Where do you start if tring to find a bit for faster work?

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BeckyD

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This isn't really an issue for me at the moment but I think it soon will be as I have braking issues when going fast in company (ex-racer). I've read loads of posts lately about bits etc, and opinions are so varied.

Where would you start if a plain snaffle (or french link, whatever) wasn't sufficient? Would you try a pelham? A gag? Is it the way you can't stop that influences the bit - I'd imagine it would be? What about a universal?

I always thought I'd start with a pelham, and I think they can be amazing bits. But maybe I'm stuck in the dark ages - enlighten me!
 
Ex - racer? Easy. Drop the contact and horse should slow down - that's the principle anyway.

Not sure I'm brave enough to try it though.
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Haha yes it works, honest, and thankfully I was brave enough to test it. But it doesn't work in company (so far). I wasn't really meaning for me - I meant stronger bits in general for other people. I'm fascinated by different approaches to problems and bitting is so unique. When I was a kid it seemed much simpler - snaffle for schooling, pelham for brakes!
 

When working at the race yard, I was taught and really do believe, its tecnique not strength!

Try bridging your reins and if you have real braking issues, trying wedging one fist in your horses whithers and pull the other across it. Not sure if that makes sence, better to show you really.
 
Ok - well for me with Thumper I have had him for six months now and have just changed to a different bit. Essentially to help with problems I was having with fast work. I found him very strong - and he would lean. So following another forum members advice I have changed to a Waterford. So not a stronger bit, but a different action.

With Amy May I found that out hunting she would just run straight through the bridle - so I immediately went for strength and put her in a Kimblewick. It worked like magic. But I only ever needed it for hunting, never for any other kind of fast work.
 
I'd work on the schooling before upping the metal/leatherwork but I quite like Kimberwicks, mainly because they are imediatly adjustable like a driving bit. You can go out with the equivilant of a D ring snaffle then if you find him too strong you have another two rein slots and a curb chain to play with so your not hauling on him which isn't nice for either of you! Army port reversible (elbow) bit works on the same principle but can be made more severe as it has longer shanks and one side of the mouthpiece is textured while the other smooth giving a slight extra bite, for want of a better word, if needed.
 
People seem much more enlightened now as to the action of waterfords - they seem to be very good in leaning cases as the horse can't get a hold? Has it worked?
 
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People seem much more enlightened now as to the action of waterfords - they seem to be very good in leaning cases as the horse can't get a hold? Has it worked?

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Well I must say I felt much more in control on Sunday when I took him to do some fast work. He really does like to put his head down and plough along, which is an awful feeling. Rather than hanging on for dear life, I was able to check him quietly without him having a fanny fit about it.

I even gave him a boot to say go faster - unheard of!
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Ah! Thanks for the link - you're right I have seen them on horses before (like Police horses). Looks like a useful bit.

You see this is it - there are so many different types! Baffling
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I've not heard of the latter bit, sounds like it could be unpleasant in the wrong hands?

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Absolutely any bit in the wrong hands can be unpleasant for a horse. A plain simple ole snaffle in the wrong hands, or with someone with bad hands can be as harsh as any bit/bits/combination of bit & noseband. I'm afraid I am in the camp of schooling, re-schooling and doing some more schooling, and I stick with my humble little old snaffle.
I'm not saying that stronger bits don't have their place in certain situations, I used to take my ponio hunting in a kimblewick. However, since I have got a bit bigger and wiser (??? maybe....) I do think that technique is more important than what bit you are using. I can't remember a time recently that I have changed any of my horses out of their snaffles.
But then.... what do I know
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This is very interesting i was thinking of changing sus's bit as he is too strong when we are jumping. Had a lesson on sat and i had no control whatsoever he was grabbing hold of the bit and just running off and its not pretty or nice for him to have me hauling on his mouth and sitting right back.

I have found that a waterford doesnt work on him as it is too fat in his mouth and he is in a NS trans universal.

I was thinking of trying a kimblewick
 
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Absolutely any bit in the wrong hands can be unpleasant for a horse.

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Definatly, a bit is only as kind as the riders hands but i definatly also subscribe to that it is far better to use a slightly stronger bit and use it softly than spend you whole day hauling on a "kind" snaffle. I don't know how many of you have tried the trick of putting a snaffle around your lower arm and pulled on it, It hurts! I absolutly love driving bits because if your horses is a little strong one day you can do up the curb chain/ put the reins on a lower slot/ reverse the mouthpiece for a few minutes or hours or the rest of the day so your not pulling on each other and the next day go back to your "kind" setting without either of you getting sore.

Still though, schooling all the way, or maybe even a lesson or two on another horse if time/money allows.
 
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