What is the mildest bit to use for my new horse?

Question

I am getting a unbroke(shes not saddle broke but can be ridden bareback halter and lead) tb mare and i am going to be doing barrels with her. I am used to doing the hunter/jumpers so i am unfamilular with the western barrel bits. What kind of bit should i buy for her. I want to keep her mouth soft Any ideas?

Answer 1

I have a really light barrel horse and I use a tom thumb snaffle.  It seems to work well for both of us.  This is also a good training bit.  Good luck

Added:

My barrel horse came with this bit and is well trained.  It works well for her.  I have never had to train an unbroke horse I was just going by word of mouth.  I am glad to learn otherwise.

Answer 2

Have you considered using a rubber bit.

And I see lots of snaffle suggestions, these bits are more for a trained horse. A half moon bit would be a good second bit following on from the rubber bit.

Answer 3

I start beginner horses in a Bosal and eased them into a bit.  

Have a professional help you through the steps.  The Right Bit and Placement of the bit can make a world of difference in your horses performance.

If you are wanting to use a bit  --Don't rush your horse into it.  We often allowed the young horses to just wear it while we walked or lounged them to get them use to it. (the lead is on the halter)

The professional can also help you know how to adjust the bridle so that the bit fall in the correct space in the mouth --  as well to check the teeth to make sure they are not in conflict with the bit.  Sometimes this happens.  

The professional can also teach you Good Ground Work -- so when you do get into the saddle the horse already understands -- commands, how to handle the bit and the saddle.

Thick snaffle bits used with a cavesson tend to work nicely.  For the young horse we used a rubber coated snaffle.  You can start with the most mild and move up from there.

A piece of equipment you should consider are splint boots. to protect your horses legs.  Some horses need bell boots on the front feet as well  -- it just depends on the horse's gate and reach.  Most barrel riders use some kind of tide down (similar to a standing martingale), so the horse can not lift his head up too high while going around the barrel, it is not a requirement.  

DO NOT let people convince you to use a curb bit if your horse does not require it.

Because you haven't done barrels before I would go to some rodeos and watch how the top horses go in and come out of each barrel.  That is the key to winning.  Most horses have speed on the straight away.  You can waste a lot of time going around the barrels.  Every horse has it's pocket that works best for them.  

Be patient and discover it together and you will do well. Push and he may reject the barrels and never do well.  

It is to be fun for both the rider and the horse!!  When it is working -- it is an awesome feeling!!!!

Most gaming classes don't require you to wear a bit.  When I did barrels -- My horse loved his hackamore.  My horse knew when I got the hackamore out at the show -- what that meant -- gaming classes.  He loved it!  Remember every horse is different.  Find something to tell your horse it is time, a certain saddle, bridle, hat you where.  It helps ready them for the event and also bring back the muscle memory of good practice.  It may sound silly to some, but I train horses that cross over and perform in multiple disciplines (English, Western, Gaming, Trail and Halter horses).  Your horse and you need to get into the mind set before the performance begins.  Especially when speed and accuracy is required.

Good LUCK and have FUN!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Snaffle bit. That is the bit to start training in.

****edit*****

I agree with Bobbi 100%!! A Tom Thumb is NOT for training!!!!!  It is for a well trained horse!

Answer 5

if she isn't used to a bridle, your probably best with a D ring or loose ring french link snaffle.

it'll get her used to bits, and get her started turning and whatnot and then you can move into "true" barrel/Western bits.

EDIT: apparently me and Bobbi were thinking the same thing!

EDIT: you can't start a horse in a tom thumb! that's like asking a kid learning to walk to put on roller blades.   the kid will get hurt, and the horse will have a mouth like stone.

Answer 6

You could use a rubber bar colt bit to get her used to the feel of it in her mouth.  She should be trained using a bosal before introducing her to bits, though.  The colt bit can then be introduced in combination with the bosal.  You'll need to access an experienced trainer to help you with this. She can be later transitioned to a snaffle bit, but she will do best if you don't start her right out in one.

Answer 7

This is what worked for me..It may or may not work for you...

(My Own Disclaimer)

When I bought my OTTB mare she had only had a racing snaffle in her mouth. My trainer had me use a WonderGag on her, no we do not do barrels but however you wont be doing barrels right away either. The WonderGag is nice because it gives you good control and is pretty easy on the mouth. After establishing basics (walking trotting cantering, figure 8's, different patterns etc) we then moved on to an Arginetine(sorry spelling).

I have a question though if you horse or future horse is unbroke..how can you ride bareback and with halter and lead? I don't even do that with my trained horses.

Answer 8

Try a flexi bit or pee-wee bit

pee-wee

http://www.shop4bits.com/item--The-Pee-W...

Mullen Mouth Flex Rubber Snaffle Bit

One of the kindest bits available. Made from rubber over a wire cable core with Stainless Steel rings.

http://www.okcorral.co.nz/bits.htm

DONT USE A TOMB THUMB that'll make her mouth really hard

Answer 9

just a basic snaffle is fine, just make sure you put it on right and you shouldn't have any problems.  also i would advise getting her really used to the halter first.

Answer 10

A D ring or O ring snaffle would be a good bit to start her off with, and then, if  you need more leverage, you could go from there.  I would definitely not put a Tom Thumb on a horse that you are just starting.

Answer 11

i have two barrel horses and another 8 year old that i am just starting to train. i would get a saddle on your horse and if he lissens good with a halter, why put him in a bit?  i would use a halter on him and teach him voice commands like whoa, walk, trot, and canter or lope. i have ran my mare on barrels in just a halter. she is extremely alleyway sour, but she listens better in a halter than a bit. P.S.   IF YOUR HORSE EVER GETS ALLEYWAY SOUR, IT IS NOT BECAUSE IT IS TIRED OF RUNNING, IT IS BECAUSE HE IS HURT!!! IF HE STARTS NOT WANTING TO GO DOWN THE ALLEY, TAKE HIM TO THE VET!!!!!!!!

Answer 12

Dr Cook bitless bridle. Control, painless and no bit required. A great way to start horses, training and for riding experienced horses too.

www.bitlessbridle.com/

Answer 13

A snaffle bit is the easiest on a horses mouth and what all horses should be broke with.

Answer 14

you could use a basic snaffle- that's pretty light