What bits do you use or recommend for barrel racing? Why?
What bits don’t you like?
Also, what do you think of this bit:
Reinsman Gentle Guide Snaffle
I recommend the bit that works. 
In all seriousness, you are going to get 50 different answers for this question. Every horse is different and every horse is going to work the best in something different. Sure, I could go barrel race my horse in a snaffle, if I wanted to. But it’s not the bit that best helps him make his run.
Probably one of my “go to” bits is a Jr. Cowhorse with a dogbone center.
http://www.tacktraders.com/images/products/detail/17204.jpg
It gives me a little more stop just in case I need it (with the leverage) but it also lets me independently pick up on either rein without affecting the opposite side. The little bit of gag lets me give my horse a “warning” before the bit actually engages, and I’m personally a fan of double-jointed mouthpieces.
So far, all the horses I’ve had have been push-style horses, so I’ve found this bit to work nicely. If you’ve got a free runner, you may need something stronger for the heat-of-the-moments that can happen.
As far as the bit you’ve posted, I’ve never used one like that so I can’t speak for it. The only thing I wouldn’t like about it is the single joint in the mouthpiece, becaues again, I personally like double-joints.
I’d say whatever fits your horse and the rider best! It would depend on how well your horse needs guidance on turns,stopping, etc. and how the rider handles the bit too.
Every horse is so individual there’s no definite answer! In my younger horses that haven’t been run by anyone else, I’m perfectly happy with my snaffles/very mild bits. Lately, I’ve been using this one. I find though that on the older horses, it’s not so easy to transition them back down from stronger bits once they’ve gotten used to them, so I usually start with what the previous owner has been using and go from there.
I use a Martha Josey ‘million dollar’ bit. Its a combination short shank twisted snaffle with a dog bone. I like the hack combo, gets his nose down while the dog bone lets me get one sided leverage when I need it. Then again I use it on the trails and such as well. Every horse is different!
Definitely depends on the horse and your hands. I run my horses in Jr Cow Horse, each with different mouthpieces (mostly 3 piece).
