If they file the points down nice and rounded on that bicycle chain Mule Bit, it’s a Waterford without the price tag.
It’s not bad at all. Some horses like to pick it up and hold it and the flexibilty allows it to sit easy in their mouths. Pretty similar to the braided rawhide Native Americans used and what was probably the first thing ever put in their mouths 10k years back or so.
It is not bad. Just looks like it…and there are those that file the points sharp and I have no use for them.
Karen O’Connor used this bit on Teddy.
[QUOTE=J Swan;3268292]
Karen O’Connor used this bit on Teddy.[/QUOTE]
Yes. It makes me giggle to see people talking about it like it’s the worst thing ever, and how “real trainers” wouldn’t use it. Apparently most of the greats I look up to aren’t “real trainers.” 
I had to chime in here…
There is nothing more annoying to me than hearing someone say that all horses should be able to be ridden (effectively) in a snaffle, or standing martingales are unnecessary or draw reins are from the devil.
Every time I hear someone say something like this I lose total respect for them as a horse person. Have we not learned yet that all horses are individuals and saying “NEVER” and “ALWAYS” is narrow minded and uninformed?!!!
I’ve been on enough different rides to know that not one single method works on ALL horses…including bitting.
It’s already been mentioned but why toil away with a horse lugging on your hands instead of switching to something that will encourage them to come up and therefore cut down your “nagging”? I personally think it’s rider vanity and that SUCKS for a horse!
[QUOTE=Czar;3269559]
I had to chime in here…
There is nothing more annoying to me than hearing someone say that all horses should be able to be ridden (effectively) in a snaffle, or standing martingales are unnecessary or draw reins are from the devil.
Every time I hear someone say something like this I lose total respect for them as a horse person. Have we not learned yet that all horses are individuals and saying “NEVER” and “ALWAYS” is narrow minded and uninformed?!!!
I’ve been on enough different rides to know that not one single method works on ALL horses…including bitting.
It’s already been mentioned but why toil away with a horse lugging on your hands instead of switching to something that will encourage them to come up and therefore cut down your “nagging”? I personally think it’s rider vanity and that SUCKS for a horse![/QUOTE]
Well said…
So true. :yes: People are so proud to say they ride in a plain snaffle, but I guess they like leaving out strides & yanking constantly on their horse’s face.
[QUOTE=Giddy-up;3269806]
So true. :yes: People are so proud to say they ride in a plain snaffle, but I guess they like leaving out strides & yanking constantly on their horse’s face.[/QUOTE]
:lol:
I’ve never had to use one so can’t really, but I heard from one of the greatest horsemen ever that you should be able to get a horse to do anything in nothing more than a snaffle. If you can’t, it’s the rider’s fault, not the horse’s.
Not that this is a person that is too proud or anything, in fact, she’s great and I love that we run in the same showing circles, but I think it illustrates the point:
Mainly eventing rider came to our H/J schooling show and was riding in a bit with some gag action…in the hunter classes. So I lent her my horse’s bridle (his ‘harsh’ bit a KK Ultra D). First round was lovely. The horse was soft, forward and just pleasing…so she decided to continue riding in it. After another round or two, things started going down hill to the point that it was getting scary. Horse was leaving strides out and just not listening. She came out of the ring and we already had her other bridle ready for her…which she gladly put back on. The next round was again nice and forward, but the horse was responsive and didn’t leave out any strides.
Seriously, ride your horse in what works. Be conscious about your hands and ride properly, but don’t let someone guilt you into thinking that the only bit you should use is a plain snaffle.
Used this when schooling and at shows with my TB mare. She was a “rusher” and this was her “reminder”. I used the bit when I was around 15 but I had also been riding awhile and had quiet hands and knew how the bit worked therefore I knew how not to abuse its use. I still have it and use it on my TB gelding now.
[QUOTE=loriandlobo;3269887]
I’ve never had to use one so can’t really, but I heard from one of the greatest horsemen ever that you should be able to get a horse to do anything in nothing more than a snaffle. If you can’t, it’s the rider’s fault, not the horse’s.[/QUOTE]
And who is this great horseman you speak of??? If he were so great he would not need a bit at all… :rolleyes:
Well, that’s just hunky dory if you are the greatest horseman ever mounted on somebody elses 500k horse or on one you made yourself. Good for you.
But for the rest of us slobs mounted on what we have that may have been ruined by others or that we started and made a few mistakes on, we ride what we got according to our talents. If that talent falls short of the greatest, sobeit.
Have to say, I hear what they say but have seen the greatest of the greats actually ride in competion…and they were not in a plain snaffle ALL the time on every horse. That became less likely as the fences went up.
Oh, it may look plain from the side but who knows what lies between those plain dee rings inside the mouth?
OK maybe back before BDT. Not now.
Perhaps that plain snaffle goal was spoken to show you what humility really is from one who knows it’s only what you learn after you know it all that counts. By one who cannot do it either. Despite a huge reputation.
It is far worse for a horse to be nagged by a milder bit then experience a suggestion from something stronger. Pontificate all you want, the real world is a little different when real world riders ride then horse they have.
:lol: That’s another fav of mine…“oh it goes in a big D”
A big D what??? The “D” is the thing on the side, not what’s in the middle.
Awesome post! And, may I add, that even some of those $500+ horses don’t go in plain snaffles! But, I guess Loblow (or whatever she’s called) hasn’t SEEN some of those Grand Prix riders (and I’m talking some of the BEST riders in the world) many of those horses have some serious hardware in their mouth and good gravy, actually LOVE their job! Much better to have an instantly responsive horse when your galloping to a 5ft+ fence than one grabbing onto a snaffle bit & running like a freaking freight train…although, this “greatest trainer in the history of the world” wouldn’t know THAT, right???:winkgrin:
Another “great” is known for telling people to bring the horse back the next day in a double twisted wire. :lol:
Good post, Findeight. Nagging the horse’s mouth in a “gentle” bit can dull the horse’s mouth, whereas a stronger bit could keep the horse sharper; just like nagging the horse’s sides with our legs will dull its sides, whereas a well-timed tap with a crop or whip would keep the horse sharper. But I suppose there are purists who think crops and whips are cruel and unnecessary too.
Forgive this question, but what is “BDT,” as in “maybe back before BDT?”
You know i was watching my Hunter Seat Equitation video the other day and they were talking about schooling at home in a plain snaffle but then showed the horses’ ‘show’ bit which was a full cheek slow twist snaffle. Their reasoning was at home you’re asking him to do things that set him up for the show. At the show he should’ve already been schooled and ready and now is his time to shine. And the change in bits is another reminder that he’s not schooling.
I rode a big horse of mine in a double twisted wire snaffle and he was just fine. Never traumatized.
Czar, I like you already! Perfect posting!
Before Drug Testing.
It was legal and acceptable way back when I started showing on that flat place in front of the cave.
Let’s not start a firestorm here. Some did. Some did not. At the time there was nothing amiss. And there STILL is not in NRHA, NRCHA and NCHA competitions. I hear they are moving to eliminate it…not doing those competitions so no idea where they stand now. Do know the FEI Reining sends up quite a whine from the circuit regulars.
So just be sure you know what you are looking at and making assumptions based on, may not be what you think. Despite what the rider claims about what you cannot see in the mouth…or what runs inside in the bloodstream…that won’t test?
I just go to a stronger bit and a little more flatwork.
Never mind. It’s shame people have such closed minds when it comes to horses. No telling what they are capable of if given the chance from someone. There is no substitute for TRYING to strive for better horsemanship. Put 1 rider on 1 horse with the barest of equipment, much less shortcuts, and see who can get what done. THAT would be the truest test of horsemanship - NOT by using artificial aids to make up for the rider’s shortcomings. Some on this forum make me realize why I respect the TRUE cowboy way of horsemanship and comaradarie - they would NEVER criticize something or someone just because they don’t understand it. It’s called humility and several of you could stand to be schooled in that.:):):)
[QUOTE=loriandlobo;3270358]
Never mind. It’s shame people have such closed minds when it comes to horses. No telling what they are capable of if given the chance from someone. There is no substitute for TRYING to strive for better horsemanship. Put 1 rider on 1 horse with the barest of equipment, much less shortcuts, and see who can get what done. THAT would be the truest test of horsemanship - NOT by using artificial aids to make up for the rider’s shortcomings. Some on this forum make me realize why I respect the TRUE cowboy way of horsemanship and comaradarie - they would NEVER criticize something or someone just because they don’t understand it. It’s called humility and several of you could stand to be schooled in that.:):):):)[/QUOTE]
Oh, puh-LEEZE!
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