experienced western pleasure riders only, please?

Question

I am about to start a 2 yearold paint for western pleasure. I have always started my colts in snaffles, but I know most people start their two year olds in bosals. Is it be better to start in a snaffle, so introducing the bit wont be an issue later? Is it against show rules to show a colt in a bit? Why do people start in bosals? Any info on the topic is very much appreciated.
thanks,
Karen

luvrats- I dont know what breeds you ride, but for stock type horses 2 is the standard age for breaking. He will be 3 in 1 month, and is already at 15.3 hh.

thanks, that is kindof what I was think too, i just see so many people show in bosals I was wondering why th y use them. Dosent really make much sense :)

Answer 1

Alot of times I will start my futurity horses in snaffles & then move them into the bosal. It's harder to teach a horse to lift through the shoulders with just a bosal on which is why I start in the snaffle till they understand how to keep themselves "together" & then I will throw them into the bosal a couple days before the show. If you have a horse that does not respect your hands in a snaffle then you do not want to put them into a bosal because you have even less control over their movement & if you are really having to pull back hard & crank on your bosal to get them to either stop or slow down then you risk either braking or seriously damaging the bridge of their nose. A horse should only be worked in a bosal when they understand collection & have a good "whoa" button. Bosal's are beautiful to show in but quite frankly they are not the best to train in on most occassions. However, I have seen horses that do much better without bits due to the conformation of their mouths, placement of teeth, or pallet defects. But if the horse has a severe enough problem to where they cannot be confortably ridden in a bit then unfortunitly its going to be hard to progress their show careers after they turn 6 years old & are required to ride in a bit. My suggestion would be to start your colt in a snaffle & then move him into a bosal. It is also perfectly acceptable to show your colt in a snaffle so you don't even have to mess with a bosal if you don't want to. I show my futurity horses in both depending on which one the horse rides better in. It's really up to you & which one your horse is more comfortable in. Try out both & see which one feels better to you. You want your colt to be comfortable in the show ring so don't sacrifice your colts comfort just to "fit in". If he enjoys the snaffle more, show in it...if he enjoys the bosal more, show in it..the pleasant expression on your horses face will earn you more merrit with the judge then going along with everyone else. If you choose to work more in the bosal though, be sure that you are also working him in a snaffle as well at home..he will need to understand the contact of the bit to be able to progress further in his training in the future. Good luck & remember, training is about you & your horse, forget what everyone else is doing & go with what works for you...your horse will be better in the long run! Happy training!

Answer 2

You can start your horse in a bit. Most trainers that start in a bosal do so out of tradition or the notion that a bosal is more humane. The further west or south you go the more bosals you will see. As for being more humane, I have seen some bosals that are sooo heavily weighted (and illegal for showing) that create pressure ulcers on the horses face. I have also seen bits that are too severe, so you need to do what you are comfortable with and what the horse will be successful with. I have used both depending on the horse. I have a bosal test that I do.... Stand in front of your horse and using your index finger, flick the face where the bosal would cross...If the horse gives you an exaggerrated "What was that?" type expression, then this horse is probably a good bosal horse. If no response, this horse may not be a good bosal horse. I truly believe that any horse can learn anything...So don't let my bosal test be a substitute for your own good judgement.

As far as show rules.... Most shows allow you to choose a bosal or a bit. It is your choice. However, make sure that the bosal or bit will pass the bit checkers test. Bit checkers and bosal checkers test for material, weight, mouthpiece size, twist, just to name a few factors.

Best wishes in all your endeavors

Answer 3

I always start my horses out in a bosal. I used to start them with just a simple snaffle, but some horses don't take well to it at first, and they can really fight it. So to avoid injury to their mouths, and to avoid what can sometimes be a great deal of frustration, I use a bosal at first. Once they are much more dependaple under saddle, I transition to the snaffle if I really want to.
There is an extra added benefit to useing the bosal on a new western horse - it is one of the quickest ways to teach them to neck rein.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

I think the reason you see so many bosals may be a fashion thing - they do look pretty, and "western." Honestly, I think it is a matter of preference. Like crazy_cowgirl, I start my groundwork in a halter, but then progress to a sidepull for more control and a similar feel on the face. I wrap my bosals and the sidepull in vet wrap to keep from rubbing, and I use one with a softer feel - more pliable and not stiff. I guess I don't understand what would be confusing about this progression. By the time I climb on, the horse already understands the basic concept of a pull from the right rein means go right, so it is really not going to matter what headgear you are using. I have seen a few raw noses, but I have seen as many sore mouths. Both result (usually) from trying to repeatedly ask the horse for things he does not understand, yet. For example, pleasure riders want their horses to go slow AND put their heads down. Whether you are using a bit or bosal, you are going to create irritation if you constantly are cranking on the head to accomplish these things. A show horse has several years before he has to make the transition to a bit, even though some people want a horse in a full bit sooner. When I am ready for them to be in a bit, I have mine pack one around in their stalls - they eat with it, and live with it for a few days, then I start with the groundwork again. When I have them stopping and turning without fighting, and giving to the snaffle, then we ride with it. Again, I think it is a matter of preference for most trainers as both pieces of gear are legal.

Answer 5

I have shown Western Pleasure in APHA for a lot of years and have always shown in the snaffle bit. To me it is just easier than breaking a horse to a bosal and then having to break him into a snaffle bit and then on to a curb bit. I will admit that a bosal rig on a horse is really pretty and I have been told that them are not a harsh on a horse. But I have found that you can do a lot of damage with them also. Several horses that I have worked with that where trained in a bosal where really touchy about their nose, since the bosal had rubbed it raw at some point. Snaffle bits are perfectly legal to show with, depending on the mouth and how it is jointed ( Can only have one joint in the mouth).

Answer 6

Alot of trainers use a bosal because a two year old's mouth is still changing. It is easier on their teeth and gums. If your horse is trained well then you shouldn't have any problems going to a snaffle later. I haven't read anywhere in the APHA handbook about not being able to show in a bit as a two year old.

Answer 7

I have started colts in both, it really is a personal preference, I think, as to the colt and rider. Personally, I prefer snaffles but... I want to comment on the 2 yr old thing. Light riding, light riders are ok on a 2 yr old. We will start, very lightly, a long 2 year old in the fall and let them "soak" until spring and then start back up with light riding and teaching leg queues, softness/suppleness to the bit. Typically, by mid to late fall of the 3 year old year we will start working heavier with the colts, however, jumping, performance and other high stress sports... our personal preference is to save them for the 4 yr old year to really think about progressing from the basics and light work. In my personal opinion, a 3 year old doing minimal arena work and lots of trails is a huge factor for the "life" of the horse and the "longevity" of a horses future both mentally and physically. But, starting a long 2 year old, lightly, will not be detrimental to the horse. The longer you wait out the maturity of the horse, the better off you'll be. (In my opinion)

Answer 8

Okay...I have a 3 yr old and I started him off in a snaffle. Now, we have him in a ported bit. I personally don't like a bosal for many reasons, but I think the bosal looks bad in a show ring.

Answer 9

I work with quite a few 2 and three year olds. if i where you i would use a snaffle. It is easier to start them off with the big stuff so they are used to it. Also bosals are really complex for such a young horse and with all the new stuff youwill be teaching them they may get confused on where you want them to go.

Answer 10

I know im not very old but my sister won the regional western pleasure finals last year and she started hers out with a snaffle, it is alot easier to move on to bigger things if you start with a snaffle bit. But that is just my opinion