The Bits and Bitting Thread

[almost_mozart]

Originally Posted by LBmare

Great job AM, another good topic for this thread would be types of metals permitted and not permitted in disciplines/breeds, shows, etc etc...I always see a lot of those questions on other boards, or hear them at shows, am asked them during lessons...

That would be great--if I knew that, but, sadly, I'm lacking in this department. If you know legal equipment for events (dressage, AQHA shows, etc.) please share that info!

[Chameleon]

Good info. Do you know anything about the Pee-Wee bit? I always see it advertised, but have no idea what it is or how it works.

[greygirls]

How about some info on driving bits? I just sold one that I got from my cousin but I had no idea what it was until the lady I sold it to told me.

[almost_mozart]

As a rule, I don't know anything about driving bits, but if you could post a picture of it, I may be able to tell you how it works....if it's not too crazy! I'm sure someone will be able to help.

[Rudy]

Most driving bits are just a curb bit of some type. The shanks have different slots depending on how much leverage you want to be able to use on each horse.

[greygirls]

I did take a pic of it but have to wait till I'm in town to get them off the camera. I know very few people are interested in driving but, being a draft lover & having a horse that's broke to drive, I was just curious about the bits that are used. I'll post the pic as soon as I get it.

[greygirls]

Here's the pic of the bit...can anyone tell me anything about it?

[almost_mozart]

Image has been moved or deleted?

[Wolfie]

Darn! I wish I had seen this topic before--it would have saved me having to create a new one. Next time I'll do a search before posting a new thread.

Anyway, can you tell me what would be a good bit (besides a grazing bit....I think that's what it's called) for an eight-year-old broke horse that has trouble backing up and tosses its head when it is plough reined?

[Gemni]

Bumping this back up for those who have missed it

[Amy]

HI, haven't gotten all the way through this thread (got to tear myself away from the computer and get ready for work... grrr...) but I am going to come back to this, and being very new to horses I'm just now learning about different kinds of bits, I may have a question later but I'll read the whole thread first to see if it's answered.

Thanks a lot for taking the time to write all this, it's very interesting and informative, and if it's not already stickied it should be.

[equine.trailrider]

Originally Posted by almost_mozart

Pelhams







A Pelham is a curb bit with a specific type of shanks, as seen in the pictures above. It is your typical curb, with moderate shanks (and hence moderate leverage action) and would be rather unspectacular--except it can be used in four different ways.

Attaching the reins only to the top ring gives you a snaffle bit, as the shanks are not employed in any way. Attaching the reins only to the bottom rings gives a normal curb bit. Attaching two sets of reins (one to the top ring, and one to the bottom) allows you to adjust how much direct (snaffle) pressure is applied as well as how much collection (curb) pressure is applied. This gives a unique feel and is custom fit to the rider's needs. Attaching Pelham "roundings" to the bit and putting the reins on these splits the bit's action between that of a curb and that of a snaffle.

The tiny center ring on the shanks may be used to tie the sides of the bit together to increase stability and prevent the shanks from flipping up, or it may be ignored.

I absolutely cannot say enough about this bit! I use it on my Belgian mare. I put her in it after using a FCS on her. She had no stop and would bolt like nobody's business! Try one-rein-stopping a runaway draft and you'll know what I mean! I started her in the snaffle mouth with two sets of reins. Over a short period of time, I hardly ever had to use the shank rein. Then I put a bit converter on it and started using one set of reins, which is what we still use today. She is light in the mouth now and is very easy to ride. I've been able to go to a Kimberwick with a snaffle mouthpiece as well. She's light in that too. If a horse is a runaway OR just hard to stop, I would highly suggest going to a Pelham with snaffle mouthpiece.

[Marecare]

My first post

Thank you for the thread. I am having a hard time understanding the "nutcracker effect" of the snaffle that you speak of. I just can't see how the bit can deflect vertically(into the roof of the mouth)? To make the bit deflect in that direction ,the rider would have to lay on the ground and pull straight down,breaking the bit upward. The normal action of the snaffle is to link foward in the mouth is it not?

[ToveroMom]

Put the bit in your mouth and bring the reins back...

[Marecare]

If the horses head is flexed past the vertical,with a level neck, and the rider places their hands as low as their knees,then pulled back with equal pressure,then the snaffle would be deflected to the roof of the mouth. Pressure would also be exerted proportionality to the sides of the cheeks/bars as the mouthpeice collapsed....If the rider wished to ride like that!

[csimmons]

I just came across this. I've used Mikmars with mixed results. I have the straight mouth combination bit. I love it. It is fantastic for reschooling naughty horses. The wide flat mouth piece is very comfortable for them, but the are a variety of reining options to use for clear corrections when needed. The horses find out FAST that good behavior is comfortable. The problem is that it only comes in big sizes. I currently am working on a very light mouthed green mare. This bit would have been great on her, not for the correction but for the comfort. It is too big for her. I bought her a jointed Mikmar D-ring snaffle. She hates it. Only spent a small fortune for it. In hindsight, she probably would have enjoyed the straight mouth piece better. So, do I spend another fortune to try it out. She is the only one who has not LOVED this bit. My advice is to try to borrow this bit first before you buy it.

[foxkitty]

I saw the list of types of metals at the beginning of the thread, but there may have been one missing: gold. I have seen gold bits in the catalogues and such that I get, and I was wondering about the pros/cons to it. I have a six-year-old who is just getting past green, and she seems to like both the sweet iron and the copper, but I'm curious as to whether this might be something she would like better. Any insight or information would be helpful...
Thank you!

[odessa]

Can you tell me about spoon bits, and how they work? Thanks.

[mymaxx]

I have a question: What size bit would you get for a warmblood?

[beth55051]

Mymaxx - You would have to measure the horses mouth. I've seen warmbloods that took anywhere from a 5" mouthpiece on up to a 7" mouthpiece.

Take a piece of wooden dowel or something similar, put it in the horses mouth where the bit would ride and mark the dowel on either side of the horses cheeks.