It is a good idea with a young, inexperienced horse to work with his mouth before introducing a bit. Play with his lips. Put your fingers into his mouth, massage his bars, rub his palate. This can be done with newborn foals during the imprinting process or on an older horse who has not had… Read More Introducing a New Bit
Tie Down Sometimes referred to as a “Standing Martingale”, but usually referred to as a Tie-Down by Western Riders, this is a single, fixed-length strap that goes from the D-ring on the cinch up between the horse’s front legs and attaches to the nose band. (The nose band is a separate piece of equipment from… Read More Types of Martingales
Generally speaking, twisted wire bits require a horse with more training and experience and a rider with a softer, more experienced touch. While fat, thick mouthpieces spread the bit pressure over a larger area, twisted wire bits concentrate pressure, making it more intense in a smaller area of the mouth. A wire snaffle is rarely… Read More Twisted Wire Bits
Introduction to Snaffle Bits The Snaffle configuration by itself is a mild bit and one of the most universally used mouthpieces. It can be thick and mild on the bars and tongue or more severe if it has a thin twisted wire mouthpiece. It can be combined with many variations such as a Copper Roller,… Read More Snaffle Bit Basics
Simple Considerations for Choosing a Horse Bit Before you choose a bit, consider 1. Your horse’s age and dentition: Most beginning trainers think that a horse works his way from a “gentle” bit to a “severe” bit as he gets older and better trained. Actually that is the opposite of what is true. A simple… Read More Choosing a Bit
Shop Horse Bits Why a Bit? Start Here Horse Bits Explained A horse’s mouth is one of the most sensitive parts of his anatomy. He can discern and manipulate his environment from his first days as an inquisitive foal, chewing on everything, practising separating grass from weed and food from dirt. Bitting a horse and… Read More Bits, Horse – Intro
Signal is defined as the time it takes between the rider picking up on the reins and the bit or shank engaging the horse’s mouth. Handling occurs after the signal: When the bit is actively engaged in the mouth. The rider below is already “handling” the horse’s face (see that the reins are tight and… Read More Training Theory: Signal