Thanks!! That was the answer I was looking for. Just wondering if the broken mouthpiece was better/worse…kinder/more severe than the solid, low port. One of the Apx. QH’s looks and moves like a big WB in a French snaffle…and cuts and spins like a top in “anything” with a curb strap!!!
I prefer something with a jointed mouth (preferably double jointed) because if I need to pick up on both reins for any reason, that type of bit works better for that. Whereas a solid mouthpiece should realistically only be neck reined with, because when you direct rein on one side, it sends signals “everywhere”.
I also am not a fan of twisted wire mouthpieces or thin mouthpieces (which are more harsh). I figure if I can’t get the job done in a nice width and smooth mouthpiece, then I have holes I need to fix.
But, find something that works for hubby and works for horse. Use what works.
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Yes, if you avoid twisted and super thin, a double joint or port are fairly comparable. It comes down to what the horse works better in, and as beau said, if hubby is riding more with one or two hands. But a snaffle will likely do the job as well. My husband is riding his new trail horse in an O ring snaffle with lozenge. Your husband might find he gets a better feel with something with shanks, or maybe not.
Our new guy was ridden in a Jr Cowhorse with twisted mouthpiece, so not a great bit for someone with not great hands. We tried a Myler snaffle, single joint D ring, the O ring with lozenge, and a Myler curb with low port. I don’t consider any of those really more harsh than the other. We went with what I felt he went best in, and what I felt my husband could handle. (He rode his previous horse in the Myler curb, but this horse has holes to fill, husband needs some work, and they are not a good combination for a leverage bit at this time.) Just an example of what beau said-use what works.
Lord knows where I found it, but my western horse goes in a loose, flat ringed, brass single joint snaffle with a not too thick, not too thin mouth piece. I think it might be a polo bit? But not for certain. We had played the not quite right bit game for 5 or 6 of them, when I slapped this one on her in desperation. I don’t think she would like it as much with anything other than my medium-heavy split reins. The feedback I’d important to her.
Most colts we started went best in a plain steel, medium mouth D ring snaffle, once we transitioned from our home made grass rope nose hackamore to a bit.
I NEVER use thin or twisted bits on any horse!! The horses I’d be using are good old boy, well broke western horses that I usually ride English in a snaffle. Daughter is going to bring me something “easy” to try. They’d ride in halters and lead ropes…hubby has good hands!! I prefer French link snaffles for my horses, but some horses don’t like that either…I guess that’s why there are hundreds of bits in the world. You wouldn’t believe what the barrel racers and ropers use out here in Ok. UNREAL!! Then they tie their heads down so tight they can’t get any relief!!
Oh, I do believe it. There’s plenty of garbage no matter the discipline. I’m on a FB bit page and there are plenty of examples of horrible stuff, often on barrel horses.
If horses and hubby are well trained and you need a bit that looks the part, just go with a Western D snaffle. Otherwise, if you’re bored and want to do an experiment to see if they get more finesse with a leverage bit, try the low port curb and a double jointed shank bit. Like I said, our horse didn’t seem too thrilled with the Myler with low port, but he’d been ridden in a double jointed mouthpiece. You can find leverage bits with a dogbone center, so the mouthpiece would be similar to your French link.
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The trainer I rode with as a kid thought Tom Thumbs(the American type) were only good for toilet paper holders, lol!
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I’ve heard THAT!!!
I have heard they don’t even make good toilet paper holders.:lol:
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I personally like (and my horses do, too) this bit as a transition from a regular snaffle to a shanked bit (info from SmarkPak). I switched to this from the Myler Level 1 eggbutt.
Myler Level 2 Low Port Snaffle Flat Shank
Horse Level
- Basic training is established
- Relaxed at the poll; holds position when rein is released
- Possesses more complex skills such as bending, collection, side passes and lead changes
- Features curved mouthpiece
- Uses less tongue pressure and more bar pressure, with the mouthpiece rolling on the bars. Applies pressure across the tongue versus more in the center. May collapse into the bars
- May offer curb and/or poll pressure depending on the cheek or shank design
- May offer Independent Side Movement™
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the bit that you said you were looking at is what we use on my very sensitive rescue, we only use that type, everyone is saying it’s crap, but that’s all I use, my horses like it.
