Horse Question!!!!?

Question

so i sont really know about bits much! i have a BIG thoroughbred horse and his bit right now isnt strong enough for him. When i am Loping and i try to stop i have to pull so hard that it hurts my hands really bad. so its way TOO hard to stop him. What kind of bit do you think would work. i ride him western

Answer 1

You should get a trainer.

Resorting to a bigger bit only escalades the problem, and you will have to keep getting a stronger one until you can no longer control your horse.

Stop cantering and go back to the basics. Get your horse to listen to you then go back to cantering.

When trying to stop, you don't just pull on the reins. This hurts the horses mouths, and won't stop them. You need to teach him seat signals also.

Many horses won't stop when you pull on them. They usually just pull right back and keep going.

You should never have to pull that hard, ever. It can injure your horses mouth.

Edit: You shouldn't see saw on their mouth either like another user said. Its when you pull one hand forward and one hand back, and you keep doing it. It can rub the horses gums and tongue, and this can also hurt their mouth, and make them bite onto the bit and stop listening to you completely.

Answer 2

big horses= big bits also the bit might be a little bit uncomfortable you can't really tell what type of bit it needed for a individual horse because ever horse is different. Try asking your vet or farrier about it they might have more incite on it.  You also might want to look into getting a bit book or going to a store with bits and ask one of there employees they might have some light to shed on the subject.

Best of luck to you!!:)

Answer 3

A horse shouldn't need a "strong" bit in order to stop if your horse is not stopping there could be a few reasons why , I would start with a little more ground work, and maybe lunge him before riding and get some of his "pent:" up energy out of him, is he ridden everyday or just once in awhile, is he a new horse to you sometimes a horse lacks respect for new people, and sometimes a horse will just see how much they can get away with.. try a few differnt things but please don't put a ""strong" bit in his mouth.

Answer 4

You don't need a trainder for this. My horse is a butt when it comes to listening too. I use a snaffle bit (it's two pieces linked together in the middle). It gets them to respond better. Plus, don't just pull on his mouth.. try bumping him to get him to slow down and stop. My horse hates it when people just yank on his mouth to stop him, and it can sometime cause worse behavior. By pulling your hands back and forth, applying pressure and releasing, it will get the horse to stop better. Makes it easier on their mouths and easier on your hands. good luck

Answer 5

snaffle bit thats used for the horses that need a little more reinforcement

Answer 6

trust me, if hes not stopping in whatever bit your using he is NOT going to stop in a snaffle. that has no stop whatsoever. unless your horse is broke to how you sit - like my duke and skip you sit they stop.

what bit are you riding in currently, I'd try a mechanical hack, or a bicycle hackamore.

that was to answer your question, to be honest you should not be pulling that hard on his mouth, you need to work more with other things because pretty soon hes just gunna say "i dont care what bit you use, im ignoring it"

Answer 7

same with my horse. but she is still little and wont stop ATALL.

my martin gale acually helps her stopping and turning.

i ride western too=]

but if i were you i would go to a tack shop or a trainer.

and do some ground work on him with the new bit before riding him again=]

i learned that the hard way.

Answer 8

Erm. I'd do some ground work with him first and work on him backing up. Than i'd go to a local tack shop and ask this question.

Answer 9

u should probably get a professionals opinon (like a trainer)

a curb bit is really strong so be careful

Answer 10

Having no idea what bit he's in now, its hard to say what might be more effective, sorry.

What is up with people thinking that "snaffle" is a very specific bit? There must be hundreds of different types of snaffles ranging from the very mild - rubber dee or french link-  to the very severe -  double twisted wire, segunda, waterford, knife edge....  just because its called a snaffle does not make it a nice bit!

Answer 11

do you have a trainer that you're working with?  if not, you really should look into finding a trainer to work with.

if you're a "do it yourself-er", then i would suggest restarting your horse, completely.  ground up.  lunge, ground drive, leading exercises, etc.  progress only when you have complete compliance with your horse.  that means your horse understands and is willing to do what you ask.  

when you restart undersaddle, walk first.  be sure to have 100% williness and compliance from your horse.  work on schooling figures, bending and giving to the bit, backing up, stopping, standing.  slowly introduce trotting.  start with 5 minute trots here and there.  slowly very very slowly, work up to the cantering.

to be honest, i would stretch the saddle work out over a month...at least.  work your horse 4 days on, 2 days off, and vary the time between 15 minutes to whatever time...without tiring your horse.  always end on a good note.  always praise your horse when all is finished...and always make it worth while...hand grazing followed by a good grooming.

that all said...i still suggest you look up a trainer.

and to answer your question...a properly trained horse will go nicely with in a snaffle.  i like using a full cheek snaffle with the cooper mouth...the copper mouth helps the horse to salivate..causing a soft, responsive mouth.  

best of luck.

Answer 12

1. Stop riding with your hands and ride with your seat. You should be sitting back to push him into your hands to slow him down. He's obviously not on your aids!

2. When you pull back on both reins you are giving him something to lean on and hold himself up. Next time he does that take one rein and pull it around to your hip. He will be forced to turn his head and he WILL slow down. He will NOT fall.

Try also working in small circles (10 meter), and using the wall/fence as a brake. If he starts going too fast use your outside leg to push his hind end and turn him into the wall. He can't go through it so he will stop.

Also make sure you're setting him up for the lope.

Answer 13

I'd definitely go with galloping greys' answer. :)