My horse needs better brakes! Bit suggestions please.

joschrock · 08-06-2006, 02:50 PM

Hi! I am fairly new to this forum and I have a 10 yr. old paint gelding that I recently purchased and he is wonderful! The only thing that he needs work on is his brakes...or lack there of!! I ride him in a Tom Thumb snaffle and that is what the previous owners rode him in, but he hardly has any breaks. I takes all I have to pull back and get him to WHOA! I have tried shifting my weight back in the seat to see if that helped and it didn't. I'm thinking he needs a harsher bit. What are your thoughts on that? Any suggestions on what type of bit I should be using? Any and all suggestions would be great. Thanks!

**dandeeqh** · 08-06-2006, 03:13 PM

I'm thinking he needs a refresher on what Whoa means. I wouldn't go to a harsher bit, some training on whoa instead.

choicemybaby619 · 08-06-2006, 03:22 PM

I agree, you could try that first, If that doesn't work then you could try a harsher bit but try the learning whoa part! GOOD LUCK!

beckyp · 08-06-2006, 03:38 PM

MY granddaughter takes lessons on horse like that,he doesn't seem to understand why anhyone would want him to stop. She is working with him for a show in dressage in September. You really have to shorten reins and start half/halts before you get him to stop in proper position.

Thoraint · 08-06-2006, 06:20 PM

I don't think moving to a harsher bit will do any good. The horse may stop, but because of pain, annoyance and sharpness of the harsh/strong bit. I think going back to the basics with the horse in the roundpen would be a better choice.

sheri7785 · 08-06-2006, 06:26 PM

Groundwork, groundwork, groundwork. Until he understands the basics on the ground he won't under saddle. After he gets it well without the bit then I would add that in and grounddrive him again not moving to the saddle until he has it. This is a training issue and with time he would just run through the harsher bit.

**Range** · 08-06-2006, 07:11 PM

I agree, groundwork on the voice command whoa first. Then, start saying it aloud when you cue it from the saddle. A harsher bit won't correct the problem and may cause other problems like head tossing.

joschrock · 08-06-2006, 09:38 PM

Very good points about ground work refresher training. Now that I think back, this was not a problem in the beginning. I think he's just being stubborn. My sister has a trainer that she uses so I am going to get with her to work this out. This horse was ridden by kids for many years and supposedly he was able to get away with alot. (so I was told) The fact that this is his only issue is a good thing.
Thanks!

EquineAlberta · 08-07-2006, 11:19 AM

I have a mare I recently bought with the same issue. She too was ridden in a tom thumb "snaffle".

I am resolving this issue in three ways:

1) I put her in a much milder bit; a "pinchless" D-ring snaffle (no curb action).
2) I say "whoa" to her whenever I am stopping her, whether riding or leading.
3) I use a one rein stop to get her to stop, and then have her stand for at least 60 seconds so she is fully stopped.

This is working quite well for this mare, which is a good thing as she is strong! I think that she had learnt to fear the bit, and by switching to a milder bit, with more straight forward action, she no longer fights the bit by by grabbing it and leaning into it. The one rein stop also prevents her from being able to lean into the bit to avoid stopping.

A stronger bit will likely make the horse even more difficult as he will be even stiffer in his jaw as his way of protecting himself.

I also try to association the deep seat with the halt, as well as the word whoa, so that she will eventually associate the shift in my seat with halting.

Karen2

08-06-2006, 02:50 PM
joschrock Weanling Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bradley, Illinois Posts: 223	My horse needs better brakes! Bit suggestions please. Hi! I am fairly new to this forum and I have a 10 yr. old paint gelding that I recently purchased and he is wonderful! The only thing that he needs work on is his brakes...or lack there of!! I ride him in a Tom Thumb snaffle and that is what the previous owners rode him in, but he hardly has any breaks. I takes all I have to pull back and get him to WHOA! I have tried shifting my weight back in the seat to see if that helped and it didn't. I'm thinking he needs a harsher bit. What are your thoughts on that? Any suggestions on what type of bit I should be using? Any and all suggestions would be great. Thanks! __________________ "In Deep Water? Turn to the One who Walked on It"

08-06-2006, 03:13 PM
dandeeqh Welcome and Introductions Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 3,683	I'm thinking he needs a refresher on what Whoa means. I wouldn't go to a harsher bit, some training on whoa instead. __________________ Brazil's National Horse is now in Canada! http://www.sunsetmarchadors.com The more I know people...The more I love my horses

08-06-2006, 03:22 PM
choicemybaby619 Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Mcdonough, GA Posts: 240	I agree, you could try that first, If that doesn't work then you could try a harsher bit but try the learning whoa part! GOOD LUCK!

08-06-2006, 03:38 PM
beckyp Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: utica,ky Posts: 4,122	MY granddaughter takes lessons on horse like that,he doesn't seem to understand why anhyone would want him to stop. She is working with him for a show in dressage in September. You really have to shorten reins and start half/halts before you get him to stop in proper position.

08-06-2006, 06:20 PM
Thoraint Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Nelson, B.C. Posts: 267	I don't think moving to a harsher bit will do any good. The horse may stop, but because of pain, annoyance and sharpness of the harsh/strong bit. I think going back to the basics with the horse in the roundpen would be a better choice. __________________ Jumping is just flat-work in the air

08-06-2006, 06:26 PM
sheri7785 Long Yearling Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Omaha Posts: 1,074	Groundwork, groundwork, groundwork. Until he understands the basics on the ground he won't under saddle. After he gets it well without the bit then I would add that in and grounddrive him again not moving to the saddle until he has it. This is a training issue and with time he would just run through the harsher bit.

08-06-2006, 07:11 PM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,898	bit I agree, groundwork on the voice command whoa first. Then, start saying it aloud when you cue it from the saddle. A harsher bit won't correct the problem and may cause other problems like head tossing. __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.

08-06-2006, 09:38 PM
joschrock Weanling Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bradley, Illinois Posts: 223	Very good points about ground work refresher training. Now that I think back, this was not a problem in the beginning. I think he's just being stubborn. My sister has a trainer that she uses so I am going to get with her to work this out. This horse was ridden by kids for many years and supposedly he was able to get away with alot. (so I was told) The fact that this is his only issue is a good thing. Thanks! __________________ "In Deep Water? Turn to the One who Walked on It"

08-07-2006, 11:19 AM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,690	I have a mare I recently bought with the same issue. She too was ridden in a tom thumb "snaffle". I am resolving this issue in three ways: 1) I put her in a much milder bit; a "pinchless" D-ring snaffle (no curb action). 2) I say "whoa" to her whenever I am stopping her, whether riding or leading. 3) I use a one rein stop to get her to stop, and then have her stand for at least 60 seconds so she is fully stopped. This is working quite well for this mare, which is a good thing as she is strong! I think that she had learnt to fear the bit, and by switching to a milder bit, with more straight forward action, she no longer fights the bit by by grabbing it and leaning into it. The one rein stop also prevents her from being able to lean into the bit to avoid stopping. A stronger bit will likely make the horse even more difficult as he will be even stiffer in his jaw as his way of protecting himself. I also try to association the deep seat with the halt, as well as the word whoa, so that she will eventually associate the shift in my seat with halting. Karen2 __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB CHT Horse Stories!