Need Bit advise!

[Kellykison4]

Hi, everyone!

I am new to this sight so please bare with me. I hope I get some good responses!

I have a little 13.2hh pony that is just used for having fun around the farm and occasionally a fun show. He is amazing! Will let anyone do anything and is as close to “bombproof” as you could get. The only problem is that he can be a bit hard mouthed and doesn’t always have great steering. He is currently in a broken pelham bit. Any suggestions on a bit to change to? Or even some training advise to get him to soften up?

Thanks!

[paulosey]

I would spend more time on training him to move off the leg to turn. He might prefer an unbroken bit, as well. I know my horse hates a broken bit. Maybe try a straight pelham or curb bit.

[beau159]

@Kellykison4

The only problem is that he can be a bit hard mouthed and doesn’t always have great steering. He is currently in a broken pelham bit. Any suggestions on a bit to change to? Or even some training advise to get him to soften up?

A bit change may help, but ultimately, you’ll simply need to re-train your horse to be softer to the bit.

I like to always go back to square one when re-training, and then progress as you need. I would suggest going back to a plain snaffle. I myself prefer bits that have a double joint in them, rather than a single joint.

Start with direct rein pressure, one rein at a time. The most important thing is that you release pressure immediately when the horse gives you a correct response even in the slightest. But do NOT release until they do give you the right response (or you will teach them the wrong thing). Timing is very important to create a horse with soft mouth. And you also need to be 100% consistent.

Start with small requests and slowly build as the horse learns. Same goes if you ask the horse to stop or back up and you apply even pressure with both reins. Hold steady if he fights you, but release the instant he “gives” to you.

[JPRose97]

@paulosey

I would spend more time on training him to move off the leg to turn. He might prefer an unbroken bit, as well. I know my horse hates a broken bit. Maybe try a straight pelham or curb bit.

Agree with the curb bit. I have a QH who can be a hot head and was quite unresponsive/hard-mouthed in a split bit (was broke out with a tom thumb and rode in it till a year after we got him when he turned six.) He’s more responsive in the curb, still a little iffy but responds a lot better.

A lot of good advice on here with the softening exercises.!

[sumastrogirl]

I agree the the above posts, you could also try a full cheek

[Palm_Beach]

What beau said, retraining is needed to fix the hard mouth. But if the pony is being ridden by kids and novice riders, keep something forgiving in his mouth - he developed a hard mouth to protect himself.

[Kellykison4]

Thanks everyone!

[RPM]

I agree with the others who suggested going back to bitting basics, and try a plain snaffle, maybe a French link, because it is double-jointed. Just don’t get the French link confused with the Dr. Bristol snaffle! That is also a double-jointed snaffle, but is a very harsh one.

Originally posted by JPRose97:

I have a QH who can be a hot head and was quite unresponsive/hard-mouthed in a split bit (was broke out with a tom thumb and rode in it till a year after we got him when he turned six.) He’s more responsive in the curb, still a little iffy but responds a lot better.

A Tom Thumb is a “bastard” bit – neither a snaffle nor a curb. True, it has a jointed mouth, but its shanks are like those of a leverage (curb) bit, so it’s neither the one nor the other. It is a HORRIBLE bit, especially for a green horse, so no wonder a horse would be unresponsive (at best) in it – some horses can be dangerous in a Tom Thumb because it gives such muddled non-signals.

There is also a Tom Thumb Pelham, which is something totally different, and is simply a pelham with short shanks. comes with a variety of mouthpieces, including a jointed mouthpiece.

I would go to a basic French-link snaffle, either an eggbutt, or possible a full-cheek (which can help a green horse learn steering).

I would also work on getting the pony to move off my seat and legs first, and INTO the bit, for moving off, turning, and halting. That is the primary cue for a horse; the bit is just there to “fine tune” the other aids and be used in combination with the seat and legs.

[cloudy18]

Agree with the retraining in a snaffle. And to add options and opinions, because if you ask a question on a horse forum, you deserve multiple varying answers ;), something with a lozenge instead of a French link might also work.

​​​​​​A Kimberwicke is also a decent bit, fairly mild with just a little leverage. But I would retrain in a snaffle of some sort and use a Kimberwicke later if you find you need a little more bit in certain situations.

[adam0908]

tnx to your advice…