What bit do you start your youngsters in?

Wagtail

Wagtail

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It's been a while since I last broke in a horse, and bitting wise things have moved on. I was wondering which bit you like to start your youngsters in? I used to use a plain loose ring single jointed snaffle, but I don't like those any more. :redface3:

I like bomber bits and the demi anky. I don't really like lozenge bits as I have found so many horses dislike the feel of them on their tongues. What about a French link?
 
Something like the Neue Scule team up bit. Its a very friendly loose ring lozenge bit. There is also a NS Join Up bit, which I haven't got but is designed for babies.

I bitted the 3 yo RSPCA foster filly last summer using a Micklem bridle and the NS team up bit, smeared with a little jam. She fully accepted it within 5 minutes, with the least drama I have ever had when bitting, which was pretty good considering she could be claustrophobic.

I kept going with the jam thing for a few days, it worked well but I had to look out for wasps!
 
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Something soft like a nathe is preferable to me for the very early stages but can be quite thick so I wouldn't use one on a horse with fleshy lips and thick tongue. Some youngster prefer a fixed cheek to start with
 
I haven't had any babies for a while but would always start them in a full cheek with some kind of double jointed mouth piece. I also like the ns bits, two of mine are in the verbindend at the moment.
 
Normal, simple loose ring snaffle. I'm all on for any faffing that needs to be done after that, but usually, if I've done my job right, that is all they'll ever need until they go into a double.
 
I like an simple eggbutt single joint. Or a happy mouth if they are a bit sensitive.

I don't like loose rings as I feel they are very unstable in a young horse's mouth. Some then need to move to a french link depending on mouth conformation but I start with a single joint.
 
Prefer to start mine bitless (rope halter) until they are used to everything else, ok being ridden and their balance has improved a bit. These days like the Sprenger double jointed bits once I feel they are good to move into a bit.
 
Pbws said:
I haven't had any babies for a while but would always start them in a full cheek with some kind of double jointed mouth piece. I also like the ns bits, two of mine are in the verbindend at the moment.
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Ditto this. I always use full cheeks when starting their ridden work as it helps with the steering and prevents the bit getting pulled through their mouth. My 'grown up' horses are mainly in NS Verbindend bits.
 
Mine goes sweet in a NS loose ring snaffle with lozenge. He had his teeth rasped today for the first time, they where sharp but good news is he has no wolf teeth :)
 
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