What bit should I try next...?

Question

I have a 4 year old Appy that just came home from the trainers a month ago. The trainer was riding her in a snaffle and was working on changing her to a Tom Thumb Port Bit. My trainer told me to ocntinue her in the Snaffle. So I have been working her in the snaffle. Well the last couple of times that I have been riding she has tried rearing on me and is just fighting the bit. I think it is time for a different bit. Dose anyone have any ideas of what I should try next...

Answer 1

Make sure she does not have her tongue over the bit and check to make sure the bit is wide enough.  You could also make sure she isn't growing "wolf teeth" on the bars of her mouth.  These teeth can hit the bit and really annoy the horse. Make sure the nose band fits properly and is well up from the bit.  A good eggbutt snaffle will not pinch the corners of her mouth but a loose ring snaffle can really pinch at the corners of her mouth.  Ride her on a looser rein and she won't have anything to fight.  What ever you do, don't switch to a more severe bit.  You could even try a milder straight bit or a rubber bit until she settles down.

Answer 2

If you have to keep changing bits then obviously can't control your horse, it is not unusual for a four yr old to behave that way, she may need her teeth checked that or she is just acting up and needs discipline, listen to your trainer.

Answer 3

well a snaffle bit is fairly mild and so it would not cause her pain if it is fitted correctly and you are not hanging on the reins...horses rear because they are being pushed too far past their comfort limit in training and/or they are in pain and/or you have a restricting rein contact...you must figure out which one of the things i listed is the problem and fix it so the rearing stops...getting a stronger bit to fight strength with strenght per say will get you no where because the horse always wins so there is no need for a new bit.

Answer 4

i dont think it is the bit, it may be you.

Answer 5

try the orginal wonder bit. its amazng.

Answer 6

I agree with Katie...I would add that it may be an issue of heavy hands on your part.

Answer 7

Have you tried a sweet iron bit? They are made to help the horse accept the bit as the bit is made to rust slightly and this makes the horse salivate and in turn the horse accepts the bit easier. You can get these in a snaffle so you don't need to change you type of bit at all.

I personally would try this before trying a harsher bit.

You can also get apple flavoured bits LOL!

Answer 8

The bit is rarely, if ever the issue with a horse. The need to basically gag and cause all sorts of nerve damage to a horse cannot be necessary in my opinion. Horses react negatively to things that make them uncomfortable, poorly fitting tack, a horrible experience with a harsh bit happy trainer, a rider misunderstanding pain and fear for just general bad behavior. All this can be fixed by examining each part of the tack. Try riding bareback with the snaffle.. any difference? Try riding in a rope or regular halter and using voice commands. Can't use voice commands? Try groundwork to build up a trust with your horse so she can lean that not everyone on her back is trying to cause her extreme pain and discomfort. Here is an interesting excerpt I found awhile ago about Tom Thumb bits, "Transition Bit

The Tom Thumb snaffle was originally designed as a transition bit that was to be used in Western training. When a green horse was far enough along that perhaps a training snaffle was no longer necessary, but not far enough along to be moved into a curb bit, the Tom Thumb would be used. This would be great, if in fact, it made the transition simple and easy. Unfortunately, it doesn't. The truth of the matter is that, due to its design, it could possibly be considered one of the worst bits that somebody could use at a highly critical time in a young horse's training."

The problem with your horse is not with the bit at all. It is a communication error and it is up to you as the rider to figure it out before you ruin a perfectly good horse.

Answer 9

Before you go and start changing bits, I would call the trainer and perhaps have her come out and watch you ride the horse.  Since she left the trainers, have you been working her alone?

What does she do?  Does she go too fast where you feel you have to be heavy handed with the snaffle?  Usually rearing can be caused by too much pressure on the reins causing the horse to back and eventually rear.  That is a way for your horse to get away from whatever is bothering her.

I would really consider calling and talking to the trainer as I'm sure you don't want to go backwards with the training that has been put into your horse.  If you were happy with the results when you first got her back you might need to have some lessons with the trainer training the two of you together to get things back in order.  There must be some reason why the trainer told you to continue using the snaffle.

That is my thought on the issue.  Best of luck to you!!

****EDIT****

If the trainer worked in the same bit and had no problem..then it seems that it might have something to do with you....too loose a rein..perhaps the horse knows she can get away with being ornery because you don't have direct contact with her mouth and this is her way of avoiding work...you know, trying to get the upper hand.  There can be extremes of either too heavy or too light and no control.  If you do decide to try a different bit, maybe a Dr. Bristol which has a flat piece which doesn't give the nutcracker effect of a typical jointed snaffle.  There is some truth to the fact that a jointed snaffle does hit the roof of the mouth which can cause discomfort.  But going to a ported curb with a curb chain or strap,  if something other than you..will really cause her to rear from the pressure.  Try a bit guard if pinching is a possibility.  Do you ride english or western..just thinking from a bit perspective/style. Maybe a straight or mullen mouth..or a "D" ring or a kimberwicke.  I would still contact the trainer to discuss especially if you were satisfied with what she accomplished.  Two heads are better than one especially when one person can observe.  As much as we all want to help and guide, we are not there to see or investigate the situation first hand.

Answer 10

Call up your trainer and have her watch a training session. Or perhaps have the trainer ride him. Are you heavy in your hands? Remember that Appys can be high strung especially a 4 year old. Don't assume it is your bit.

Answer 11

Does she still have her wolf teeth? The bit could be irritating them, so I'd ask the vet. It's causing some kind of irritation whether it's the mouth, bit, or your hands.

Answer 12

This is a training issue. Not a bit issue. The chances of a bit improving her are slim.

EDIT: galloppal is very correct about hard hands. Unforgiving hands are virtually telling a horse to rear. The problem could also lie in conflicting aids or pain from tack which I forgot to mention.

Answer 13

This is one of the reasons I hate snaffles and will not use them.  Many horses simply do not respect them and then fight them instead.

That said make sure your hands are soft.  No jerking or hard pulls.  Then step up to a curb bit.

One thing I have noticed is that people who ride with snaffle bits tend to be heavy handed. I just got back from a 12 to 14 mile ride were I allowed a "professional" rider (claims to have been good enough to jump 6 feet in hunter jumper classes) ride a greenish horse of mine.  I had to correct her bit pressure and my wife did as well.  She simply did not realize the pressure she was applying to the horse's mouth.

So once again, I say get a good curb bit and learn how to use it.