western riders opinions needed pleeeease!!

A

Abz88

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 January 2012
Messages
227
Location
hampshire
Visit site
Hello all,

I have been teaching my girl the western kit/riding. I decided this as she is so sensative/light to ride english, I thought she'd take to it well. I got the saddle (which was a pony eating saddle for the first few meets!) but she has taken to it fine now. I also (probably wrongly) was tryin g to teach her the 'long rein' style of western. She too to this (likes her head and also is very sentative to seat and voice commands). So, I decided to get her a western bridle and bit (the bit is a happy mouth western, very simple design, but thought would be a good starting point). Anyway,....as usual (my laid back girly) was confused but happy without the noseband on the bridle. I added the bit and,...well,....she constantly tried dropping it and spitting it out! I have ridden her in a straight bit before and she's been fine. But because the cheak strap is quite 'lose' for the bit to come forward, she seems to think it isnt in right and wont accept it. So I had to tighten the cheak strap as per usual english style, then she was ok, but the bit then doesnt work in the way it should. A bit confused as to what to do now! Any ideas very welcome, or critisism that I am doing something wrong!!
 
Is the bit a curb or a snaffle ? We tend to start babies/novice horses in a plain sweet iron snaffle with either a two or three piece mouthpiece or a sidepull/bosal. A curb bit is only used when the horse is fairly educated, which is some years down the line. A curb should never be used as a first bit, it will only frighten and thoroughly confuse your horse.

If you visit www.wes-uk.com you will find a list of qualified intructors and also lists of shows and clinics up and down the country.
 
You haven't said what sort of bit you are using, other than that the mouthpiece is happy mouth. We used to use single jointed snaffles or myler or ported curb bits depending on the level of training of the horse. As your horse is a novice you would want to either be in a hackamore (bosal) or a jointed snaffle. The double jointed snaffle isn't really used in western riding as horses aren't ridden to a contact like in English so there is no nutcracker action.
If you have a straight bar snaffle you will struggle to isolate left and right to steer, regardless of whether you are riding with one or two hands. However, you do need to ride two handed in a snaffle but with your reins bridged.
Curb bits and riding one handed is only for when you and your horse are more advanced.
 
The western-style riders that I ride with fit the bit with regard to the horse's mouth. So rather than having a visual idea of having the bit lower in the mouth than english-style, they would look at how the bit sits in the mouth, find out where it is comfortable for the horse, and set it there. It sounds to me as if maybe you've got it too low, or the bit just doesn't suit her.
I ride vaquero style, so would tend to have the reins bridged in one hand, but if I take up the rein it is one at a time, if that makes sense. So a jointed snaffle can be great because you shouldn't ever be giving a nutcracker action and if you do lift up on one rein, it's clear. I use a Rockin' S french link snaffle.
I don't know if Rhandir agrees with me, but I think bosals can be quite severe when used by someone who maybe doesn't understand their action. So if you're starting out I'd tend to avoid bosals.
 
Tinypony said:
The western-style riders that I ride with fit the bit with regard to the horse's mouth. So rather than having a visual idea of having the bit lower in the mouth than english-style, they would look at how the bit sits in the mouth, find out where it is comfortable for the horse, and set it there. It sounds to me as if maybe you've got it too low, or the bit just doesn't suit her.
I ride vaquero style, so would tend to have the reins bridged in one hand, but if I take up the rein it is one at a time, if that makes sense. So a jointed snaffle can be great because you shouldn't ever be giving a nutcracker action and if you do lift up on one rein, it's clear. I use a Rockin' S french link snaffle.
I don't know if Rhandir agrees with me, but I think bosals can be quite severe when used by someone who maybe doesn't understand their action. So if you're starting out I'd tend to avoid bosals.
Click to expand...

Yes, totally agree with the bosal comment which is why I suggested an approved instructor. It so happens that there is an excellent instructor called Michael Langford in the same county as the op. I'm hoping that she might at least pay a visit to one of the many clinics at Wye Oak or better still take a lesson with Michael.

My main concern at the moment is that it sounds from the op's decription she is using a curb bit which are often supplied when a "set" of western tack is purchased. Most people who have no experience of western riding seem to assume that the horse has to wear a curb bit from the word go ... which is a very long way from the truth.
 
Totally agree with Tinypony and Rhandir: Tack (Western or otherwise) is only a communication tool. If you fit it and use it loose and floppy, all you are doing is diluting communication channels. First rule of thumb: make sure the tack you are using fits properly and maps to your horse's current level of training in your previous work. Western riding isn't about riding around on a loose contact (although that may be an outcome of effective training), it is about teaching your horse through pressure and release to carry itself and perform in a certain way with minimum interference from the rider when things are going well. That's a lot of training... But good luck and have fun, and do look up your more local instructors, they are out there!
 
Agree with the above

I have many wester bits but I tend to school in a rope snaffle , its brass and my boy and girl seem to go well with it.


I use to use the Pro Reiner still but more so the snaffle

I would stick to a snaffle first let her get used to the bridle too.


My boy also found the slip ear very odd at first now he is relaxed in it.

Western is not only about a different type or movements and schooling . Its about patience and taking time getting one movement right before moving to the next. Start by simple circles getting them used to western equipment.

I was getting seriously into the progress side . But decided to spend a while finishing my interest in sponsored rides then go back into western showing .
My lami mare had to cut short this due to her problem. So I decided to sell some of my stuff I bought in the USA cinch- show shirt- silver trimmings- wrangle pants .

I still have my saddle and 2 bridles etc . I love riding western its so comfortable . Specially on my mare , she loves the paces and does them naturally on her own in the field and out hacking .
She does the lope brilliantly and the jog . In fact you can say JOGGGGING on the lunge then TROTTTTING and you can see her switch from one to the other and back again.



As mentioned the Bosal is and can be very hard specially if the horse has never gone in the hackamore either.

Bob Mayhew gave some good training days , I enjoyed them allot

There are many types of bridle shown here is a black slip ear and the saddle is a BOB's saddle .
diamond004.jpg
.

Its important to start your horse of slowly in easy gear first before introducing bits with curbs or bits like the Pro reiner :D

Western Riding is fun .....................but hard work to to get perfection in what you do .

It is a good way to teach the horse to move the way you want through the body and pressure through the rein rather than the pull of English reins .

before the Lami my mare was working on the indirect and direct snake trail
 
Last edited:
My friends with a QH stud in the US always start a horse in a snaffle, spade bits only on experienced horses to refine aids.
 
Nice thread, lots of friendly advice there Op, I would agree with the others, it would be worth spending some time with a nice, kind trainer.
I'm excitedly waiting for two made to measure rope bosals from Lodge Ropes, a new design that he's trying out (not the half bosal he sells regularly). A bit softer than what we'd normally expect from a bosal, he says he's having great results with them.
Tackwise I'm Wenglish, a right mess. Western bridle, Rockin S bit, dressage saddle... !!
p.s. Is there such thing as a happy mouth curb bit?
 
Last edited:
Yes, there is such a thing as a happy mouth western curb, but so far I've only found snaffle mouth ones. Could the op possibly post a pic of the western happy mouth she has as the type of mouthpiece will determine where it should sit in the mouth.

However, if it is indeed a curb bit, one that requires a strap under the chin, i would suggest that it would be too severe for the level of training she is at and recommend that she switches to a plain old snaffle.
 
Hello,

Thank you for all of your comments. It's good listening to others and their experiences and what they have found useful/not so. I think my best bet by the sounds of it is to have a few lessons with a western instructor. Thank you for the link, I shall have a mooch and see whos near.

The bit I bought (bad research on my behalf - I chose it has I was finbding it very very difficult to find a 5.5inch bit in a western style) is this http://www.equestriansalecentre.co.uk/happy-mouth-straight-bar-american-gag-491-p.asp which is probably too harsh for her to start.
 
Oh my giddy aunt, no wonder she didn't like it, it's a very severe bit.

I believe that you are in Hampshire, it just so happens that there is a 2 day western clinic in a couple of weeks time not a million miles away from you, near Petersfield in fact.The instructor is Bob Mayhew who is an international instructor, trainer and judge. Don't let that put you off .. he's really nice.

It would be a good idea for you to watch the clinic, there will be all levels of horses and riders taking part from beginners right through to advanced ... you'll learn loads and feel free to ask either Bob or his assistant instructor Michael anything you like.

Here are the details of the clinic for you.

12 May 2012 Area 13 2 Day Clinic Clinics, 2 Day clinic with Bob Mayhew at Wye Oak Quarter Horses, Dumpford Manor Farm, Trotton, Nr. Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 5JR. Contact; Anne Batley at a.batley@ntlworld.com or 01202 779576 Members and non-members from all areas welcome to participate. Spectators welcome

Hope you can make it.
 
Rhandir said:
Oh my giddy aunt, no wonder she didn't like it, it's a very severe bit.

I believe that you are in Hampshire, it just so happens that there is a 2 day western clinic in a couple of weeks time not a million miles away from you, near Petersfield in fact.The instructor is Bob Mayhew who is an international instructor, trainer and judge. Don't let that put you off .. he's really nice.

It would be a good idea for you to watch the clinic, there will be all levels of horses and riders taking part from beginners right through to advanced ... you'll learn loads and feel free to ask either Bob or his assistant instructor Michael anything you like.

Here are the details of the clinic for you.

12 May 2012 Area 13 2 Day Clinic Clinics, 2 Day clinic with Bob Mayhew at Wye Oak Quarter Horses, Dumpford Manor Farm, Trotton, Nr. Petersfield, Hampshire, GU31 5JR. Contact; Anne Batley at a.batley@ntlworld.com or 01202 779576 Members and non-members from all areas welcome to participate. Spectators welcome

Hope you can make it.
Click to expand...


Oooh, as a western dabler I may have to go along for a watch, thank you.
 
Im no expert but Im sure you shouldent use any leaverage bit untill your horse is going realy well in a plain snaffle !!! Yes ditto with Micheal Langford , he came up to cheshire and gave a clinic to WES area 2 last year, very informative helpfull and good at getting things across
even with numptys like me... the other thing you could do is get the Craig cameron, Chris Cox or other books published by the Western horseman all are outstanding and educational... good luck ...its not easy but when you start to get it together and also if you can get some professional help highly rewarding.....
 
Hmmm...I would love to go to the Bob Mayhew clinic as a spectator for a day but I'm due to have my baby any day and don't think anyone would appreciate a teeny baby there. :(

Hopefully the next one. There's a few smaller clinics local to me in Dorset too, definitely worth coming along as a spectator to pick up tips. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top