TB mare. her conformation is not bad, if you ask her she'll go on the bit, although it does depend on her mood. She's an 18yr old ex racer - not much hope!?
 
Is this the horse in your siggie? she has her mouth open in the pic on the right which might mean she's not keep on the mouth piece she in just now.

I quite like the myler comfort snaffle to start with but I know a fair few people who can't stand myler, they are a bit expensive! you could try a lozenge snaffle, it might make her more comforatble? It probably the cheapest option to try. I wouldn't worry about her 'going on the biti' and focus more on trying to get her active through her back, once she's happy in her mouth she will naturally lower her head and make an outline. Trying to force an outline will just cause resistance.
 
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I ride a TB mare. her conformation is not bad, if you ask her she'll go on the bit, although it does depend on her mood. She's an 18yr old ex racer - not much hope!?

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Ok andd what does she do to try and evade? Lean? Open her mouth? Throw her head? Stargaze? Tuck her head in behind the bit? Put her head down? Take hold of the bit in her teeth? What bit is she is now?

Depending upon what she does a different bit will be more suitable, but there is no right answer, just lots of possibilities. The key is to understand how the bit acts.
 
You say you get blisters (!) from riding her, she'd probably be better off in a stronger bit being puller much less than in a snaffle and you pulling at her the whole time....which is no fun for either of you
 
I think you need to find yourself a good trainer and take their advice on bits, and on bringing on your young horse, and also in helping you learn to ride your mare in a more controlled manner.
 
If she's opening her mouth I'd go for a french link or lozenge snaffle as a first try (you could borrow one rather than buying) mouth opening can be caused by the "nutcracker" action of a single jointed bit.

Has she had her teeth done recently? It would be worth chatting to your EDT about her mouth conformation as this can affect the bit as they can have less space in their mouth or a fleshy tongue that can get pinched.
 
OP, if you get blisters from riding her, you are having a tug-of-war... and it takes 2 to do that. a good instructor will break the habit for you so you can improve things for your mare. however much it hurts your hands, it'll be hurting her mouth a lot more, and an eggbutt snaffle is not a mild bit in strong heavy hands... and TBs tend to accelerate into pressure/pain, so it becomes a vicious circle.
as for the plethora of bits - there are a limited number of types actually (snaffle, pelham, gag, etc) and once you find that a certain type suits your horse, then it's often a case of trial and error to discover which mouthpiece suits that horse (and your hands and way of riding)
 
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