What do you use when bitting a baby?

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cobface

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What bit do you use when bitting your baby and why? how long do you use the bit for and when do you change it?
i normally use a rubber loose ring snaffle.

My little cob will be 3 in may, i want to start introducing a bit now as would like to start leading her out in hand.
Just wanted to see what other people use :)
Thanks.
 
With the yearlings (shown in hand) they get a nice rubber bit (actual soft rubber, not plastic).

As three year olds, this is changed to a breaking bit - I use a full-cheek breaking bit, which almost looks like a french link, with the link being made up of a small loop with three 'keys' on it. They are ridden away in that bit (the cheeks help with steering and prevent the bit being pulled through the horse's mouth). And then after about a month, they graduate to either a single jointed or french link full cheek saffle. I ride in that until the steering is adaquate, and then they are swapped into whatever suits (or kept in it if it suits them).
 
I've also used a simple rubber loose ring snaffle to introduce my boys to bits. I never bothered with the breaking bit though, just went straight on to French Link full cheek (for help with steering) snaffles once they were being ridden away.

Now, years later, all of mine are still in Eggbut French Links (without the cheeks now) although one of them prefered the shape of the Myler version, and my top endurance horse goes well in a French Link at home, but I need to use a hackamore on him at endurance events.
 
My 2yr old is shown in a straight bar loose ring snaffle (its a specific bit for showing youngsters in though.) And he the rest of the time he has a happy mouth eggbutt snaffle which he is quite happy in (this is for loose schooling/jumping taking for walks etc).
 
i hate those breaking bits- only ever seen them make a horse fussy in the mouth.

i use either a myler with a port and curved arms, a french link with a lozenge or a rubber straight bar- all depending on the horse's mouth conformation and what they seem happiest in.

never bother with full cheeks or anything but i get hacking as soon as they are backed and as i long rein instead of lunge i've not had one that was difficult to steer.

its all about finding what your horse prefers and is happiest in.
 
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