Merry,
He didn’t know what bits were…they
looked like some kind of torture
apparatus to him. 
Ah yes, I just chanced upon this thread… Tin, the title sort of turned me off, because as a charter member of the Imelda Marcos Bit Club, there is no such thing as the perfect bit… The only real option is to own ALL the bits 
(yes Merry, there are many of us 
)
My quest has been to own all the mouthpieces of snaffles in as many cheek styles as possible…
Of course, my preferred bit is the loose ring, which has always served me in good stead, but will simply not do in the ring… So about 12 seconds after I acquired every last full cheek mouthpiece, the style switched to the Big Ds. In a measure of some control, I only have 2 custom Big Ds. Racks and racks of non-customs though…
Do you ever find yourself buying a bit for NO OTHER REASON other than “you might need it someday?” I mean your horse goes extremely well in his current bit, and there is no reason to suspect that will change, but you see a bit hanging in a tack shop and next thing you know your collection is up to 128 bits?
Reginapony
Most of the big vendors at the horseshows - Beval, Hadfields, and a few that escape me right now, carry a few handmade bits…
And of course, there is the reigning king of custom bits, Jay Shuttleworth, who can be found at the bigger shows (Devon, Harrisburg, etc.).
The most recent one I bought was a happy mouth mullen mouthpiece that had a big custom D put on it. Very pretty indeed! (much prettier than any old KK Beanville Bit! )
We have a disease, DMK. You notice I haven’t signed up to join a support group or go to meetings.
your best bet is a bit with at least two breaks in it.
My TB did the waterford for a while, then an (imitation- because the shape of the D rubbed his face)“myler” mullen barrel, then back to the waterford and now in a happy mouth peanut roller D.
I have quite a few bits but not as many it sounds some of you have. I also seem to have a problem with lending them out for friends to try and not getting them back… 
MERRY! You have found your long-lost siblings! Relatives united in bit-addiction!! I am soooo happy for you.
I swear … the woman has more bits than we have room for. It must be like wading through Imelda Marcos’ shoe closet – only the shoes are bits. 
Bulletin Board Goddess
urg looks like the collection of bits will grow once again. I took Tin to the show with the full cheek and it was a disater, we seemed to have lost our half halts and framing aid.
Now here’s my problem (if anyone can help, I beg you please pipe in) the first day I tried the bit I had the keepers up high (just below the nibs on the bit) and he was good. Could have been a fluke or a good day or he liked the keepers up high. At the show with my show bridle I had to put the keepers down low and it was disasterous. Today I rode in the same bridle/low keeper and it was just as bad as at the show, maybe a little better. So then I took the keepers off and no change.
But here’s where the questions come to play, I then put him in the loose ring again and he was just as unresponsive as the full cheek. So now I know he’s just being a beast in which our schooling routine will increase but with which bit?
argggggggg any help from you bit collectors would be greatly appreciated
~Did you know that it is possible to lead a cow upstairs but not downstairs?~
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 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. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Merry! Step away from that credit card! Put down those catalogs and STEP AWAY from the phone and credit card!
Now. Repeat after me: “I do NOT need those KK bits that my cyber-co-dependents are raving about. I do NOT need…”
Remember, people: The first step to the cure is admitting you have a problem.
Bulletin Board Goddess
My name is Sleepy and I am a bit-aholic.
I will confess that I don’t have all these new-fangled bits that have come out in my 10+ year hiatus from riding, but I am catching up. LOL
Besides feeling the need to own every mouthpiece in every cheek style like DMK, I also have them in multiple sizes to fit the various horses I have owned over the years. But even I was overwhelmed by the bit selection in the Libertyville catalog. Some of the more interesting ones, like the ‘controller’ bit look too harsh for me to ever consider using (i.e., I’m not getting on a horse that requires such a contraption).
- I will not buy a bit unless I know what its purpose is.
What’s that old saying…You can never be too rich, too thin, or have too many bits…?
“Always speak your mind, but ride a fast horse” – Texas Bix Bender
Which bit, you ask? a NEW bit says the bit-oholic.
Semi-joking, but still… you might want to try a different bit if he’s ignoring the ones you’ve been using. Try to stick with the mildest bit you can…maybe try a dee snaffle. Just something that’s a little different. And be sure that the edges aren’t pinching the corners of his mouth.
I sometimes think that if they’re in a rut, just a little change -not necessarily stronger, sometimes even an easier bit – coupled with focusing on what needs work (half halts? bending?) can give them a fresh outlook and help them to be more receptive.
“Always speak your mind, but ride a fast horse” – Texas Bix Bender
Beezer, no offense, but I’m sure glad you are not my sister.
What fun is it too have just the stuff you need? I just bought a used Pessoa, (I am sooo excited) and I don’t even have a trainer to work with me over fences. Duh. But with that fancy D ring, hmmmmm.
But Bud looks so cute all dressed up in his hunter outfit you know.
Sick, all I can say is sick, and obsessed.
“The older I get, the better I used to be.”
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&R
“Dmklinger: LOL - sorry - wouldn’t know a backstreet boy if one came up and bit me!!”
Now if that isn’t a classic!
oh… OK, then… as long as we are making rules for OTHER people…
- I will not go to the best “bit vendor” at the show until AFTER I have paid my show and trainer bill…
And the great thing about bits is that they don’t get moldy or eaten by rodents. They just hang out until you need them. I even carry a few in my car, just in case.
I am just about to start my bit collection. I have a 3 year old and I ride her in a copper D ring, but recently have been wondering if a different bit would be easier on her mouth. I plan on trying a few before I buy another.
On different note, I seem to be collecting halters. My new leather one was delivered today, and this makes 4. I’ve only had the horse a year and we have 4 halters. Seems a bit extravagant, don’t you think??
No offense taken, Cactuskate … I have no doubt Merry often feels the same way, particularly when she enlists me as groundsperson to help her with some problem.
Bulletin Board Goddess
Yes, sleepy… but have you ever bought a Waterford, just because of how “pretty, shiny and twinkly” it was?
I remember Finzean got a TON of amusement out of that confession!
- I will not buy the same bit as the Champion or Reserve hunter rider(s) used in the Crossrail Classic Division
“The older I get, the better I used to be.”
