Bitting question

["Tracey" <tracey@tbt.co.za>]

Angie, I tried sending you an earlier email but had a power cut (aaarrggghhh).  Just my 2 cents on this:

 

 

1.  Hackamores and curbs can put pressure on the chin.  You then have a bridle which says "head down" (poll pressure) AND "head up" (chin strap / curb chain).

 

 

2.  Elevators are a nice compromise.  You get the "head down" but no "head up".  Also, because of the sliding action, you don't have the severe poll pressure you have with, say, a pelham / kimblewicke.  I use the elevator on PG when he's being a dork in the country (he likes to go into 4 foot solid fences at extended trot.  I think NOT!!!)

 

3.  Try to avoid a single jointed mouthpiece, for reasons which have been discussed ad nauseam on RC.  But, because Kaboot is like Toc and has the "disappearing head syndrome", try not to go mullen mouth, either.  Mine has a KK mouthpiece, but a French mouthpiece works just as well.

 

 

The TTouch bit isn't something I've tried, because I didn't like the look of it.  My horses have low palates and that raised bit in the mouthpiece was a turn-off.  Also, it seemed a bit gimicky to me (although I haven't got the courage yet to tell Bobbie that!)  The KK offers a similar tongue action (rolls across the tongue) and the elevator adds poll pressure.  It can also be ridden off of two reins.

 

 

And Useless Information Of The Day : correct name for an elevator "Viennese Snaffle".  And if it's good enough for the lippies, it's good enough for me <grin>  Not that they used it, but one can always delude oneself, if not the rest of the world.

 

 

Good luck.

 

 

Tracey