ISO Recommendations for tack for lightly started filly

[miminorthwest]

I’m looking for recommendations for bit/bridle for my 3 year old. She’s had 9 months of light under saddle training in western tack (western pleasure barn) however I’d like to start sourcing her English tack as she will be doing mainly hunt seat. She’s on a training break right now, and so I thought this would be a decent time to start gathering stuff for her.

What would be a good starting bit? Currently she’s in a twist wire snaffle, however I want to upgrade to something softer as she’s displayed softness.

I’ve been eyeballing the Edgewood bridles, any feedback on those?

[JustJump]

Goodness. I said I was just going to take a quick peek, read only, not make replies. But this looked harmless enough. Oh well.

Does your Western trainer ALWAYS start 2 yo’s in wire bits? With that beginning…I’m not sure what to recommend. I normally start them in a plain mouthed single jointed snaffle in a well fitting bridle already broken in (no stiff new tack on a green one).

[Scribbler]

I would say a simple snaffle and yes a nice comfy well used bridle.

I would not be putting a $400 bridle on a 3 year old for every day riding because it’s way too easy to have one of those moments when horse steps on reins and whole thing rips apart.

I would probably put the snaffle on a western headstall with English reins or an English headstall with no noseband.

[miminorthwest]

@JustJump

Goodness. I said I was just going to take a quick peek, read only, not make replies. But this looked harmless enough. Oh well.

Does your Western trainer ALWAYS start 2 yo’s in wire bits? With that beginning…I’m not sure what to recommend. I normally start them in a plain mouthed single jointed snaffle in a well fitting bridle already broken in (no stiff new tack on a green one).

Oh girl, that’s exactly why I’m here. I need to “take the reins” and fast! Good tip on the broken in bridle, I’ll look for a good second hand one for sure.

[nu5ha]

The last 3 babies I’ve had started ( with a trainer not on my own ) in a rope halter and then bosal (every one gave me some funny looks as sometimes I rode with English saddle, even had their first jump in a bosal )then I will put a bit.
I like to use a double jointed loose ring as a first bit, not sure where to go if you started with a twisted wire as a first but, would not be my first choice or 10th for that matter.Also agree dont put anything fancy on baby horse, she will somehow end up killing it. I usually use one of my other horses super well used bridles until they have been riding for a while, then they get their own starter bridle, I also have lots of well used bits and bridle parts to put a bridle together should they need a different noseband or no noseband, or to play around with bits.

[JenEM]

I have a 3YO TB. She’s currently going nicely in this bit:
https://www.statelinetack.com/item/korsteel-copper-oval-link-hunter-dee-bit/SLT900257%20475/?srccode=GPSLT&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0erK0P2t6QIVCZ2zCh1zJgEOEAQYAyABEgJLgvD_BwE

I find that bit to be a good starting point for most horses.

[Equestrian24]

Edgewood bridles are beautiful! I think they’re definitely worth the money. Just don’t over-oil them.

There are also plenty of great used options on the market as well. Crosby (preferably the older ones with the oval “Crosby England” stamp) are some of my personal favorites. Exselle bridles, if you can find one, are supposedly made in the same factory as the original Crosbys. Jeffries, Moritz, older Beval, Dover Wellington, Courbette, Stübben, New Cavalry, Hadfield’s, Harmohn Kraft Aramas & Americana, etc. are all great as well.

Most of the trainers I’ve ridden under have started everything in a plain D-ring snaffle, and another started in a Myler D-Ring Comfort Snaffle. I feel either of those are good choices.

[candyappy]

I start all my horses ( and put any I purchase ) in a full check snaffle and keep them there forever. I have never had an unhappy horse in one , no matter what they were started in they did great from the start.

Just like this one.