Lots of OTTBs are in the no contact camp. My go to bit in the retraining process for such horses is either a HS Duo or a Nathe bit. But it really just takes time and very soft elastic arms.
[QUOTE=aktill;8606155]
Yep, you sure are.
It really depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. Argumentum ad populum works for some people.[/QUOTE]
Apparently I hit a nerve by simply asking “why” to your post?
shrug I guess I don’t know any rider or trainer who rides in a curb bit 100% of the time with ZERO contact. There are times when different levels of contact are needed. Certainly, some curb bits are better suited for that than others.
How exactly are you supposed to advance a bridle horse through their training if you are NEVER supposed to pick up contact on the reins? Logically, that doesn’t make sense.
[QUOTE=lorilu;8606282]Aktill, his teeth were checked by the vet at the PPE. That said, the dentist is scheduled for the barn in the near future.
That snaffle you posted is interesting. While rollers on the center link are legal, bumps are not…
To answer your other question, the snaffle we tried was a nice fat bean (not too fat for his mouth).
I understand what you are saying about a hole in his training, and I agree it is a hole. I just don’t think I need to go back to “turn and stop with the reins” to teach him acceptance.[/QUOTE]
Actually, it was me that asked those questions.
And I would still advocate going back to “square one” with him in a snaffle to teach that bit acceptance.
[QUOTE=lorilu;8606282]
Regarding the later discussion re: curbs and contact, this is the continuing discussion (AFAIK) within the WD world. As it stands now, contact (not draped reins) is required even in a curb, and two hands may be used on a curb. [/QUOTE]
This is my biggest disappointment with the way the rules for WD ended up. I would have much preferred that it be snaffle=two hands=light contact and curb=one hand=no constant contact. Take your choice, snaffle or curb, but each has to be ridden in the way most appropriate for that bit.
But, as you say, the current rules require light contact no matter what bit is used, so there you are. 
No nerve here, just the same ol, same ol debate.
Tried a “correction” bit, which is a three piece mouthpiece, the center piece is a port. He seemed to like it, and I am going to look for one with a shorter shank (it was a bit long for us, I think.)
Thanks for all the advice. I’ll revisit this and let ya’ll know how things go.
