Which Bit??

[michellepearson1]

Im going to introduce my 2 year old to a bit - which is going to be fun.

I have been told to put in a bit with a straight bar and keys for him to play with, but I have read to put in a bit that takes the shape of the mouth ie a loose ring happy mouth snaffle with a peanut - or whatever they are called.

AND I wish it would stop raining!!

 

[donablue]

i will keep an eye on this post,as it will be helpful when i need to mouth mine.

 

[jewel]

i used a jointed peanut bit when i bitted my boy.

 

[Ezme]

Some people think a bit with keys does nothing but encourage the horse to be over active in the mouth. With something new their gona mouth anyway. I don't have any experience but i'd want to make it as plesent experience as poss so i'd probs have a look at mouth conformation and tounges.

 

[scotsmare]

Mine started off in a straight bar showing bit but has now as a 3 yr old progressed to a rubber covered neue schule bit. I think rubber is kinder as it's 'warm' and saves the shock of a cold bit going in!

 

[hendrabonnie]

I used to put honey on my youngsters bit when she was first mouthed she used to suck the bit in, so there was no problem with her taking it.lol

I just used a plain loose ring snaffle and have never had a problem.

 

[michellepearson1]

I only have my other horse in happy mouths and he will be going in the same.

He has a slight parrot mouth and his tongue isnt that think.

 

[1275gta]

We always use a mouthing bit or key bit, which ever you want to call it. We tie it to head colar and leave in for about 10 minutes a day to start. We have never had any problems.

 

[michellepearson1]

Thick not think!

 

[michellepearson1]

Never thought about attaching it to a headcollar

 

[Natch]

A friend of mine recently started hers with a happy mouth french link with full cheeks to help make steering clearer - that seemed to work really well.

I'd lean towards the argument use whatever you think you're going to want to ride them in, at least in the beginning - therefore keys probably wouldn't make sense to me, as you've only got to change to something else soon anyway.

Edited to say full cheeks, not cheese

 

[hellybelly6]

I would start in the bit you would want to start riding the horse in. I think a happymouth with a link is a nice bit to start with as the bit wont be cold when it is first introduced to the horse. A sweet iron french link is another option or a NS trans-lozenge - all warm metals.

 

[annapolly]

I would always suggest an eggbutt happy mouth with either a joint or a french link, all youngsters I know have taken well to the happy mouths.

Westygirl is right, honey or treacle is fab, but I have also used toothpaste...