English Bits??

Question

What are the least harshes bit for an older horse?

Answer 1

A Snaffle or Eggbutt.

Snaffle: http://www.horsetackinternational.com/im...

Eggbutt: http://www.horsetackinternational.com/im...

Answer 2

A snaffle bit is really nice for the older horse but also eggbut can do the job. But don't use a flasher (the piece that attaches to nose band) bcs it hurts the older horse's sensetive gums

Answer 3

There are multiple different types of snaffle style bits available depending on what you are looking for.   Have you thought of a hackamore (bitless type of bridle)?    

If not remember the thicker the snaffle the gentler it is.   They do also make rubber coated or rubber snaffles.    A egg butt snaffle is good bet or a loose ring snaffle.

Answer 4

Try an oval mouth loose ring or oval mouth eggbutt.  This is a snaffle bit with two joints so there is less chance of harshness.  JP bits by Korsteel makes a good model of these bits, very inexpensive, but nice bits in that the bits have a curved shape that prevents the interference that can occur with conventional snaffles.  With regular snaffles, the joint can be sharply pushed into the horse's upper palate  and the sides crush down on the bars causing a lot of pain.  With the two joints of the oval mouth, this can't happen.  It's a nice gentle snaffle and the loose ring is made of  copper.

Answer 5

Those that have answered all mention a snaffle bit, they fail to mention there are many different types of snaffles. The eggbutt, loose ring, or D-ring all have to do the with cheekpiece and not the actual bit.  In the links that the first poster put up, what they are calling an "eggbutt" is really an eggbutt french link snaffle.  eggbutt being the type of cheekpiece, french link being the double jointed bit.  You can get a french link bit in fullcheek, loose ring, eggbutt, D-ring, any type of cheek piece you prefer.

Someone mentioned a rubber snaffle, which is a very mild bit and one often used to start horses in.  And they are correct in stating that the thicker the snaffle, the gentler it is.  You may also want to look at a french link snaffle.  It is a double jointed snaffle and one of the mildest bits available.  But be careful not to confuse it with a Dr. Bristol snaffle, which looks similar but the Dr Bristol can be a very harsh snaffle.

Most of my horse go very well in a french link.  Age really doesn't have anything to do with what type of bit to use.  You choose a bit depending on how responsive the horse is.  And always use the mildest one possible.

Good luck!

Answer 6

I would suggest a Snaffle or an eggbit.

Answer 7

You can get rubber covered snaffle bits which are about the least harsh.

Answer 8

Everyone here has mentioned some deviation of snaffle bits, which are all direct rein bits. Your horse may respond better to a curb type - leverage bit - they can actually, if used properly, get a quicker response with less pressure.  These are the kimberwicke type or pelham.  you can use a rein connector if you are not showing and want to use a single rein in the pelham. Again the mouthpiece can be whatever you want, either one of these bits come jointed, solid, wide etc. You can also find variations in the Myler brand of bits, they tend to be very soft on horse's mouths, but give a lot of "feel" for you.  Snaffles "tend" to be "baby" bits, so surely your older horse has been trained in a leverage bit at some point in his/her life. but test any new bit from the ground first (use a bitting rig or tie the reins to the saddle in the position you would ride in for instance) and lunge to see your horse's response.  

good luck

Answer 9

A French link is a nice soft bit and you can get that with loose rings too also you can get "happy mouth" bits where the metal is covered with plastic.  Rubber coated bits are also quite gentle.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/category.as...