Changing bits?

Question

some people say you should change your bit often so your horse doesnt get bored/ used to the same type of action etc... but some people say never to switch because they can get confused and "if it aint broke dont fix it".. what does everyone on here think?

Answer 1

I see no point in changing a bit just for the heck of it. And putting  a different bit in your horses mouth isn't going to keep him "entertained", and if you switch to a harsher bit its just punishing him for being good(I, personally, see no logic in that.)

Answer 2

There is a lot of information out there (google "bits and bitting") that is better than what I can offer, but here's my two cents' worth anyway.

I don't think you should change bits just because the horse is "bored," but on the other hand, different bits are designed to do different things, so using the right bit for the right job -- even on the same horse -- is important.  

A snaffle with no shanks is good for bending exercises and early training.  In fact, unless you are competing in something that requires some other type of bit, there's really no reason why your horse couldn't stay in a snaffle forever.  If your horse is normally ridden in a shank bit but is not bending well (for example), it may help to go back to a snaffle for a while to work on bending exercises. If you can't get the horse to do what you want in a snaffle bit, the problem probably isn't the bit; it's probably a hole in his basic training, or something you're not communicating correctly with your hands or your seat.  If your horse won't stop or turn, going to a more severe or shanked bit is virtually always a mistake.  

A shanked bit can help with collection and can help a trained horse learn to carry itself differently.  Shanked bits should never be used for "direct reining."  For any given amount of pressure on the reins, the shanks will work as a lever and will increase the pressure the horse feels in its mouth.  This may temporarily give the false impression that a horse is stopping better (for example), because the horse feels a lot more pressure even though the rider isn't pulling on the reins any harder.  But a horse that will "run through" a snaffle bit will soon learn to "run through" a shank bit as well.  A more severe bit is no substitute for training.  A good rider will use the seat and legs to communicate with the horse before using the reins.

The mouthpiece is very important because it will determine how much pressure the bit will put on the tongue and the bars of the horse's mouth and how much lateral "wiggle" the bit will allow.  A high port in a curb bit will put less pressure on the tongue and more on the bars; conversely, a straight bar bit will pure more pressure on the tongue and less on the bars.  A loose-cheek, shank bit will allow a little more sideways action than a solid-cheeked shank bit.

Answer 3

i have about... 6  different bits for my mare.. getting a bitless bridle now.. so that sort of counts as 7. i ride in a tom thumb snaffle, combination bit, or on occasion an o-ring snaffle most of the time, the rest i loan out. because she is used to all of the bits, i can ride her in any of them depending on how she is acting one day  but i  really like just sticking with those 3 and the new one im getting.. because they work, just for different things. i barrel race for the most part.. and she knows how to set into her tom thumb.. so i dont typically use it if she is being hyper that day. then i use my o-ring if im just leasurely trail riding and she doesnt need to be in something special..  its sort of one of those things where its good to have a couple more in case you need it for something else, but for the most part 3 or 4 different bits that he works nicely fo him is best in my opinion.. they can come in handy.. and you never know, you could find some you both like alot more. i would suggest borrowing some.. if he is used to all of the bits you get then it wont confuse him.. but sometimes you need to stick a new bit in their mouths if they arent behaving.. switch it up so they have to stay on there toes [this is find if they know the bits though..] i went to a show where i started in my combination bit switched to the tom thumb then back to the combination bit.. it all depends on how they are acting and what they want to listen to.

Answer 4

dont do it if u dont have to

Answer 5

Argh, I know exactly what you mean as I have had it said to me a few times. In my opinion it's a case of "if it ain't broke..."

I do use 2 different bits for one of mine but that's more a case of needing better brakes at some times than others.

I have plenty of spare bits but really don't see the point in confusing the issue.

If your horse is one of the clever ones who will work out an evasion for whatever bit you use what's the point in keep changing them anyway - all you will be doing is allowing him more opportunity to exercise his skill. If you find a bit that suits then stick to it.

Answer 6

Don't change too often. If you find one that they go well in then keep it. They don't get bored, they like what they like and they don't what they don't. Find one that works and stick with it.

Answer 7

If they work well, why change? You can try a new bit to see if they work better and if they don't ,go back to what works. Most of mine will work in two different bits, but the type is similar, (if they work in a curb , they work in a pelham or kimberwick; if they work in a snaffle they can also work in a french link style kimberwick )

Answer 8

If you feel you need to, for example, you struggle to stop your horse and need more control you might look into getting a stronger bit and vice versa, really its your choice.

If you feel like your horse may work better in a different bit then try lending one off someone(wash it thoroughly first!) and see how the horse goes before you buy one.

Its just down to your judgment, you know your horse best! :)

xx

Answer 9

if you are using a specific bit and it works there is no reason to change your bit.the only time you would change the bit is if you cant control your horse or arent getting the results you want

Answer 10

If it ain't broke don't fix it....if the horse is bored, the bit is not the solution.  It's always easier to blame something like the bit for one's own lack of horsemanship.

Answer 11

You never change bits for no reason.  Getting bored is not a reason.  You may change for training reason when a horse is ready for a different bit, or needs some correction in some area.  But you do not trade just because a bit might eventually bore a horse.

Answer 12

I think if your horse is going nicely, changing the bit is asking for trouble!  If something's not quite right then I'd try a different bit - but I don't believe in changing for the sake of change.  Sounds daft to me.

Answer 13

I think it depends on what you are doing with your horse and what you expect. If your present bit works for what you do with your horse, then I wouldn't change it. I only use snaffle bits on my horses. There is no reason to change just for the sake of changing.