what age to bit

[jensheff26]

my 14month old colt has just started to get a bit erm well frisky when leading, hes generally a well mannered little chap that has had loads of handling and generally been played with a lot, i try to keep him occupied with doing different things ie in hand hacking etc.i think hes getting a bit bored now is it too early to introduce him to the bit and mebe a little long reining etc nothing too much just something new to keep his mind off his newly founded bits ,

 

[buntybaby]

I'd say you can introduce him to a bit as long as it's a little rubber straight bar or happy mouth type bit then it's absolutley fine!
I had a colt until end of last year and wen he was yearling I put a bit on him as he got extremely frisky! when being led and it really worked!!
As for long reining I dont see why not provided it's only a little and he copes with it then no reason not to! Another 2yr old I had started doing pole work at 2yrs to occupy his brain!! (only a few placed around the school and a few in line!!)

 

[teddyt]

I dont see a problem in bitting at that age but you must look at the horses mouth conformation and select a bit accordingly. I think rubber bits are too fat for most horses. Only use it for short periods and dont start any long reining until the horse is well used to the bit and being led in hand in it.

Long reining has been proven to give more tension on the reins than riding - hence there is great potential for spoiling a horses mouth before youve even ridden it!

 

[jensheff26]

iv tried my small ponys bit on him and he didnt seem too bothered by it at all just went back to munching on grass in hand. would a plain snaffle be ok for him i dont want anything that will upset him, hes had a roller on and has been long reined a little in just his headcollar would a rubber bit be too big for him as my ponys bit is only 4"