Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Jim Holland <lanconn@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> From: "Jim Holland" <lanconn@xxxxxxx>
> To: "'Marlene Moss'" <Marlene@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
> "'Ridecamp \(E-mail\)'" <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: RE: [RC] switching to bit
> Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 02:33:10 -0400
>
> There is a really good article in EQUUS this month on just this subject.
> Pick up a copy...deals with all those issues.
>
> Jim, Sun of Dimanche+, and Mahada Magic
>
> Richard T. "Jim" Holland
> Three Creeks Farm
> 175 Hells Hollow Drive
> Blue Ridge, Ga 30513
> (706) 258-2830
> www.threecreeksarabians.com
> Callsign KI4BEN
> -----Original Message-----
> From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Marlene Moss
> Sent: Wednesday, September 20, 2006 1:18 AM
> To: Ridecamp
> Subject: [RC] switching to
>  bit
>
>
> Hi,
> I am looking at a horse that has been ridden in a hackamore (something
> called a beetle which I hadn't seen before) and isn't particularly
> responsive to it. She's been ridden bitless because her teeth had never
> been done (until today) and there were severe hooks - she's only 6! The
> person who owned her for most of her life didn't have much of a clue as
> far as I've heard and her current owner uses voice more than hands and
> has only ridden her in the area and has zero fear of her somewhat
> nervous speed. She was going to use her for barrel racing. I'm
> basically considering her a green horse that's just been started.
>
> She had her float today and the vet said I could start her bit training
> tomorrow. I plan on starting easy, just longing with a bit and some
> ground work testing her reaction.
>
> I'd like some suggestions on good starting bits for a sensitive horse
> that is new to a bit. I have several to play with.
>  While long term I
> would like to ride her bitless, I do use my hands fairly actively (I do
> have soft hands, but active) and one thing I read on the Jessica Jahiel
> site was that the beetle wasn't a good piece of gear for someone
> actively with the reins. Does this make sense and if so, is any bitless
> device specifically better with active hands for long term plans?
>
> Anyhow, back to the bit. I generally dislike single jointed bits if I'm
> having to more strongly communicate with a horse (might be the case in
> the beginning as I calm her down and get her out on the trail) but I've
> used and have several basic snaffles like eggbutts. I also have a
> couple barrel Meyler bits, including the combo bit (which all of my
> horses have ignored in the past) that I could try. And a solid Mullen
> mouth. And a Richard Shrake with a little disk in the middle which
> makes a double joint - but I've heard it discussed as a more advanced
> bit (which the
>  Meylers probably are as well). One of my horses goes
> beautifully in a ported roller bit with 5" shanks - and won't even let
> me put anything else in her mouth. Not what I would consider a starting
> point though!
>
> I really don't know how to find a bit in any other manner than trial and
> error - and maybe there isn't any better method? I would like to start
> things off nicely for her (especially since she's probably had pain in
> her mouth for a while). Does it make better sense to start with a
> typical eggbutt snaffle or something that I think is nicer but might be
> "too advanced" for a horse that needs basic training and retraining? If
> I need to go buy something else, I'd really rather a good direction to
> go in than trial an error right now (small town that thinks that a Tom
> Thumb is the only bit you need, plus lack of throwaway funds!).
>
> I know this is vague and that there are no definite answers, but I guess
> I'd just be happy to
>  see some discussion on what types of bits are
> friendly to sensitive horses and what experiences you have had.
>
> Thanks all!
> Marlene
>
> Marlene Moss
> Saddle Fitting - www.KineticEquineAnalysis.com
> Boarding/Training - www.LosPinos-CO.com 
>
>
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>
> Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
> Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
> Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp
>
> Ride Long and Ride Safe!!
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
>
> Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
> Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
> Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp
>
> Ride Long and Ride
>  Safe!!
>
> =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

---

The best gets better. See why everyone is raving about the All-new Yahoo! Mail.