Diary of the "Perfect" Bit Search

[Tin]

Thought I’d share my “findings” just incase someone is interested

My horse is 9 years old and I trained him nunter. When he first came to use my coach put him in a loose ring snaffle (she started all her horses in one) and I’ve continued with a loose ring following the saying “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Lately I’ve been noticing some issues we’ve been having and I’ve been wanting more out of my bit and my horse, hard to explain but to narrow it down, I just wasn’t 100% happy with a loose ring anymore. I wanted something a little more “stable” and a little more controling. So the search was on.

The bit I was using was a solid plain loose ring snaffle medium width.
Good points: he framed well and easily, responded well when on the bit, didn’t restrict his bending
Bad points: it was easy to loose him off the bit, he could easliy ignore it and he would over bend at certain times

I then tried a rubber pelham (suugested by my coach) with a snaffle mouth and a medium shank.
Good points: easy to get him on his hind end, kept the frame constantly, responsive downward transitions
Bad points: felt it was too much bit, he tried to fight it constantly, over framed and very stiff in the bends

Next was an eggbutt snaffle, medium thickness and hollow
Good points: was soft and flexible
Bad points: didn’t respond to soft aids, didn’t want to hold the frame, ignored it easily, lacked direction, lacked responsiveness, mouthed it constantly

Then was a mullen mouth loose ring snaffle
Good points: he took it well
Bad points : where to start? mouthed it constantly, didn’t respond at all to this bit

Lastly I picked up a solid medium thickness full cheek snaffle. This bit I have only riden in twice but with the keepers I do believe it’s the winner!
Good points: framed well, responded well, bent well without over bending, concentrated on his whole body, didn’t mouth it at all, downward transistion were great, upwards were even better without fighting our right lead, very balanced when jumping and didn’t “swap” his leads right before the jumps
Bad points: see “I traumitized my horse” thread in Off Course board other than that not to be found yet.

~Did you know that Coca-Cola was originally green?~

[Merry]

Great minds think alike! This is why I have my very own “Bit Museum” in my tackroom. With my 4yr. old, I’ve gone on the Quest for the Perfect Bit myself. And his favorite bit for schooling at home is indeed a loose ring smooth snaffle. But showing in it? Ha!

When I show him, I tote around a bridle bag of assorted eggbutts, slow twists and dee rings. He’s still kind of inconsistent in his mood, so I can’t just rely on, “Oh, it’s a hack class. For that I need my smooth dee ring.” So, don’t feel bad or odd. I’m still trying to figure out what Hammie wants so I can give it to him and he’ll be happy!

“Charter Member of the Baby Greenie Support Group of North America”

[Beezer]

AAJumper said:

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>She who dies with the most bits wins…
Beezer, maybe you could get Merry a license plate frame that says that!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That is, my brilliant cyber-friend, one of the BEST ideas I have heard in a very, very long time! And Bertie, I will have to find someone who can emblazon YOUR saying on a T-shirt or sweatshirt for her.

I know what Merry’s getting for Christmas! I know what Merry’s getting for Christmas!

Bulletin Board Goddess

[Niaouli]

If the full cheek doesn’t work, try a German silver loose ring with that cool little KK piece in the middle. I had one, but it grew legs and decided to walk out of my tack box.

(I’m training the really expensive bits to walk)

I’ve had great success riding my coaches horse with that bit. They all seem to bow down and obey to the german silver bits. Just a thought.

Bebe

“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.”
-Alexander Hamilton

[Peggy]

I paid $12.95 for my jelly bean mouthpiece bit. Of course, it’s not German Silver and the jelly bean thing isn’t at the special, expensive “KK angle” relative to the rest of the mouthpiece. My horse seems to like it, though.

[DMK]

5. I will NOT covet my trainer’s Bit Box

6. I will not covet ANYONE’S Bit Box

7. I will remember that stealing a bit box could be construed as Grand Theft (especially if Shuttleworth is involved)

[Zaboobafoo]

Ever since I was a little girl I have been bit obsessed. I remember being like 10 years old and riding my medium pony in a different bit every week to see what worked best…as if I knew what accepting the bit was then!! But I have ALWAYS loved them!

I love big dees. Any kind! And I love “neat” bits. Like those loose rings that had hookies on them. I just HAD to buy one for my large pony at the time, even tho he was going perfectly in the bits I already had.

My jumper went in so many bits I cannot even tell you!! Everything from a happy mouth to twisted bolted custom dee to a rubber gag to a rubber pelham. And millions of loose rings in between. Still, I think he goes best in the happy mouth Hehehe. Thats my all time favorite bit!

[Tin]

wouldn’t it be alot easier if horses were born with a saddle on thier backs and bit in their mouths, it would save alot of time and alot of money!
We have a show tomorrow and will debut the full cheek but will tote along the loose ring just incase

~Did you know that Coca-Cola was originally green?~

[AAJumper]

Hee hee…Beezer, you MUST take a pic after you mount the frame on the truck!!!

[Eglinton]

I agree with Bebe, Tin those KK german silver ones with that thing on the middle are amazing.

[Reginapony]

DMK,
Where do you get custom english bits? I have two custom loose ring bits made by Tom Balding that my horse adores, but Tom makes mostly western bits.

[Sleepy]

8. I will not buy every new bit that I see in a shop or catalog, just because I don’t already have one like it.

9. I will not buy bits in multiple sizes.

10. I will not buy any new bits in multiple cheek styles.

[system]

<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by R&R:
My horse goes in one at horseshows, a dee ring slow twisted dr. bristol, the plate is set at the correct angle for his mouth. It was mad by J Shuttleworth, who I agree with DMK is the reigning king of the custom bit! They are pricey though, mine was a “bargin” however my friend has a segunda phelem that was three hundred dollars , scary stuff huh? Considering she hardly ever uses it these days!

R&RDo you have a contact phone # for Jay Shuttleworth, I need a custom bit! It would be appreciated. Thank you, BeauMan
“Dmklinger: LOL - sorry - wouldn’t know a backstreet boy if one came up and bit me!!”
Now if that isn’t a classic!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[LMH]

Having 3 green horses at different levels and tempraments I too went on a very expensive exhaustive search for the perfect bit-including KKs, Dewsbury bits and Mylers.

The result: All my horses (including my 16yo retired hunter) happily go in a copper roller ball found at libertyville saddle shop for the grand amount of about $25.

I have an eggbutt, D and full cheek(for the 3yo). I LOVE this bit. I get foam, great contact, whoa when I need it and basically just the perfect amount of “support”. It is a 3 piece bit and fits nicely in each mouth as well.

So much for the fancy bits-I will be sticking with my $25 dollar finds for quite a while!

Life is too short to dance with ugly men

[Merry]

!!!

Now, how to actually involve the bit museum in my love life… LOL! I could just see Mr. Merry’s face…

“Charter Member of the Baby Greenie Support Group of North America”

[Cactuskate]

Ditto, the KK with the jelly bean center. I have a loose ring and just got a D ring for that “correct hunter look” you know.

I have never been a big bit collector, so imagine my chagrin in owning two bits worth almost $200.00. But anything to keep ol’ Bud happy.

Dover had the best price on the D ring, and I think they also have full cheek in same mouth piece.

Good luck with your collection.

“The older I get, the better I used to be.”

[lilblackhorse]

i too have a love affair with bits-why not? They are relatively cheap, and like someone else said, they rarely go out of style, and don’t get eaten or mold!
That said, (and I assume you all jump, as I am lurking as an eventer), my favorite dressage bit is a boucher. Now, I have used a french link or KK leine with success, but I have to admit that my life has taken a marvelous turnaround with the advent of my Myler…I know, there are those of you who think they are hogwash, but I honestly think you should give one a try if you are having any problems. I have a ported barrel D ring with lifters for dressage (tho the D’s are a bit big for a cob sized face), and for jumping I use the same mouthpiece in a full cheek. (with keepers). I LOVE my Mylers, he foams, he doesn’t hang, he will stop…jumping, dressage,you name it, try them—they are a bit queen’s new pride and joy…aimee

[DMK]

oh now just HOLD ON sleepy!!! Don’t you think you are taking this just a tad TOO FAR?!?!?!?!?

[Tin]

wow, when did this get dragged up again? lol! unfortunatly my search still continues for the perfect bit (Waterford now in trial) and my collection is getting bigger and bigger and bigger…

Oh silver shiny things are so hard to resist

<It’s all part of my ninja training >

[Bertie]

We have a mare who’s been a puzzle since we got her about 6 months ago…she starts out like a pleasure horse then tenses and builds and ends up in a total panic, trying to yank the reins out of your hands and legs flying in every direction. This is not a green horse, and all this takes place during just a simple hack.

We’ve tried at least 20 different bits on her from a Myler (which I happily shelled out 80 bucks for in the hope that she’d like it - NOT) to a hacka-bit…nothing made her happy UNTIL…

digging deep into the drawer o’ bits, I came up with a little plain eggbutt that I used on my pony probably 35 years ago… and VOILA she loves it. Who woulda thought?

“Always speak your mind, but ride a fast horse” – Texas Bix Bender