When bitting a youngster for the first time..which bit??

[cidermillcottage1]

would you use?
A staight bar, loose ring rubber snaffle or something else?
I only have a jointed rubber loose ring and wasn't sure whether this would be ok or whether I should go and buy a straight bar or anything else for that matter?? It would only be for getting used to a bit and bridle in the stable (youngster is only two) and eventually to gain a bit more control leading!!

All suggestions appreciated.

 

[soph21]

Bear had a apple straight bar and then after a few weeks when I started riding him I borrowed an egg butt snaffle with the peanut lozenge thingy in the middle. And then he went on to a french link snaffle once broken in.

 

[hadfos]

I used a french link and lad loved it,had great results,he still in it now 9yrs on!!Know alot of people that rate the french link for breaking!!

 

[1275gta]

Use a proper key bit. We use on all ours and it seems to work really well.

 

[Jennypenny]

Same here, use a key bit for first bit in the mouth then progress to a normal snaffle

 

[RobinHood]

Whatever you decide to use make sure you get the horse's teeth checked first as you don't want his first experience of a bit to be an uncomfortable one.

 

[arwenplusone]

I don't like to use a key bit tbh, I have just used a vulcanite straight bar, loose ring snaffle on my yearling - this is the best to use at the early stages IMO.

I would not want to use a jointed bit because of the 'nutcracker effect'

 

[cidermillcottage1]

Arwen,

Yeah I agree re the key bit, I have always understood you use the key bit (if nessecary) at a later stage in breaking to encourage the horse to accept and play with the bit? I think its off to the shops for me then!!!

 

[henryhorn]

We use a hard rubber straight unjointed snaffle or a straight bit with cheeks, not a Happy Mouth but similar.
I can' t understand why anyone would use a key bit to encourage the horse to mess with the bit when ultimately you want it to have a still mouth!
The cheeks are really useful when long reining and help teach steering , we start the ridden work in one fo these bits then tend to change to something like a KK later on.
I would buy a straight hard rubber, they are really cheap at around a tenner.

 

[Colleen_Miss_Tom]

I first tried a rubber straight bit with missy but she did not like it, Sometimes the keys can be too much for them ( ie too much in the mouth ) I then went onto a copper french link loose ring and thats what shes got now and she seems quite happy .

So another vote for the french link .

 

[amandaco2]

i use a mullen happy mouth loose ring.my yearling liked it.

 

[Theresa_F]

First used a straight bar rubber showing bit and then a copper french link full cheeked snaffle. Now he is in a copper lozenge bit with loose rings which he really seems to like.

 

[Ezme]

I'd have a look in his mouth, see what his tounge/teeth situation is like and go from there. With some i've found keys to encourage them to play too much. We now have a horse that likes to get his curb chain in his mouth and play with it like he would keys, i'm guessing he was started with one.... but just see what happens, nothing is set in stone. try something, if you think he's unhappy try something else!

 

[Sooty]

We used a rubber straight bit. I like the idea of a full cheek bit once steering is required, but Beano is a clumsy horse who will probably take my eye out with it! May go for D rings instead.

 

[cidermillcottage1]

thank you for all your suggestions! helpful as ever!

 

[Dressagebabe]

Definately a straight bar happy mouth type for a few weeks until he is settled when putting the bridle on and walking in hand/lungeing etc. A french link gives too much tongue restriction & tongue pressure for a baby which then can cause him to go behind the bit and over bend, not easy to get them out of this once it has become a habit. After the straight bar you could go onto a Neue Schule trainer type bit as the metal resembles the happy mouth nylon so they don't notice the change over.