What bit do i use?

Question

I have a 12year old quarterhorse she was used as a barrel horse before i got her. i want to show her at the local fair in weastern pleaser. she dosen't respond to bit presser very well please hlep if you can.

Answer 1

You don't say how old you are or how much experience you have in working with horses. To me, it sounds like your mare might need to be re-schooled. What you are asking her to do is very different from her previous training. To have any chance of succeeding you will most likely have to spend a lot of time in slow work in the ring, concentrating on getting your mare to relax, flex and lower her head. This involves a lot more than just finding a bit with more "whoa" to it.

It would probably be worth your while to find a trainer who can coach you and your horse. If there are any successful Western Pleasure trainers in your area, that might be a good place to start. Of course the trainer will expect to be paid for lessons and training, so how serious are you about showing your mare?

This article gives some excellent advice on training the Western Pleasure horse: http://www.equiworld.net/uk/sports/western/westernpleasure/training.htm

Good luck to you and your mare.

Answer 2

karin's answer is awesome and you should listen to her. a ring snaffle or any harsher bit for western pleasure at a show at your mares age, isnt possible unless you can get in a training show.
you do need to start from scratch...and from the ground. forget the bit for now. i work all my horses in halter on the ground before i ever do anything else with them. even if they are supposed to be the most broke horses in the world, i start there. its all in pressure and release, little movements at your command...and gradually you work your way up to the saddle. you want to be able to ride your horse with a halter at anytime or anywhere ...especially if you are doing something like western pleasure...which is generally slow, small, precise movements. (slow compared to barrel racing) :)

Answer 3

sorry to say this but you may have the wrong horse for Western pleasure class.barrel horses don't make good Western pleasure horses for the most part. there is so many bits out there that it hard to say what would work for you. try a draw bit. that what i use alot but I'm a barrel racer and don't do many western pleasure classes.

Answer 4

well what have you tried on her i have 2 barrel horses they are great horses but once they get into a arena they want to run they are very hot horses just because of there traning try a hight port bit or you could try to retrain her get a ring snaffle and be patient and help her understand you could also try a bit with a roller it will give her something to play with and not be so antsie