Bit for my horse?

Question

how do you know what kind of bit to get for your horse?

i have the ex police horse that im gonna try the one stop rein thing on but if that doesnt work then how do i know which bit to get or try??

Answer 1

You can't go wrong by putting him into a full cheek snaffle...it will allow you to do whatever training you need to without hurting him.  Even better, buy a Dr. Cook bitless bridle and forget about bits.  If you don't intend to show him, the bitless bridle will be a great choice.  It would be a good choice for showing too, but is not allowed in most arenas.

ADD...The Dr. Cook bitless bridle is not the same as a hackemore...it is painless and very effective.  I use one and both of my horses (formerly bitted) can do just about anything short of grand prix dressage in it....and maybe that too if we were trying!  Google it and see what you think.

Answer 2

I would start him in a loose ring, french link or regular snaffle. I've seen the mounted police ride and it isn't pretty or correct (at least the ones where I'm from can't ride worth a darn). A lot of them ruin their horse's sensitivity because they are too rough with their hands. Do you know how you use your seat and weight aids? A stop really comes from your seat, not your hands. If you are asking correctly for any movement, you don't need your hands at all. Going to a more severe bit or hackmore is not going to solve your problem- it will only cause the horse to build up a resitance to the harsher material. In my experience, police horses tend to be a bit "brain dead", in that they shut everything around them out, because they have to. They can't get upset about stuff, because if they do, they could get themselves killed or seriously hurt, so trying to muscle him into doing what you want, isn't going to work. Start with a soft mild bit, and use the gentlest pressure you possibly can. If he doesn't respond, use more pressure, and if he still doesn't respond, really, really mean it the third time, and then go back to being soft and quiet- "Ask, tell, command". You will have to help him redevelop sensitivity to the rider. If his stop button doesn't work, some ground work can help with this. When you have a horse with a "make me" kind of an attitude, you're going to have to be 10 times as stubborn as him to get a positive end result- note stubborn does not mean rough. If you are lunging him and he's runing around like an idiot not working from behind, give one good snap on the lunge line and tell him "woah". Keep doing it, harder, until he quits. As soon as he stops, that's when he get's praise and the immediate release of pressure. If he starts right back up again, do the same thing, over, and over, and over, and over again until he gets it into his head. There is no need to kill yourself when you are riding him. He should be light and responsive all the time, which, with the "brain dead" ones, is a constant up hill battle.

Answer 3

Usually horses go well in a plain loose-ring, D-ring, eggbutt, or full cheek snaffle. Try to get something that's sweet iron, because over time it gets sweeter for the horse and they like the taste better than plain stainless steel. :) Do not get anything twisted, since that's just plain painful for the horse.

Answer 4

for pleasure riding i use a twisted snaffle D ring, its much comfortable for the horse. but for shows i'll use a full cheek bone or such.

hope this helps

Answer 5

Try snaffle bit first, then a kimblewicke if snaffle doesn't work for you.

Answer 6

try a regular eggbutt snaffle.

its the most common gentle one.

if he doesnt respond to that you can try something new but that should do it.

GOODLUCK

Answer 7

if he is hard to stop u will want to go with a longer shank...but a a Tom Thumb, D, O ring work well...

Answer 8

Is there any way you can find out what he's used to ?

There are so many bits available it can be really confusing.

Answer 9

Since he's in a hackamore, a plain snaffle might work fine. He might just need something in his mouth - start out with a snaffle and work up if you have to.

I would reccomend a full cheek snaffle - then maybe move up to a slow twist if you have to, or something with more of a shank. If a snaffle doesn't work talk to a trainer or his previous owner.

Answer 10

Kimberwicke.

Just don't rip on his face and you're fine. A bit can be dangerous in the wrong hands, so be careful not to harm his mouth. Most police horses go in a double bridle. Don't try any of that if you don't know lots about hand/seat/leg. Stick with a simple bit and a curb chain if you don't want to wreck him.

Answer 11

police horses usually use the Pelham or french link snaffle

Answer 12

simple...ALL bits are off limits and can and will ruin your horse, here are the only acceptable ones...full cheek, D- ring, loose ring(with bit guards) eggbutt bits all which MUST be french linked for horse cmfort and safety. I also prefer HappyMouth bits so you dont have to warm them in the winter