What type of bridle do you start young horses in?

**beth55051** · 08-01-2007, 04:24 PM

I was just sitting here bored watching it rain out side YEAH!!! and was wondering what type of headgear/bridle does everyone like to start their young horses in?

Bit, bosal, halter? Why do you use it and for what reasons?

I myself like a good fitting rope halter for starting colts in. I like it because they are already familar with it, it's comfortable, doesn't damage their sensitive mouths and I can do both ground work and saddle work with the same setup.

I attach the reins to the part that runs from the knot on the cheek to the fiador knot below. One on either side so it has a bit of individual side to side action. I do all of the ground work in the rope halter so the transfer over to in the saddle work is easy for them to understand.

Once they're going well undersaddle and have the basics down I'll introduce a plain, smooth mouthed snaffle bit (no shanks) under the halter. Let them just wear it around for a few days and then attach a second set of reins to it so I can always go back to the familar rope halter.

It seems to work well for me this way. I can still ride most of my older horses in the rope halter for trails or what have you.

What does everyone else like and why?

Luv2Game · 08-01-2007, 04:32 PM

I am riding my mare in a side pull right now. I really like it! For the same reasons as you, I want to get a lot of things under our belt, before I put a bit in her mouth. I want her to be used to leg and seat cues, and word cues, that way she already knows what I am wanting, without me pulling on her mouth. When we are ready to transition, I will go to a copper smooth mouth snaffle. Just because that is what I already have.

Gallamist · 08-01-2007, 04:38 PM

I started my stallion in the monty roberts halter. He did wonderful with it then once he was in that for awhile I moved him to a loose ring snaffle...and were now in a Off set D ring snaffle.

lovemydusty · 08-01-2007, 04:47 PM

I ride my horse in a little S hackamore. She's so good , I don't ever think about putting a bit in her mouth. She was trained in a stop 'n' turn, so I thought it was a natural progression, since I didn't have a stop 'n' turn. I will , however need to use a bit for my QH/Belgian, unless they make super big hackamores!!!She's had a full cheek snaffle in her mouth, and seemed comfortable with it. I'll probably start her in that.I don't want to mess us their soft mouths, either.

eieio · 08-01-2007, 05:23 PM

Just depends on the horse. If they are mellow halter.

If they tend to be lazy but resistant to the sides, sidepull

If they are quick and want to move we go right to the snaffle after ground driving

chappel16 · 08-01-2007, 05:27 PM

All mine are broke in a sidepull until they are very responsive to the reins, legs, etc... Than they go to a snaffle bit.

ToveroMom · 08-01-2007, 05:33 PM

Start them in a snaffle then move them up into a bosal.
Bits aren't bad

**gbarmranch** · 08-01-2007, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eieio

Just depends on the horse. If they are mellow halter.

If they tend to be lazy but resistant to the sides, sidepull

If they are quick and want to move we go right to the snaffle after ground driving

Pretty much the same - I do like a tom thumb - but that is just me..

**Range** · 08-01-2007, 07:47 PM

Halter first because I want them listening to my body cues and my voice and not worrying about that thing in their mouths. Though, they all get a bit to chew on before I ride them.

Then, switch to side pull, then to full-cheek snaffle.

chappel16 · 08-01-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Range

Halter first because I want them listening to my body cues and my voice and not worrying about that thing in their mouths. Though, they all get a bit to chew on before I ride them.

Then, switch to side pull, then to full-cheek snaffle.

Thats my route...

Touche · 08-01-2007, 09:17 PM

I use a rope halter, figure that they are used to it.

Have the horse start wearing the browband bridle with a snaffle while working a halter.

When horse is used to everything in a halter like line driving and flexing, then I move on to the snaffle.

instigatorkate · 08-01-2007, 09:55 PM

Beth, I do exactly the same as you!!

I like the halter cuz when you first start them it's not unusual to need a little extra pressure to get the message through, and I don't feel bad if I have to pull hard on the halter.

I introduce them to bit pressure with side reins first, and then gradually make the switch, halter pressure first, then bit.

dreamcleaner · 08-02-2007, 06:54 AM

Riley has used a bit. When he went to trainers she used a bit for a couple of days, because I wanted bitless she went to halter, the to the bitless when it came in.

I understand the bitless is amazing for training.

David · 08-07-2007, 12:19 PM

Have any of ya'll seen these halter/bridle things that look like a rope halter except it has a ring attached ( one on each side of the face) to the nose band ropes? They look like they work like a sidepull. I'm just curious if any have used them and how effective they are? If you have used them do you like them?

ETA: Everyone has mentioned starting in a rope halter (which is great) but no one said anything about halter breaking as a weanling in a flat halter before progressing to a rope halter. Do you guys not do this? I have always felt that the rope halters are too harsh for a weanling's sensitive face. I have always had good results with getting them to give to the flat halter then using a rope halter after they have learned to accept direction.

**beth55051** · 08-07-2007, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Have any of ya'll seen these halter/bridle things that look like a rope halter except it has a ring attached ( one on each side of the face) to the nose band ropes? They look like they work like a sidepull. I'm just curious if any have used them and how effective they are? If you have used them do you like them?

ETA: Everyone has mentioned starting in a rope halter (which is great) but no one said anything about halter breaking as a weanling in a flat halter before progressing to a rope halter. Do you guys not do this? I have always felt that the rope halters are too harsh for a weanling's sensitive face. I have always had good results with getting them to give to the flat halter then using a rope halter after they have learned to accept direction.

Yes, I've seen those but I'm not crazy about how far forward on thier face the rings line up. I just clip the reins onto the part that runs from the side knot to the fiador so the pull comes more from the side/underneath.

I do use (and it's about the only time) a flat web halter for babies first few lessons for that reason. I also like to let them teach themselves by dragging a lead rope around for a while (supervised of course). Teaches them how to release pressure and begins the hobble breaking/desensitizing of their legs without a fight.

Smilie · 08-07-2007, 04:56 PM

Hi
depends on the horse and what ground work already has been done.
Foals are halter broke in a plain nylon halter, and in fact I never use a rope halter on any horse-nothing wrong if you like them, just not my choice
It is the foundation that really matters and then it really doesn't matter what direct signal devise you use-halter, sidepull, snaffle (a snaffle is always without shanks and non leverage. The term shanked snaffle is incorrect), or bosel. I have started horses in all of the above and wound up with good responsive horses
There is the perception that a bit is harsh , compared to a rope halter, but that is not true if the program is right. In fact, some rope halters like the parelli halter work on the nerve line principle.
Horses are taught on the ground with a halter first the whoa concept, tying, yielding hips and ground tying. I then teach them to lunge off of the halter,just wearing a snaffle over the halter and reins tied loose to the saddle. They learn to pack a bit with a quiet mouth. Once they understand all gaits, I start to check them back with the reins gradually.over weeks, depending on horse-until they understand when face is on the verticle, they reward themselves and all pressure is removed. I then ground drive them a few times.By this time one can lunge them off of the inside ring of the snaffle
Thus, by the time I get on them, they know how to yield to direct bit pressure and basics of guiding. They are comfortable because they have been taught how to carry their top line at all gaits and transititions, so are not faced with both the new experience of a rider and the signals of a bit at the same time. One can then just add leg, and only needs very light rein-so no damage to the mouth, and all my horses work with a quiet mouth, no cavasson needed. I will then sometimes alternate between a bosel and the snaffle.
I just have found no advantage to starting first with either a sidepull or a halter-as I show my jr horses and like to ride them in the equipement they will show in. No problem riding these horses out of a field or down to the river on a trail camp out, with a halter.
It is the program that matters and the end result. My finished horses work off of leg and seat on a loose rein, quiet closed mouth and very responsive to all aids.

kristin · 08-07-2007, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chappel16

All mine are broke in a sidepull until they are very responsive to the reins, legs, etc... Than they go to a snaffle bit.

ditto.
i start all my young horses in a sidepull. i absolutely love the side pull then i move them to a smooth snaffle. I hate those that try to too hard and too fast. but of course everything depends on the owner/trainer.
everybody has different training techniques

ruffian · 08-07-2007, 05:02 PM

I start lunging in a halter or a lunging caveson
I then go to a snaffle (either a really fat eggbut or a rubber) for ground driving.
I do it this way because I am starting English horses and even if I do teach them to neck rein, they must take a consistent contact and work on the bit for me.

Eagles Nest · 08-08-2007, 02:00 PM

Well, none of our horses get ridden for the first time if they don't do these things: walk and trot by voice, and whoa. Then, they must guide and turn, who, etc with a bit in their mouth and long line pretty exceptionally well, then they must also have good forward thinking/movement. Once their there, the rider is just another baby step....but all of ours start on the longe, then in lines, then under saddle or in harness, then whichever of the last two they didn't do, they learn that....So, all of our "broke" horses long line, ride and drive, hardly any exceptions (there are a few here and there that either won't ride or won't drive, but they usually excel at what they do like).

JMO, but I don't get on if it is such a big step that they are still thinking the bit is "foreign"...

Perrys_mama · 08-08-2007, 02:35 PM

I don't know if Perry counts as "started". I've sat on his back and nudged his sides, then played with the reins a bit, but he didn't really respond to any of it.

Perry was halter broken the first time using a leather halter, and then he kind of went wild again when no one handled him for the winter. I halter broke him the second time with a Parelli rope halter. He was always pretty responsive to the halter, though he did go through a stubborn "I'm not moving" stage.

I went back to flat web halters because the Parelli halter really started to bug his face. He would toss his head and pull really hard against it...and no matter how well I tied the knot, it always seemed to slip loose after a while.

I lunge Perry in the flat web halter, or if we're being fancy, a flat leather halter. I clip the line into the side ring, over the poll and to the outside cheek.

I stuck a nylon web bridle on him a few weeks ago, very loose and no cavesson. He was pretty distracted by the bit, so we're going to keep reintroducing it slowly. It's a big fat, brass coated french link.

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08-01-2007, 04:24 PM
beth55051 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 4,870	What type of bridle do you start young horses in? I was just sitting here bored watching it rain out side YEAH!!! and was wondering what type of headgear/bridle does everyone like to start their young horses in? Bit, bosal, halter? Why do you use it and for what reasons? I myself like a good fitting rope halter for starting colts in. I like it because they are already familar with it, it's comfortable, doesn't damage their sensitive mouths and I can do both ground work and saddle work with the same setup. I attach the reins to the part that runs from the knot on the cheek to the fiador knot below. One on either side so it has a bit of individual side to side action. I do all of the ground work in the rope halter so the transfer over to in the saddle work is easy for them to understand. Once they're going well undersaddle and have the basics down I'll introduce a plain, smooth mouthed snaffle bit (no shanks) under the halter. Let them just wear it around for a few days and then attach a second set of reins to it so I can always go back to the familar rope halter. It seems to work well for me this way. I can still ride most of my older horses in the rope halter for trails or what have you. What does everyone else like and why? __________________ Do not mind anything that anyone tells you about anyone else. Judge everyone and everything for yourself.

08-01-2007, 04:32 PM
Luv2Game Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,424	I am riding my mare in a side pull right now. I really like it! For the same reasons as you, I want to get a lot of things under our belt, before I put a bit in her mouth. I want her to be used to leg and seat cues, and word cues, that way she already knows what I am wanting, without me pulling on her mouth. When we are ready to transition, I will go to a copper smooth mouth snaffle. Just because that is what I already have. __________________ "Horses know nothing of money, status, beauty or accomplishment...Horses see only our hearts, and they accept or reject us based on what they find within... - Mary Midkiff

08-01-2007, 04:38 PM
Gallamist Weanling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Beaumont, AB Posts: 294	I started my stallion in the monty roberts halter. He did wonderful with it then once he was in that for awhile I moved him to a loose ring snaffle...and were now in a Off set D ring snaffle. __________________ A horse Remembers what happened, before what happened, happened. ~Ken Schmuland~ http://www.vershantieranch.20fr.com

08-01-2007, 04:47 PM
lovemydusty Weanling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pensacola, Fl Posts: 417	I ride my horse in a little S hackamore. She's so good , I don't ever think about putting a bit in her mouth. She was trained in a stop 'n' turn, so I thought it was a natural progression, since I didn't have a stop 'n' turn. I will , however need to use a bit for my QH/Belgian, unless they make super big hackamores!!!She's had a full cheek snaffle in her mouth, and seemed comfortable with it. I'll probably start her in that.I don't want to mess us their soft mouths, either.

08-01-2007, 05:23 PM
eieio Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,138	Just depends on the horse. If they are mellow halter. If they tend to be lazy but resistant to the sides, sidepull If they are quick and want to move we go right to the snaffle after ground driving __________________ There is no such thing as a always or never in the horse world. Say that one time and some horse some where will prove you wrong!. Visit us at www.woodfoxfarm.com

08-01-2007, 05:27 PM
chappel16 Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oviedo Florida Posts: 1,072	All mine are broke in a sidepull until they are very responsive to the reins, legs, etc... Than they go to a snaffle bit. __________________ www.sunlitstables.piczo.com

08-01-2007, 05:33 PM
ToveroMom Pasture Pet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cleveland TX Posts: 15,772	Start them in a snaffle then move them up into a bosal. Bits aren't bad

08-01-2007, 07:47 PM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,898	Halter first because I want them listening to my body cues and my voice and not worrying about that thing in their mouths. Though, they all get a bit to chew on before I ride them. Then, switch to side pull, then to full-cheek snaffle. __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.

08-01-2007, 09:17 PM
Touche Coming two Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,902	I use a rope halter, figure that they are used to it. Have the horse start wearing the browband bridle with a snaffle while working a halter. When horse is used to everything in a halter like line driving and flexing, then I move on to the snaffle. __________________ Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. W.C.Fields

08-01-2007, 09:55 PM
instigatorkate Long Yearling Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,197	Beth, I do exactly the same as you!! I like the halter cuz when you first start them it's not unusual to need a little extra pressure to get the message through, and I don't feel bad if I have to pull hard on the halter. I introduce them to bit pressure with side reins first, and then gradually make the switch, halter pressure first, then bit. __________________ Getting through PA School is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see a couple feet in front of you at a time, but you can drive the whole distance like that.

08-02-2007, 06:54 AM
dreamcleaner Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ontario Posts: 2,359	Riley has used a bit. When he went to trainers she used a bit for a couple of days, because I wanted bitless she went to halter, the to the bitless when it came in. I understand the bitless is amazing for training.

08-07-2007, 12:19 PM
David Long Yearling Join Date: May 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,069	Have any of ya'll seen these halter/bridle things that look like a rope halter except it has a ring attached ( one on each side of the face) to the nose band ropes? They look like they work like a sidepull. I'm just curious if any have used them and how effective they are? If you have used them do you like them? ETA: Everyone has mentioned starting in a rope halter (which is great) but no one said anything about halter breaking as a weanling in a flat halter before progressing to a rope halter. Do you guys not do this? I have always felt that the rope halters are too harsh for a weanling's sensitive face. I have always had good results with getting them to give to the flat halter then using a rope halter after they have learned to accept direction. __________________ "If you see your stirrups slap together above the horn, you're probably bucked off". Dave Stamey. Last edited by David : 08-07-2007 at 12:22 PM.

08-07-2007, 04:56 PM
Smilie Halter broke Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alberta canada Posts: 195	Hi depends on the horse and what ground work already has been done. Foals are halter broke in a plain nylon halter, and in fact I never use a rope halter on any horse-nothing wrong if you like them, just not my choice It is the foundation that really matters and then it really doesn't matter what direct signal devise you use-halter, sidepull, snaffle (a snaffle is always without shanks and non leverage. The term shanked snaffle is incorrect), or bosel. I have started horses in all of the above and wound up with good responsive horses There is the perception that a bit is harsh , compared to a rope halter, but that is not true if the program is right. In fact, some rope halters like the parelli halter work on the nerve line principle. Horses are taught on the ground with a halter first the whoa concept, tying, yielding hips and ground tying. I then teach them to lunge off of the halter,just wearing a snaffle over the halter and reins tied loose to the saddle. They learn to pack a bit with a quiet mouth. Once they understand all gaits, I start to check them back with the reins gradually.over weeks, depending on horse-until they understand when face is on the verticle, they reward themselves and all pressure is removed. I then ground drive them a few times.By this time one can lunge them off of the inside ring of the snaffle Thus, by the time I get on them, they know how to yield to direct bit pressure and basics of guiding. They are comfortable because they have been taught how to carry their top line at all gaits and transititions, so are not faced with both the new experience of a rider and the signals of a bit at the same time. One can then just add leg, and only needs very light rein-so no damage to the mouth, and all my horses work with a quiet mouth, no cavasson needed. I will then sometimes alternate between a bosel and the snaffle. I just have found no advantage to starting first with either a sidepull or a halter-as I show my jr horses and like to ride them in the equipement they will show in. No problem riding these horses out of a field or down to the river on a trail camp out, with a halter. It is the program that matters and the end result. My finished horses work off of leg and seat on a loose rein, quiet closed mouth and very responsive to all aids. __________________ Great horses are born, not made, we only put on the refinement

08-07-2007, 05:02 PM
ruffian Long Yearling Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Alberta Posts: 1,017	I start lunging in a halter or a lunging caveson I then go to a snaffle (either a really fat eggbut or a rubber) for ground driving. I do it this way because I am starting English horses and even if I do teach them to neck rein, they must take a consistent contact and work on the bit for me. __________________ There is something about the outside of a Horse that\'s good for the inside of a man (Will Rogers)

08-08-2007, 02:00 PM
Eagles Nest Long Yearling Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,021	Well, none of our horses get ridden for the first time if they don't do these things: walk and trot by voice, and whoa. Then, they must guide and turn, who, etc with a bit in their mouth and long line pretty exceptionally well, then they must also have good forward thinking/movement. Once their there, the rider is just another baby step....but all of ours start on the longe, then in lines, then under saddle or in harness, then whichever of the last two they didn't do, they learn that....So, all of our "broke" horses long line, ride and drive, hardly any exceptions (there are a few here and there that either won't ride or won't drive, but they usually excel at what they do like). JMO, but I don't get on if it is such a big step that they are still thinking the bit is "foreign"... __________________ You earn your blue ribbons at home, you just pick them up at shows!

08-08-2007, 02:35 PM
Perrys_mama Yearling Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 887	I don't know if Perry counts as "started". I've sat on his back and nudged his sides, then played with the reins a bit, but he didn't really respond to any of it. Perry was halter broken the first time using a leather halter, and then he kind of went wild again when no one handled him for the winter. I halter broke him the second time with a Parelli rope halter. He was always pretty responsive to the halter, though he did go through a stubborn "I'm not moving" stage. I went back to flat web halters because the Parelli halter really started to bug his face. He would toss his head and pull really hard against it...and no matter how well I tied the knot, it always seemed to slip loose after a while. I lunge Perry in the flat web halter, or if we're being fancy, a flat leather halter. I clip the line into the side ring, over the poll and to the outside cheek. I stuck a nylon web bridle on him a few weeks ago, very loose and no cavesson. He was pretty distracted by the bit, so we're going to keep reintroducing it slowly. It's a big fat, brass coated french link.