What is the best bit to use for my thoroughbred ex race horse/hunter jumper. I want to trail ride her western.

Question

I bought her at a horse sale about a month ago. I have been out of the horse scene for a few years now so I'm a little on the rusty side. I rode her at the auction to make sure she was sound but I haven't ridden her since. She is the typical thoroughbred who is just a tad bit on the fiesty side. I want to know what Sort of bit I should use. Most of the people I ride with all use a tom thumb bit, but I've heard such horrible things about them I just don't know. I was thinking about using a kimberwicke bit. I thought that would still provide with me a little leverage not nearly as harsh as a tom thumb.

Answer 1

Honestly I'd start her off in a snaffle bit and probably in a fenced area until I know her better.   If you have to have a Western style bit, look for a smaller curb with short shanks.  

Alot also depends on the shape of her mouth, how well she listens (will she bolt?), how quiet your hands are, and how she is responding to different kinds of bits.

I personally don't believe in "fixing" a less trained horse with a harsher bit.   The bit is just a communication tool.  If the training isn't there, using a 'louder' communication tool won't make the horse understand better.

Answer 2

i'd start her in a snaffle and try to figure her out. if she doesn't neck rein (which i really doubt she does), don't go to a western bit. keep it with one that you can pull out to the sides like a kimberwicke, pelham, snaffle with a twist. stuff like that. on all of my OTTBs i try to get them quiet enough to take them up the neighboring mountain by themselves in a french link eggbutt snaffle. soooooooo yeah...

Answer 3

I'd go with a snaffle bit until you know what sort of guidance and bit tension you need with her. A kimberwicke is goof for medium tension, I wouldn't use a Tom Thumb bit unless you absolutely have to AND you have a lot of experience with different bits and you keep your hands very light.

Answer 4

Yeah the kimberwicke is a good idea. It is stronger than a snaffle yet isnt too strong. I used to use it with my horse and she is a thoroughbred x and i thought it was really good. It does put pressure on the poll though and this can cause some horses to put their heads up in the air. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I would definately agree about the tom thumb. A kimberwick would most likely give you the control you want. What bit did they use on her at the sale?

I would also suggest trying a hackamore of sorts. I, personally, like a basic long shank hackamore. They give your horse different signals via face instead of by mouth. It worked well on my barrel horse, so it does give control. But she may not like the feel.

http://www.rods.com/eccStoreImages/produ...

^ Jointed Kimberwick

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

^ The exact hackamore I used.

Answer 6

Good choice...it gives you options and you spend less by investing in one bit to experiment with what works.

Answer 7

A tom thumb is fine if you have light hands, on a calm horse. But on a fiesty horse you might have to use the reins more, typically direct reining and that is NOT a good thing to do with a tom thumb.

You could try some kind of snaffle, there are many different kinds that could work for you.

A kimberwick could work too.

You should look into Myler bits.

http://toklat.com/dyn_prodlist.php?n=7&k...

Snaffles start on page 7 or 8.

Answer 8

Well, I used a Pelham on my thoroughbred when I evented and a Twisted Full-Cheek Snaffle when we went on the trails (thats another English bit)

If your horse is well trained, use a softer bit

If your horse is naughty, use a tom thumb

In the middle? use a kimberwicke

Answer 9

I vote for the a snaffle of some type, as others have suggested.  Preferably one that is not too thick, and a full cheek will be best if you need to pull her around to stop a bolt.  Once she's schooling well in an arena or fenced paddock, and thinking  you're ready to take her out on a trail or down the road,  you might try her in a kimberwick if you really feel like she may not listen to you in a snaffle, but start out in the arena with the new bit.  Remember that with a kimberwick you'll have the option of two sets of reins, so you can ride off the snaffle.  

General rule is start with the mildest bit, and use good training principles, don't be in a big hurry, and give her the chance to become a soft and responsive horse.