Introducing bit * UPDATE *

horsey-gal · 08-13-2008, 07:30 PM

I have been working on lunging Lil Bit with a surcingle, he is going excellent at all gaits while maintaining an excellent whoa. I was wondering is it too early to introduce a bit and maybe start ground driving? This wouldn't happen until next week or possibly later.
We have done lots of ground work ( I know you can't have too much groundwork ), I just feel that Lil Bit is a very quick learner and I don't want him to get bored. I also don't want to rush into anything either.
So far, we have walked on trails, lunged at all gaits ( not alot of loping ), he ties, crossties, excellent with feet, spray, hose, wheelbarrow

lunges with surcingle, over ground poles. I have also lunged him around pilons with flags sticking out of the top of them, blowing in the wind, as well as coats blowing on the side of the ring.
What can I do now?
When I do introduce the bit, how do I go about doing it? I will be super easy and not bump his teeth with the bit. He has had his wolf teeth removed.
ALso, is it necessary to ground drive with a bit and bridle?

Wolfie · 08-14-2008, 02:07 AM

How old is Lil Bit?

I would just put the bit in his mouth and leave it adjusted fairly loose. Let him wear it for a while (supervised, of course!) in his stall or during grooming. Let him chew it and get used to it, then gradually start applying cues with it.

**gbarmranch** · 08-14-2008, 05:13 AM

We put the headstall on them with the bit, and let them wander around the round pen with it -- then a bit of round pen work with it on.. no reins.. Make sure it is fitted will and is sitting quietly in his mouth..

You can ground drive with a bit.. but when I start one, I don't.. I use a side pull instead so I don't hurt the mouth until they understand what I am asking with the lines..

You will find as many answers to your question as there are people to answer it.. as long as you go slowly, with anything new, and it is humane, I really don't think you will mess him up.. you have done a great job with him so far..

horsey-gal · 08-14-2008, 06:15 AM

Lil Bit is 2.5 yrs.
If I don't need a bit to ground drive, I am not going to use one. I would love for him to be trained with no bit at all, but I am sure it will come eventually.
I will look into getting or borrowing a side pull instead for now and go from there.
What rings do I put the lines through on the surcingle?

raidergirl · 08-14-2008, 10:18 AM

I ground drove mine off the halter a few times. I would put the lines through the middle ring on the surcingle.. Not too high, not too low. Good luck! have fun! sounds like you have a nice calm one to work with.

horsey-gal · 08-14-2008, 06:47 PM

Today I lunged Lil Bit with my western saddle

No hesitation, no buck, nothing. He was AWESOME!!
Once he is comfortable going at all gaits under saddle, we'll start ground driving with just a halter. I hope I am not moving too fast, he seems to enjoy new things.
I will have pics as soon as I can get someone to help.

horsey-gal · 08-14-2008, 07:58 PM

Anyone? I am very excited here

CatsTack · 08-16-2008, 01:50 PM

Sounds like you're doing great!! Someone already suggested what I like to do. I like to just put the bit on and let 'em hang out, then work. After I feel the horsey's used to it I start to introduce giving to the pressure of the bit. You can leave a rope halter or strap halter on with the headstall/bridle and bit. Pick up both the halter lead and the bit rein with the rein looser than the lead. Then gently bring your arm closer to your body. All this is done on the ground.

You can introduce more contact on the rein when you feel he's ready, eventually not using the lead rope at all.

Hope this helps

horsey-gal · 08-16-2008, 09:18 PM

That helped alot but I am going to do as much as I can without a bit. I feel that there isn't anything that he shouldn't be able to do with a bit that he can't do in a halter. Having a bit shouldn't change anything.
I am also going to take a step back to make sure I haven't missed anything. We are going to review moving away from pressure on his sides in different areas, leading through more trails, doing all around everything before I go any further with a saddle OR bridle.
I don't want to get too excited and too ahead of myself and end up hurting him in anyway. I am NOT a trainer, so I want to be sure I am doing everything the "right" way the first time

**gbarmranch** · 08-17-2008, 07:23 AM

Well, for a "not a trainer" person, it sounds to me as if you are doing things the right way.

He is going to be an awesome horse under saddle because you are doing the most important things.. such as introducing all new areas slowly - making sure he is comfortable with them and understands what you are asking of him before moving on - and keeping it as simple as possible when it comes to bits, etc..

That IS what training is all about..

horsey-gal · 08-17-2008, 08:00 AM

Thanks Gbar

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08-13-2008, 07:30 PM
horsey-gal Coming two Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Valley, N.S Posts: 1,650	Introducing bit * UPDATE * I have been working on lunging Lil Bit with a surcingle, he is going excellent at all gaits while maintaining an excellent whoa. I was wondering is it too early to introduce a bit and maybe start ground driving? This wouldn't happen until next week or possibly later. We have done lots of ground work ( I know you can't have too much groundwork ), I just feel that Lil Bit is a very quick learner and I don't want him to get bored. I also don't want to rush into anything either. So far, we have walked on trails, lunged at all gaits ( not alot of loping ), he ties, crossties, excellent with feet, spray, hose, wheelbarrow lunges with surcingle, over ground poles. I have also lunged him around pilons with flags sticking out of the top of them, blowing in the wind, as well as coats blowing on the side of the ring. What can I do now? When I do introduce the bit, how do I go about doing it? I will be super easy and not bump his teeth with the bit. He has had his wolf teeth removed. ALso, is it necessary to ground drive with a bit and bridle? __________________ " If God made anything more beautiful, he kept it for himself. " Last edited by horsey-gal : 08-14-2008 at 06:48 PM.

08-14-2008, 02:07 AM
Wolfie Coming two Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: US Posts: 1,547	How old is Lil Bit? I would just put the bit in his mouth and leave it adjusted fairly loose. Let him wear it for a while (supervised, of course!) in his stall or during grooming. Let him chew it and get used to it, then gradually start applying cues with it.

08-14-2008, 05:13 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,233	We put the headstall on them with the bit, and let them wander around the round pen with it -- then a bit of round pen work with it on.. no reins.. Make sure it is fitted will and is sitting quietly in his mouth.. You can ground drive with a bit.. but when I start one, I don't.. I use a side pull instead so I don't hurt the mouth until they understand what I am asking with the lines.. You will find as many answers to your question as there are people to answer it.. as long as you go slowly, with anything new, and it is humane, I really don't think you will mess him up.. you have done a great job with him so far.. __________________ Quality FoundationQuarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Minds are like parachutes – they only function when open – Thomas Dewar

08-14-2008, 06:15 AM
horsey-gal Coming two Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Valley, N.S Posts: 1,650	Lil Bit is 2.5 yrs. If I don't need a bit to ground drive, I am not going to use one. I would love for him to be trained with no bit at all, but I am sure it will come eventually. I will look into getting or borrowing a side pull instead for now and go from there. What rings do I put the lines through on the surcingle? __________________ " If God made anything more beautiful, he kept it for himself. "

08-14-2008, 10:18 AM
raidergirl Weanling Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 278	I ground drove mine off the halter a few times. I would put the lines through the middle ring on the surcingle.. Not too high, not too low. Good luck! have fun! sounds like you have a nice calm one to work with.

08-14-2008, 06:47 PM
horsey-gal Coming two Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Valley, N.S Posts: 1,650	Today I lunged Lil Bit with my western saddle No hesitation, no buck, nothing. He was AWESOME!! Once he is comfortable going at all gaits under saddle, we'll start ground driving with just a halter. I hope I am not moving too fast, he seems to enjoy new things. I will have pics as soon as I can get someone to help. __________________ " If God made anything more beautiful, he kept it for himself. "

08-14-2008, 07:58 PM
horsey-gal Coming two Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Valley, N.S Posts: 1,650	Anyone? I am very excited here __________________ " If God made anything more beautiful, he kept it for himself. "

08-16-2008, 01:50 PM
CatsTack Halter broke Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NC Posts: 106	Sounds like you're doing great!! Someone already suggested what I like to do. I like to just put the bit on and let 'em hang out, then work. After I feel the horsey's used to it I start to introduce giving to the pressure of the bit. You can leave a rope halter or strap halter on with the headstall/bridle and bit. Pick up both the halter lead and the bit rein with the rein looser than the lead. Then gently bring your arm closer to your body. All this is done on the ground. You can introduce more contact on the rein when you feel he's ready, eventually not using the lead rope at all. Hope this helps __________________ Handmade tack including rope halters, leads, barrel reins, trail reins, and rhythm beads www.catstack.com

08-16-2008, 09:18 PM
horsey-gal Coming two Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Valley, N.S Posts: 1,650	That helped alot but I am going to do as much as I can without a bit. I feel that there isn't anything that he shouldn't be able to do with a bit that he can't do in a halter. Having a bit shouldn't change anything. I am also going to take a step back to make sure I haven't missed anything. We are going to review moving away from pressure on his sides in different areas, leading through more trails, doing all around everything before I go any further with a saddle OR bridle. I don't want to get too excited and too ahead of myself and end up hurting him in anyway. I am NOT a trainer, so I want to be sure I am doing everything the "right" way the first time __________________ " If God made anything more beautiful, he kept it for himself. "

08-17-2008, 07:23 AM
gbarmranch Administrator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Tennessee Posts: 29,233	Well, for a "not a trainer" person, it sounds to me as if you are doing things the right way. He is going to be an awesome horse under saddle because you are doing the most important things.. such as introducing all new areas slowly - making sure he is comfortable with them and understands what you are asking of him before moving on - and keeping it as simple as possible when it comes to bits, etc.. That IS what training is all about.. __________________ Quality FoundationQuarter Horses http://home.earthlink.net/~vpgann Minds are like parachutes – they only function when open – Thomas Dewar

08-17-2008, 08:00 AM
horsey-gal Coming two Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Valley, N.S Posts: 1,650	Thanks Gbar __________________ " If God made anything more beautiful, he kept it for himself. "