What is the best bit for a young green horse in training?

Question

I am currently using loose ring snaffle, and it comes out of each side of his mouth by about 2cm, and sometimes more on one side. I think it is too big. he fights it even when I have loose contact. Reason??? How do you get them to accept the contact of the bit? I dont expect him to stretch down into it much yet.

Help?
:)

Answer 1

It sounds like your horse's bit is too big. If the bit is not sized correctly, it doesn't matter what kind you use-- your horse won't accept it happily.

In order to get your horse to accept contact from the bit, you may need to play around with the type of bit you use. Snaffle bits in general are good for young horses, and loose rings are OK, although in my experience they can pinch, especially if they are sized wrong. Eggbutt snaffles avoid this problem, although they have less "play" in the horse's mouth than loose rings. D-ring snaffles are good for young horses because they won't pull through the mouth (due to the ring design), which is helpful with horses who haven't learned to accept the bit. Full cheek snaffles are similar to D-rings. French links (they have a double-linked mouthpiece instead of a single link) are the gentlest form of snaffle, and my personal favorite for working youngsters.

If you are really having trouble getting your horse to accept contact, there is a brand of bit called "Happy Mouths" which can be helpful. The mouthpieces are covered in plastic, making them soft, flexible, gentle and comfortable for your horse. They are also apple-scented, which encourages the horse to accept the bit.

Every horse is different, and you may have to try several different bits before you find one (properly sized! :) that works for both you and your horse.

Answer 2

It sounds like your snaffle is too big for starters, or not adjusted correctly.

As for accepting contact, I started my babies by lunging with both a halter and bridle (no reins) to let them adjust to a bit. Eventually, I add the reins and run them through a martingale, through the gullet of a western saddle and tie them off to the pommel. I leave enough drape in the rein that there will be some light contact, but overall they aren't tight where it pulls on the horses mouth. By lunging them this way, it eases them into contact and you don't end up fighting with them. If you are inexperienced, ask someone around your barn for some help. Your horse should also be a well-behaved lunger before trying this.

Other alternatives to snaffles include a sidepull that also has a snaffle bit. If we start one in a sidepull or bosal, we transition with sidepull/snaffle combo.

Answer 3

Does your young horse need a bit?? I am training a 2 yr old right now and she has never had a bit in her mouth and she can do anything I ask her. If you must have a bit, make sure it fits his mouth. There should be 2 wrinkles on each side of his mouth right where the bit makes contact. They do have bits for young horses, on o-ring or d-ring or egg-butt is the best. You don't want it loose b/c that will distract your horse from what you are trying to teach him. Also, is your curb strap too tight? If you are wanting him to accept the bit better then I would fix all that I could to make it comfortable and then let him wear it all day for several days. Does your bit have any copper on it?? Copper makes the mouth water and keeps the horses happy. Plus, check his wolf teeth, if he has them then the bit might be hitting them, they are right between his grass teeth and his molars, in the space the bit fits.
Hope this helps.

Answer 4

A d-ring snaffle is usually the best because they can feel the contact with the oint in the bit. Any other bit usually causes early dental damage and the horse doesn't respond at all. Just get a smaller snaffle.

Answer 5

The best bit is going to depend on the horse each is a little different. I don't care for the loose ring snaffles much they tend to pinch the mouth if not fitted correctly. I like starting w/ an offset D w/ copper inlays on the mouth piece. It gives a nice feel w/ out pinching and the copper helps the salivate and soften.

Answer 6

Great answer from texasnascar I'd only want to add to that if your going to use a bit try a full cheek snaffle. The bars on each side will keep you from pulling it through his mouth as you described. A young horse will mouth a bit for a while until he becomes accustomed to it. Bit's do come in sizes so make sure it is the right size for him. And good luck!

Answer 7

It is too big. Go down a size and see how they do. I am glad to see you are using a snaffle because a lot of people make the mistake not to use a snaffle and instead go to a harsher bit. Young horses need snaffles to learn to accept the bit pressure.

Answer 8

I have broke many many young horses-I have very rarely EVER used a bit-There is a bridle called a "Side Pull Hackamore" It virtually works on the same principal of a snaffle, except there's no bit-& a lot nicer for the horse-

Answer 9

make sure the bit fits the horse first. then make sure the bridle is adjusted right so that the bit is in the right place (one or two wrinkles on the corners if the mouth) you also might try some bit guards. start by taking up some contact. not to much but just enough to let him know you re there. let him know that contact is a good thing. this will make him want to reach more into the contact

Answer 10

John Lyons and Kenny Harlow recommend full cheek snaffles for starting a horse.