Barrel Racing: What type of bit do you use?

RockItDontKnockit22 · 05-31-2007, 01:53 PM

I've seen tons of different bits used by barrel racers, and some are pretty complicated, while others are simple...What do you use when running barrels or other speed events? Is there a "best" as far as these bits come??

paige5785 · 05-31-2007, 01:59 PM

We use a stop and turn:

It's designed to make the horse do exactly what it's name says.

RockItDontKnockit22 · 05-31-2007, 02:02 PM

What about the Sherri Cervi bits, think they would be any good?

paige5785 · 05-31-2007, 02:07 PM

Like this?:

We've never used them but I can see if I can scrounge up some information for you.

RockItDontKnockit22 · 05-31-2007, 02:13 PM

Yes thats the one exactly, and I am thinking about buying one, but they aren't cheap and I don't want to spend money on one when there is another one that works as well or better.

RockItDontKnockit22 · 05-31-2007, 02:17 PM

Well, since you probably know more about the stop and turn than the Cervi, how's it work for you?

Slim Pikkens · 05-31-2007, 02:23 PM

Regular loose ring snaffle, maybe with a running martingale.

BornToRide · 05-31-2007, 02:26 PM

On my horse I use a normal twisted snaffle with three inch shanks.

RockItDontKnockit22 · 05-31-2007, 02:36 PM

so I guess it's based on the individual and how the horse reaponds...pretty much a preference thing?

pvf · 05-31-2007, 02:49 PM

I use a Mylars combination bit on my game horses. They can respond to the nose piece before the bit. It's easier on there mouths.

cboling · 05-31-2007, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockItDontKnockit22

What about the Sherri Cervi bits, think they would be any good?

Nice bit ( the one pictured) it works well and has good weight and is balanced well worth the cost!!!

miss leanne · 05-31-2007, 02:59 PM

I've seen this bit used quite a bit on several different barrel horses. It worked well on a mare I knew who was rather tough-mouthed after being on the track and had difficulty with being picked up to set and turn.

She worked awesome in it, won a bunch of year end awards and stuff. So it depends on the horse, for sure, what you should use.

paige5785 · 05-31-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockItDontKnockit22

Well, since you probably know more about the stop and turn than the Cervi, how's it work for you?

From what I can see, it works well. To be completely honest with you, I'm not actually the one doing to barrel racing. My family does. I just watch. I'm thinking about getting a project to train for barrel racing. With the stop and turn it just makes the horse stop and turn farther into the barrel.

RockItDontKnockit22 · 05-31-2007, 06:09 PM

Miss L, you wouldn't happen to know what kind of bit that is would you? I'm trying to see if I can find one nearby...

Thanks!

Karen Cole · 05-31-2007, 06:19 PM

I use a regular Egg Butt snaffle no curb on my gelding works great.

Karen

miss leanne · 05-31-2007, 06:29 PM

they call it a draw gag bit. They have it on barrelracer.com, but the one offered there looks flimsy compared to the one on smithbrothers.com, which is where I would buy it... the price is higher, but the quality is MUCH MUCH better.

RockItDontKnockit22 · 05-31-2007, 09:30 PM

Why thanks!! Ok well...maybe I could buy several (like I've got that kinda money

) of them like the stop n turn, sherri cervi, and the draw gag, and see what works out best for me...'course i may be spendin' round 100 dollars for 3 bits...maybe i should buy one at a time...

**beth55051** · 05-31-2007, 09:40 PM

My mare has a soft mouth but can get a bit headstrong.

I use either a sweet six with a three piece mouth or a H-gag with a snaffle mouthpiece on her. I started her in a plain half moon gag (no shanks).

I don't really like plain hacks unless the horse is extremely automatic.

I've seen the bit/headstall MissL pictured at our local farm store for about $30, just as nice as the really expensives ones in the catalog.

Jr. Cowhorse bits are popular also for softer mouthed horses.

IndiaMom · 06-01-2007, 10:49 AM

My horse uses a "junior working cow horse" bit. She is a softer mouthed horse. However, she hasn't run any barrels, just cutting and reining.

Kelly4NC · 06-01-2007, 11:22 AM

I use the wonder bit on my horses. My paint who I'm training now used a d-snaffle and with it she didn't have a stop.

But with the Wonder bit, she responds better.

05-31-2007, 01:53 PM
RockItDontKnockit22 Halter broke Join Date: May 2007 Location: STL Posts: 158	Barrel Racing: What type of bit do you use? I've seen tons of different bits used by barrel racers, and some are pretty complicated, while others are simple...What do you use when running barrels or other speed events? Is there a "best" as far as these bits come?? __________________ .:TURN N BURN:. Check out my friends site for quality Gypsy Vanners~ www.aristocratichorses.com

05-31-2007, 01:59 PM
paige5785 Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 5,264	We use a stop and turn: It's designed to make the horse do exactly what it's name says.

05-31-2007, 02:02 PM
RockItDontKnockit22 Halter broke Join Date: May 2007 Location: STL Posts: 158	What about the Sherri Cervi bits, think they would be any good? __________________ .:TURN N BURN:. Check out my friends site for quality Gypsy Vanners~ www.aristocratichorses.com

05-31-2007, 02:07 PM
paige5785 Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 5,264	Like this?: We've never used them but I can see if I can scrounge up some information for you.

05-31-2007, 02:13 PM
RockItDontKnockit22 Halter broke Join Date: May 2007 Location: STL Posts: 158	Yes thats the one exactly, and I am thinking about buying one, but they aren't cheap and I don't want to spend money on one when there is another one that works as well or better. __________________ .:TURN N BURN:. Check out my friends site for quality Gypsy Vanners~ www.aristocratichorses.com

05-31-2007, 02:17 PM
RockItDontKnockit22 Halter broke Join Date: May 2007 Location: STL Posts: 158	Well, since you probably know more about the stop and turn than the Cervi, how's it work for you? __________________ .:TURN N BURN:. Check out my friends site for quality Gypsy Vanners~ www.aristocratichorses.com

05-31-2007, 02:23 PM
Slim Pikkens Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,998	Regular loose ring snaffle, maybe with a running martingale.

05-31-2007, 02:26 PM
BornToRide Long Yearling Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,470	On my horse I use a normal twisted snaffle with three inch shanks. __________________ There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man.-Winston Churchill

05-31-2007, 02:36 PM
RockItDontKnockit22 Halter broke Join Date: May 2007 Location: STL Posts: 158	so I guess it's based on the individual and how the horse reaponds...pretty much a preference thing? __________________ .:TURN N BURN:. Check out my friends site for quality Gypsy Vanners~ www.aristocratichorses.com

05-31-2007, 02:49 PM
pvf Regional Forums Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Minnesota Posts: 6,779	I use a Mylars combination bit on my game horses. They can respond to the nose piece before the bit. It's easier on there mouths. __________________ www.prairieviewfarms.net Raising Reg. Paints and Quarter horses

05-31-2007, 02:59 PM
miss leanne Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,532	I've seen this bit used quite a bit on several different barrel horses. It worked well on a mare I knew who was rather tough-mouthed after being on the track and had difficulty with being picked up to set and turn. She worked awesome in it, won a bunch of year end awards and stuff. So it depends on the horse, for sure, what you should use.

05-31-2007, 06:09 PM
RockItDontKnockit22 Halter broke Join Date: May 2007 Location: STL Posts: 158	Miss L, you wouldn't happen to know what kind of bit that is would you? I'm trying to see if I can find one nearby... Thanks! __________________ .:TURN N BURN:. Check out my friends site for quality Gypsy Vanners~ www.aristocratichorses.com

05-31-2007, 06:19 PM
Karen Cole Coming two Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,549	I use a regular Egg Butt snaffle no curb on my gelding works great. Karen

05-31-2007, 06:29 PM
miss leanne Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,532	they call it a draw gag bit. They have it on barrelracer.com, but the one offered there looks flimsy compared to the one on smithbrothers.com, which is where I would buy it... the price is higher, but the quality is MUCH MUCH better.

05-31-2007, 09:30 PM
RockItDontKnockit22 Halter broke Join Date: May 2007 Location: STL Posts: 158	Why thanks!! Ok well...maybe I could buy several (like I've got that kinda money ) of them like the stop n turn, sherri cervi, and the draw gag, and see what works out best for me...'course i may be spendin' round 100 dollars for 3 bits...maybe i should buy one at a time... __________________ .:TURN N BURN:. Check out my friends site for quality Gypsy Vanners~ www.aristocratichorses.com

05-31-2007, 09:40 PM
beth55051 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 4,870	My mare has a soft mouth but can get a bit headstrong. I use either a sweet six with a three piece mouth or a H-gag with a snaffle mouthpiece on her. I started her in a plain half moon gag (no shanks). I don't really like plain hacks unless the horse is extremely automatic. I've seen the bit/headstall MissL pictured at our local farm store for about $30, just as nice as the really expensives ones in the catalog. Jr. Cowhorse bits are popular also for softer mouthed horses. __________________ Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.

06-01-2007, 10:49 AM
IndiaMom Halter broke Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 177	My horse uses a "junior working cow horse" bit. She is a softer mouthed horse. However, she hasn't run any barrels, just cutting and reining. __________________ The purpose of life is a life of purpose. --Robert Byrne

06-01-2007, 11:22 AM
Kelly4NC Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Clyde, NC > 9 miles of friendly people, plus 1 old crab Posts: 3,242	I use the wonder bit on my horses. My paint who I'm training now used a d-snaffle and with it she didn't have a stop. But with the Wonder bit, she responds better. __________________ *Support the wild horses on North Carolina Outer Banks* http://www.corollawildhorses.com/