What bit do you all use for hacking?

[AutumnDays]

Slowly getting everything all together for the new boy to become my happy hacker. As he's an older boy that hasn't done much at all (and I have a back issue which is meant to mean I stay off horses!), we won't be doing fast and extreme, just milage, hills and scenery. He's a big lad, and very forward, with some patience issues. They are coming along with time and education (in hand for now), but he does like to use his size and weight to try get one over me if he thinks he can. He came with a standard snaffle, which I am leading him out in (with a rope halter also under his bridle to have as back up when he's being a pig headed git) but he really hates the nutcracker action of it. And he leans on it to try and get his way. There are so many bits out there now, and it's been a while since I've had to make a choice myself, I'm hoping you guys can give me some pointers? Thanks

 

[Red-1]

I used to use the same bit for hacking as dressage, but now my BF is riding my horse (novice rider) I've put the horse into a Cheltenham Gag bit, with leather sides so it doesn't slide unless he has to take a good tug. The reason is that the horse can lean when tired and BF doesn't have a strong seat to sit him back.

I also like a Wilkie for hacking, or a Kimblewick.

I'd try them in the arena first though.

It's not correct to change bit for hacking, schooling would be the correct route, but it is practical.
As long as the bit isn't used as a weapon.

 

[southerncomfort]

I wouldn't assume that if he's bargy with you on the ground, that he'll need a strong bit to hack in.

Their are lots of horses that will throw their weight around when the human is on the ground, but are absolute angels to be ridden.

If he were mine, I'd wait and see what he's like to hack in his snaffle (bearing in mind that he might be a bit forward for the first couple of hacks if hasn't been out for a while), and if he does need something stronger I'd have a bit fitter out for advice.

 

[AutumnDays]

I used to use the same bit for hacking as dressage, but now my BF is riding my horse (novice rider) I've put the horse into a Cheltenham Gag bit, with leather sides so it doesn't slide unless he has to take a good tug. The reason is that the horse can lean when tired and BF doesn't have a strong seat to sit him back.

I also like a Wilkie for hacking, or a Kimblewick.

I'd try them in the arena first though.

It's not correct to change bit for hacking, schooling would be the correct route, but it is practical.
As long as the bit isn't used as a weapon.

Thank you. I don't have access to a school unfortunately, but did sort of school on hacks before I had to take a break. I used to ride very well with my seat, but I know now I won't have the strength and will need to build it back up due to my issue. I don't use bits as a weapon, and some of them look like they could do damage, hence me asking! I am a ride on the buckle type, he's just shown he can be strong and opinionated when he doesn't like the look of something on the ground, so I'd just like something that can be engaged in those moment to remind him that he's not in charge. I have used a kimblewick before on one of mine in the past, but he has a Mexican nose band, I don't think I can use a curb chain with that?

 

[Bobthecob15]

Thank you. I don't have access to a school unfortunately, but did sort of school on hacks before I had to take a break. I used to ride very well with my seat, but I know now I won't have the strength and will need to build it back up due to my issue. I don't use bits as a weapon, and some of them look like they could do damage, hence me asking! I am a ride on the buckle type, he's just shown he can be strong and opinionated when he doesn't like the look of something on the ground, so I'd just like something that can be engaged in those moment to remind him that he's not in charge. I have used a kimblewick before on one of mine in the past, but he has a Mexican nose band, I don't think I can use a curb chain with that?

No you can’t really use a curb with that noseband, you could always change to a plain cavesson with the kimblewick, it is a useful bit.

Other option would be a universal on the bottom ring, or you could try a 2 ring gag but they don’t really do a lot without a curb strap…but I’d try a universal first they are good bits and becoming very popular

 

[AutumnDays]

No you can’t really use a curb with that noseband, you could always change to a plain cavesson with the kimblewick, it is a useful bit.

Other option would be a universal on the bottom ring, or you could try a 2 ring gag but they don’t really do a lot without a curb strap…but I’d try a universal first they are good bits and becoming very popular

Do you need a curb strap with the universal?

 

[Skib]

The reason is that the horse can lean when tired and BF doesn't have a strong seat to sit him back.

I am over 80 and doubt if I have a strong seat. My share horse in a snaffle, used to lean on the bit. I got rid of the rubber RS reins and bought her soft leather reins which slip through my fingers. If she leans it goes to the buckle. I also remind her, (leg and crop) as we leave the yard, that she must use her hind quarters.

 

[Red-1]

I am over 80 and doubt if I have a strong seat. My share horse in a snaffle, used to lean on the bit. I got rid of the rubber RS reins and bought her soft leather reins which slip through my fingers. If she leans it goes to the buckle. I also remind her, (leg and crop) as we leave the yard, that she must use her hind quarters.

By strong seat, I don't mean lbs per square inch. I mean independent, so able to sit up, engage core and use technique to gather the horse. He does manual labour and is a heck of a lot stronger than me, but has no awareness (yet) of joining with the horse's core, timing, feel, breath etc etc. He has ridden approximately 35 times in his life, having started riding in his 50's, and can canter out in a group setting, when on a sane and sensible horse.

I used to be a purist, but now, especially since my husband died suddenly, I am much more about live and let live, enjoy the moment, trust your gut and kick on - caveat: as long as the horse gets a good deal.

This was him last weekend, on my grey, having a nice time. The horse is in the gag bit and happy.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7467090452370558240

He also rides the Black one, in a Wilkie with a Market Harborough. Live and let live and I now simply use whatever is fair and brings confidence and safety.

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7455707828754435360

I can hold the black horse in a snaffle, with technique and timing (a strong seat). He would not!

 

[sarcasm_queen]

Current one, the same snaffle as for everything else.

Old one who was stupidly strong had a Pelham for anything outside the arena.

 

[Suechoccy]

A oose ring snaffle with rounded lozenge in the middle (so it's double-jointed through the mouth rather than single jointed) for all of mine (cob crosses). When I bought my first cob-cross, he came with tack and his previous owner said she'd start me in this bit because over the time she'd had him, he'd be fine in any bit for a few months then start to lean and need it changed to something different or stronger. On that basis I decided there was no point in ever changing his snaffle for anything else so I never did. The two subsequent horses have also only ever worn the same design of snaffle.
If I wanted extra brakes (for a faster-paced group pleasure ride ) then I'd pop a flash noseband on to stop him opening his mouth, which he'd only do when he was deciding to be strong. Mostly we don't use nosebands either. (We're very much happy hackers. The cavesson noseband only sees daylight on the occasions we enter a local unaffiiliated stressage).

 

[ihatework]

Generally good hacks go out in their dressage bridle, slightly iffy hacks might wear their jump bridles

 

[marmalade76]

I can hack my old polo pony in a snaffle 'cause she's not strong but I have swapped to a Universal because it stops her putting her head up in canter (I did try a Pelham first but it didn't make much difference). Her head goes right up, ears up your nose and I have trouble controlling my hands when this happens so it's not very comfortable for either of us.

 

[AutumnDays]

@marmalade76 do you need a curb strap on a universal or just as is?

 

[marmalade76]

@marmalade76 do you need a curb strap on a universal or just as is?

I think some people put curb straps on them but I don't.

 

[spotty_pony2]

If I can I’ll always hack them in a snaffle. The big friesian though has a habit of dropping his shoulder and grabbing the bit between his teeth and trying to p*ss off. He is far too big to negotiate with so I hack him in a waterford snaffle with a grackle noseband which helps a lot. There has been times when I know I wouldn’t have been able to hold him in the snaffle and this combination has actually saved me.

he is currently out of work due to recovering from an injury and I’ve been turning him in and out in a snaffle bridle without a nose and he has been gradually getting more and more on top of me and rude so I’ve popped his bridle he uses for hacking on now and have more control!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I use a rubber mouth straight bar pelham - Dex is generally polite but if I have to take a pull while already cantering or galloping I'd have no hope in a snaffle.

 

[AutumnDays]

Thanks guys. Some ideas here! He's such an unknown, apart from knowing he's not done much, and knowing he's learnt he's big and can use it! He is generally polite, but when he decides something isn't to his liking, he can be strong and rude. I'd just rather not be caught out and tanked off without any hope, but at the same time I don't want to have a scrapyards worth of metal in his mouth!

 

[Exasperated]

Slowly getting everything all together for the new boy to become my happy hacker. As he's an older boy that hasn't done much at all (and I have a back issue which is meant to mean I stay off horses!), we won't be doing fast and extreme, just milage, hills and scenery. He's a big lad, and very forward, with some patience issues. They are coming along with time and education (in hand for now), but he does like to use his size and weight to try get one over me if he thinks he can. He came with a standard snaffle, which I am leading him out in (with a rope halter also under his bridle to have as back up when he's being a pig headed git) but he really hates the nutcracker action of it. And he leans on it to try and get his way. There are so many bits out there now, and it's been a while since I've had to make a choice myself, I'm hoping you guys can give me some pointers? Thanks

Lots of cobs, cold bloods and natives have broad, shallow mouths, fleshy tongues and lips, little ‘roof room’ for ordinary jointed bits. If you study their mouths, often also have lampas, where the soft palate is low / below the teeth.
Therefore, either a lozenge type mouth (so there’s no direct nutcracker action), or a straight bar with curb (like a kimblewick or Pelham) can be much kinder.
A thicker, short necked build of horse will find life much easier dropping down and back from the poll with the curb action, than his head and throat being drawn up by the snaffle.
Rubber mouthed Pelham (preferably with two reins, then you can ride as much as you wish on the very mild bradoon yet have ‘emergency brakes’ curb always in situ!), or kimblewick, would be worth trying. These bits are thick and mild unless the rider starts tugging about and unnecessarily activating curb leverage, would provide you more peace of mind and confidence to get going. Cavesson if you need any noseband at all. Enjoy!

Slowly getting everything all together for the new boy to become my happy hacker. As he's an older boy that hasn't done much at all (and I have a back issue which is meant to mean I stay off horses!), we won't be doing fast and extreme, just milage, hills and scenery. He's a big lad, and very forward, with some patience issues. They are coming along with time and education (in hand for now), but he does like to use his size and weight to try get one over me if he thinks he can. He came with a standard snaffle, which I am leading him out in (with a rope halter also under his bridle to have as back up when he's being a pig headed git) but he really hates the nutcracker action of it. And he leans on it to try and get his way. There are so many bits out there now, and it's been a while since I've had to make a choice myself, I'm hoping you guys can give me some pointers? Thanks

 

[dreamcometrue]

A Bomber elliptical loose ring. She loves it for the sweet iron and is clearly very comfortable with it.

 

[Nari]

I use a Myler mullen mouth with full cheeks and a very loose cavesson, I had the same set up on a big strong sharp horse years ago too. What I've found over the years is that generally if they're left alone with nothing to fight with then they don't feel the need to get strong, though the mullen is a solid bit if they do decide to argue. It doesn't suit all horses, but what does?

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

My old chap was great to hack about but when he got it in his head he was going to be strong, he'd grab hold of one side of the bit, head down and bear down. I rode him in a waterford. Any bit in the wrong hands is harsh but he accepted it fine.

 

[AutumnDays]

Lots of cobs, cold bloods and natives have broad, shallow mouths, fleshy tongues and lips, little ‘roof room’ for ordinary jointed bits. If you study their mouths, often also have lampas, where the soft palate is low / below the teeth.
Therefore, either a lozenge type mouth (so there’s no direct nutcracker action), or a straight bar with curb (like a kimblewick or Pelham) can be much kinder.
A thicker, short necked build of horse will find life much easier dropping down and back from the poll with the curb action, than his head and throat being drawn up by the snaffle.
Rubber mouthed Pelham (preferably with two reins, then you can ride as much as you wish on the very mild bradoon yet have ‘emergency brakes’ curb always in situ!), or kimblewick, would be worth trying. These bits are thick and mild unless the rider starts tugging about and unnecessarily activating curb leverage, would provide you more peace of mind and confidence to get going. Cavesson if you need any noseband at all. Enjoy!

He's an interesting cross of a KWPN and Sec. D, so he may well have the low palate, I'll have to have a closer look! I'll have to measure him properly too, the snaffle is a loose ring 6", I'm assuming it's a bigger fit due to the loose ring and the others need to be a tighter fit

 

[lme]

I tend to use a myler comfiort snaffle or bomber lockup. Mine doesn't like a lot of metal in her mouth or a nutcracker action.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Thanks guys. Some ideas here! He's such an unknown, apart from knowing he's not done much, and knowing he's learnt he's big and can use it! He is generally polite, but when he decides something isn't to his liking, he can be strong and rude. I'd just rather not be caught out and tanked off without any hope, but at the same time I don't want to have a scrapyards worth of metal in his mouth!

Do you need a curb strap with the universal?

No, you don’t need one. You can add one to give more breaks though

 

[Widgeon]

This was him last weekend, on my grey, having a nice time. The horse is in the gag bit and happy.

Umm - I have no comment on bitting or any other sensible things - but what on EARTH is that hat cover? Is it a Highland cow?!

 

[Exasperated]

He's an interesting cross of a KWPN and Sec. D, so he may well have the low palate, I'll have to have a closer look! I'll have to measure him properly too, the snaffle is a loose ring 6", I'm assuming it's a bigger fit due to the loose ring and the others need to be a tighter fit

Sorry, I meant hard palate, doesn’t make sense otherwise! A lot of Sec Ds do have lampas, no problem unless trying to insist on a single jointed bit, and insufficient room.
If he’s a bit oomphy and pushy, and already said he doesn’t like the nutcracker effect, straight bar with a curb probably a sensible start. Hope he proves everything you want!

 

[AutumnDays]

Sorry, I meant hard palate, doesn’t make sense otherwise! A lot of Sec Ds do have lampas, no problem unless trying to insist on a single jointed bit, and insufficient room.
If he’s a bit oomphy and pushy, and already said he doesn’t like the nutcracker effect, straight bar with a curb probably a sensible start. Hope he proves everything you want!

Thank you very much , slowly aiming for it, buying tack is pricey and I had got rid of everything long before he arrived, thinking I would never have the opportunity to have a ridden one again

 

[Lois Lame]

I used a triple-barrelled Myler loose-ring snaffle - I'll see if I can find a link. (I say 'used' because I haven't owned or ridden a horse since 2020.)

No, I could not find any link that pictures the one I have.

I chose this bit as I wanted to avoid all things I didn't like in a everyday jointed snaffle: nutcracker action mainly. Also, I wanted the bit of extra movement of a loose-ring but without the worry of pinching (my worry of pinching. I don't know if they ever pinch). (Edited again to add: And no nose band.)

My QH x pony liked this bit. I liked the bit. I don't know if my next horse will like it but if I get another, I'll try it if it fits.

(It might not of course. Yesterday I was looking online at horses for sale, as you do, at a very nice big grey fellow of 16 hands, a little taller than I would like, but what a nice chap. Anyhow, that's irrelevant to the discussion. Heck was he nice though.)

ETA: I love that big grey fellow in your clips, Red.

 

[Caol Ila]

Hermosa has a bosal.

Fin has a few bits but his favourite hacking bit is a Fager titanium thingme, sort of curvy with a lozenge.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Myler loose ring comfort snaffle for all work at home and he has a Wilkie style comfort snaffle for outings, clinics and jumping away as he gets excited

He’s perfect in the comfort snaffle doing stuff at home and hacking