Verbindend as first bit?

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zoon

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I have a 3 year old who I plan to start this year - groundwork this year and backing as a 4 year old. He has been bitted as a yearling for futurity with little inhand rubber bit and last year I had a loose ring happy mouth with roller lozenge for him to mouth. Now I want to introduce the bit I am going to start him in (happy mouth is now a little too small and not best shape for his mouth) and happen to have a verbindend in hs size. Any reason not to use ths? Thinking maybe too advanced a bit for him, but not sure why!
 
I'm not sure to be honest! At the end of the day, it is still a just loose ring snaffle with a lozenge so I don't see why not! I actually ride my 5 year old in one. She was started in a KK loose ring with lozenge but it was too bulky for her. She likes the Verbindend as the shape means there is more room for her tongue and she seems to accept a contact really well in it. Have a go, I'm sure you'll soon know if he doesn't like it!
 
Its biggest advantage is you already own it. ;)

I can't see there being a huge problem. I have my preferences for starting horses but they are only preferences, not necessities and i've started horses in a range of snaffles (and side pulls). If it doesn't work then you'll have to go another way but if it does you've saved your money. :)
 
I have the NS starter/training bit (whatever they call it) and to me it looks much like the verbindend- haven't upgraded to one so don't see why the other way round wouldn't work?
 
Our TB found the Verbindend a bit much for her, but has been very happy in the team up. I think, as long as you have educated hands, you shouldn't have a problem with the Verbindend. They have a bit more angle from the lozenge than the starter, but, as other posters have said, you already have it, so no harm to try it out!
 
I sell NS bits at my work and personally would not use a verbindend as a first bit. It is designed for more advanced horse as it picks them up in front more. I use the team up with my horse which encourages them to stretch into and he is competing novice dressage at the mo. I have tried the verbindend on him and I definitely found it picked him up too much at this level. I would advise the team up or starter bit for your horse as you want to encourage him into the contact so you can get long and low rather than up in frame.
 
rara007 said:
I have the NS starter/training bit (whatever they call it) and to me it looks much like the verbindend- haven't upgraded to one so don't see why the other way round wouldn't work?
Click to expand...

The difference is the lozenge is on a completely different angle. My dressage horse is in the verbinund for hacking and my baby is in the NS Starter - since the bridles hang next to each other I get to see the differences!

I would buy the starter myself, they are only about £25-30 on ebay/ BD classifieds now. The angled lozenge would not be my choice for a babies first bit, you don't want pressure from the angle of the lozenge whilst they are trying to learn basic stop and turning signals IMO.
 
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