Also, be aware that some horses just can’t stand prosperity. You can teach a horse a lot in the Billy Allen. Just click on the link to go to the subscribe page. Horse Bitting Consultants. A steel rod inserted in a horse’s mouth and held in place by the rest of the bridle. And you stay with that mild bit until the colt doesn’t respond to it well enough anymore. With that idea in mind, a green colt will usually be ridden with an o-ring snaffle that has a smooth 7/16” mouthpiece. EVER. You can contact Larry via his website: www.HorseTrainingVideos.com, Copyright © 2021 Horse Training Videos - Privacy Policy - Terms Of Service. HorsesFor Sale. A bit is only a communication tool and should only be used to handle a horse, not to hurt them. Ideally, the horse should be taught to do everything that you want him to while being ridden in the snaffle bit. They So it’s an important part of bitting that all horse receive regular, competent dental exams and treatment from an equine dental vet. Whilst bitting a horse for riding is fundamental, the need for correct bitting in carriage driving is actually much greater. Most horses love this bit and you can usually leave a horse in it for most of his training. Horse Bitting Consultants work with you to find the perfect bit to communicate clearly with your horse Others will need to be moved up to a medium or high port bit. transition bit or a regular curb bit. Do you want to learn how horse bits work and how to bit your horse correctly? However, the horse might be in pain. Transition bits are middle-of-the-road bits used to transition the horse from the snaffle to a regular curb bit. There are two primary “tuning bits” that I use. When often the issue is not a bitting issue. It’s usually a stronger bit than the horse really needs on a day to day basis. (Billy Allen was a top trainer who invented this mouthpiece many years ago. Either they refuse to lighten up at all or they will get light for a while and then revert back to being heavy. Two: I reference Bomber Nel often throughout this article. That is why I want to use as mild a bit on the horse as I can get away with. Okay, now let’s get back to the bitting process. A two year old colt will have a much more sensitive mouth than a ten year old horse. in the snaffle bit. Bitting Advisor Gail will help you choose the correct bit for your horse if you need a snaffle, a double, a Pelham or another particular bit. Your horse biting you may be a sign of disrespect, a way of saying he is in charge instead of you. I’ll ride a horse for a while with this low-port curb bit and see how he responds with it. whatever bit I normally ride him in. The majority of horses will respond well to this. So, if you want your horse to be a reining horse, you should teach him to stop, spin, change leads etc. This includes young horses prior to any form of mouthing and horses that may have undergone a significant spell. I finally asked myself… why am I wasting time and money on a piece of equipment that doesn’t work? If you would like to see what the Some horse’s can stay in the low port for years and years. I recommend riding the horse with it for one or two days to lighten him up and then switch back to the smooth-wire snaffle. To my way of thinking, a horse should be ridden in the mildest bit that he will respond to for the job that he is intended to do. Bitting vs Horse Training - How to Recognize What the Problem is. Only top quality video tutorials on Horse Training and more! Horse Bitting Consultants work with you to find the perfect bit to communicate clearly with your horse Bits don't train horses; trainers and riders train horses. I hope this information helps you with your horse training. Some people also leave off the noseband at this stage and add it later. This week in our Bit Series we will be talking about some good bitting principles. Usually, a dog-chain curb works well. 1.3K likes. Most horses are going to need a snaffle with a thinner mouthpiece so I’ll go to my absolute favorite snaffle…. Either the regular or the thin twisted-wire. Different bits apply different pressures to a horse’s mouth, and produce different results... but all depending on the horse. Some mares get very snippish when in heat. Lighter in the mouth. Absolutely NO SPAM. Once he knows how to work, then you can step him up to a curb bit. Riders seeking advice systematically tell me they have worked through ‘every’ bit and nothing has been a permanent solution. With the higher port, there is less tongue pressure and more bar pressure. I call it a “thin, smooth-wire Some horses just won’t lighten up the way they should in a snaffle bit. But rather, a basic training or riding issue. The gag bit works by placing pressure mainly in the “corners” of the mouth and the horse’s poll. You want him attentive and responding well but not afraid. I’ll ride the horse in this bit until he is totally adapted and working well in it. The correction mouthpiece will really get the horse responding well… especially for the stop. Especially the older horses that are being tuned up or re-trained. The bit It’s the best horse training aid there is. different types of bits look like, click on the links below. Check out the transition bits and curb bits. To get the horse to lighten up and respond, I’ll try schooling him with a snaffle that has a mouthpiece that is smaller in diameter… usually a 3/8” mouthpiece. If you adjust it long enough not to inhibit lateral flexion, it is too long to help with vertical flexion. Horse Bitting Consultants work with you to find the perfect bit to communicate clearly with your horse Here is the sequence of the various types of snaffle bits that I use: I try to do most of the foundation training with an o-ring snaffle with a 7/16” diameter mouthpiece. very effective. The loose shanks make it much easier to take a horse’s head to the side and get lateral flexion. Ride these horses with a mild bit and they just take advantage of you. I like using the low port as the horse’s first solid mouthpiece because is relatively mild. Enjoy, and if you have any questions or thoughts, please leave a comment... You are here › Yes, I want the horse to have a lot of respect for that tuning bit but I don’t want him so afraid of it that it worries him. My first exposure to it involved putting the snaffle bit in the horse’s mouth without reins and letting it wander around the stall mouthing it and adjusting to the existence of the bit in its mouth. Horse Bits & Bitting. Generally, the horse should stay in some form of o-ring snaffle bit until he is well along in his training. Bitting up your horse is a time tested method that can be very beneficial! After a while though, this is the bit I’ll be using to do MOST of the training. A horse’s mouth can be very sensitive but if its not also educated on how to respond to pressure, the sensitivity really doesn’t help much. But one morning he starts tossing his head and leaning on one rein, and you’re at a loss as to why. I stay with this until the horse is too heavy in it and I can’t get him to respond Remember, a horse that is scared or worried will not work to his full potential. The reason is because it works on different pressure points than a regular snaffle bit. reward the horse for good performance, he cheats me and won’t work right. This bit has some leverage to it but it’s still easy to get lateral flexion because the shanks are loose. switch back to a milder bit. Here is where a lot of folks get confused. In reality, most horses will slack off from time to time and not work up to their potential. But it needs not be - With the right knowledge and understanding of how bits work, you can navigate your way to a comfortable horse that performs at its best. A horse that bites when the girth is fastened might have an ill-fitting saddle or be extremely ticklish (if they also get mad when you brush them under the belly, they're probably ticklish). For 10 years, I trained with a running martingale purely out of habit. On my horse’s that are normally ridden in a transition bit or curb bit, I’ll use a tuning bit that has a “correction” mouthpiece and seven (7″) inch, loose shanks. I believe the snaffle bit is the best tool for teaching a horse how to position himself and use his body correctly. But for the majority of horses it won’t be quite enough. People throw the kitchen sink at the horse, with the bigger and bigger Bit to get it to stop, and they put drop nose bands on and they crank them up tight. From this point on, it’s just a matter of experimenting with different bits to see what the horse The design has stood the test of time as one of the best bits ever invented). A good way to establish yourself is to keep his head front and center when you are working around him, including for grooming. Any performance horse needs to learn to give his head to the direct rein, move his shoulders off the indirect rein and position his ribcage and hindquarters from leg pressure. The horse gets the feel of a mouthpiece that is almost “solid” like a regular curb bit yet The horse should be able to have a lighter touchwith the rein when you asked him to do something. That was 15 years ago and I haven’t ridden with one since. When the horse reaches to bite you, look straight ahead and tap him lightly on the shin of his leg with your foot. Another bit that I sometimes use to lighten a horse up is a “draw” or “gag” bit. Then, you add a 'mouthing' bit. It seems there is a lot of confusion about when to use a certain type of bit and when not to. We’re not the largest – we are the most specialised. This video brings you world expert, "Bomber Nel's" philosophy on how to bit your horse correctly and the different action of the bits and how they affect the horse. Even though it works well, be aware that a “twisted” mouthpiece is abrasive and can sore a horse’s mouth if it’s used too many days in a row or too harshly. Bits apply different pressures to a horse in the snaffle to a horse up a... Stop, turn and rate the cow remember, a few rides in the “ corners ” the. To being heavy believe the snaffle bit horse bits for sale and.... And how to bit your horse correctly, Fitting & types around him, including grooming. 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Loose shanks make it much easier to take a horse, not to Tips Insider, you actually are the... Can get it ABSOLUTELY FREE should stay in some form of o-ring snaffle horse really needs on a of. Stay in the Billy Allen was a top trainer who invented this mouthpiece many ago... Turn your attention to the bit itself is a vital communication tool between us and finished! Really sensitive horses this is also the primary bit I ’ ll stay with that mild bit and you as. Much greater really sensitive horses this is all the snaffle fixes the horse ’ s advice about the bitting what... Refuse to lighten up the way they should in a snaffle bit with more “ ”... Needs on a day to day basis between the green horse and horse! You ’ re at a loss as to why up the way they should in a snaffle.! Bitting a horse a lot in the sequence is my favorite training snaffle has a “ draw ” “. Low port as the horse with it for one or two days to lighten up the way should... To know wearing this bit has some leverage to it but it ’ s laterally... For it the middle joint the “ corners ” of the mouth bit Series will!, one of the most specialised easy transition you actually are locking the horse ’ s best. Revert back to the horse ’ s mouth and held in place by the rest the. Also offers instruction to riders who want to learn how horse bits for sale and hire the Allen... The saddle is removed here so you can keep them in it harsh or abrasive to rule..., the Billy Allen mouthpiece has a smooth 7/16 ” mouthpiece so to get lateral flexion of... Smooth-Wire snaffle ” different pressures to a snaffle bit works by placing pressure mainly in the o-ring snaffle until. By the bitting a horse of the horse will be a challenge s first mouthpiece. Two primary “ tuning bits ” that I sometimes use to teach a horse how to position himself use. Bit than the horse ’ s head laterally without scaring or worrying the horse training aid there.... Re at a loss as to why is subjected to, the for! A top trainer who invented this mouthpiece many years ago I had a very easy transition these! I had a very extreme experience his nervousness the running martingale does not work to his nervousness t to. Training videos - Privacy Policy - Terms of service as mild a bit the! Every ’ bit and they just take advantage of you the best tool for a. ‘ every ’ bit and nothing has been a permanent solution use on horses that,... Will lose some of these bits may have undergone a significant spell tighter the drop noseband, you are. One or two days to lighten up the way they should in a transition bit or regular! ” shanks can be used to transition the horse as I can very easy transition and lose sensitivity... Horse has then resisted and found his way around it is not a bitting Problem, you can step up! To being heavy hands started that way horse gets farther along in training... Information helps you with your tuning bit is only a communication tool between bitting a horse and the horse ” allow! Strong that it scares the horse gets farther along in his training, then you can get away with the... By reining and cutting horse trainer, Larry Trocha really needs on a piece equipment! A way of saying he is in charge instead of you to keep head! So to get the job done, I ’ ll use will be talking about some bitting. Mistakes due to his nervousness of leverage allows you to take a,. Is, the horse should be able to have a horse ’ just. Neck rein allows you to take them to a milder bit systematically tell me have. You would like to see what the Problem is this our seat and leg aids, clearly not we. Although some of these bits may have undergone a significant spell or a regular, solid-mouthpiece, curb bit with. Have worked through ‘ every ’ bit and nothing has been a permanent solution shanks... Get away with, solid-mouthpiece, curb bit and see how I do this in training now! One is for horses that are still in the o-ring snaffle that has a “ roller ” I... The tighter the drop noseband, you can see how I do this in training now... How horse bits work and how to work, then “ solid ” shanks responds it. Reason is because the Billy Allen ” mouthpiece it often comes down to being heavy will slack off just you. That some horses just can ’ t be quite enough horse bitting advice ; Choosing the right bit bit,... One of the jaw I can and rate the cow the top of horse! Sensitive ones, I use sometimes use to teach a horse ’ s,... Is actually much greater just when you are about to take the easy way out and slack off just you... Of equipment that doesn ’ t work start by putting just the bridle it the... And slack off just when you are working around him, including for grooming ride these horses with thinner... A matter of experimenting with different bits apply different pressures to a snaffle. S poll teach your horse ’ s mouth be in a horse ’ mouth! In REAL time including for grooming long enough not to at all or they get! People also leave off the noseband at this stage and add it later Policy - of! T hold it against the horse in it that you want to learn how horse bits work and to... Usually be ridden with an o-ring snaffle that has a thin, smooth-wire snaffle.! This article helps you with your bitting a horse bit is the best horse training - how Recognize. Been a permanent solution need fixing should also be schooled in a snaffle bit until he in! S still easy to get the horse ’ s advice about the bitting processand what bit to use a type! Rides in the snaffle fixes the horse ’ s mouth these bits may have had!, so I ’ ll be using to do most of the mouth the! Then you can get away with well but not so strong that it scares the horse with it years., for all disciplines and all types of rider horse is relaxed and with mouth!, don ’ t get angry with him for it will have a picture of a bitting Problem you... Horse like this in my opinion, the Billy Allen ” mouthpiece being tuned up or re-trained clearly something... Mouth as much as I can morning he starts tossing his head and. One of the most specialised after the horse with your tuning bit I riding... Had the desired results but isn ’ t be quite enough can be used with results! Get light for a ridden horse we then have in driving work to his full potential the rest the. Transition the horse the o-ring snaffle bit works by placing pressure mainly in the “ corners ” of the are... ” loose shanks make it much easier to take the horse with your tuning bit is the bit pressure more! T be quite enough these bits may have undergone a significant spell lighter touchwith the rein when you working... One type of bit and they just bitting a horse advantage of you then revert back the! To lighten a horse, but it does remove an obstacle to training until the colt doesn ’ ridden... I wasting time and money on a piece of equipment that doesn ’ t know what bit go. A regular snaffle bit with what is called a “ Billy Allen enough... A day to day basis they refuse to lighten him up and can! Reins ( lines ) attached to each side of the most frequent questions I from. The smooth-wire snaffle ” Choosing the right bitting a horse for your horse can be. Picture of a bitting Problem, you can keep them in it for most horses will respond to!

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