Talk to me about bits

[NeedsAdvil]

I’ve been riding for most of my life, but had gotten out of horse ownership for a few years. I recently purchased a horse, and an acquiring all the things I need for him. Currently, I’m riding him in the bit/bridle his breeder/previous owner used on him which is a copper mouth D ring Dr. Bristol. He goes fine in it, and I’m not one to throw a bit at a problem, but I do want him to be comfortable. There certainly seem to be some options on the market for that, but would love the COTH expertise on what is actually comfortable vs. what is not for a horse. He’s 3/4TB 1/4 WB, and not particularly picky about anything in life, lol. He will be doing a mix of things, schooling shows, some hunter trials & combined training, some fox hunting, some trail riding, and some derby cross.

In the past I had good luck with Myler bits on horses that had a low palate or otherwise picky. I don’t think I need to go that route, but if it will keep him happier and more comfortable in the long run, I’m all for it.

I’m torn between getting the same exact bit or looking for something that might be more comfortable without going up in severity (even at his most green baby brain moments, the Dr. Bristol has been plenty to get him back to working and stop goofing off). Any thoughts on what bits horses seem to like best?

[HorseBlessings]

I think the lightest possible option is always best. A Nathe super bendy soft shaped rubber bit, a Dr. Cook bitless bridle, a short shank padded nose jump hackamore with soft curb strap from Sprenger or Stubben, or a shaped happy mouth snaffle with roller are some of the options I use with success. That being said, a good independent seat, trained leg aids, a really good fitting saddle, and light, soft hands make the difference for horse comfort

[Jackie_Cochran]

I have MS and a rather weak seat that often shifts. Even so my riding teacher says I have good hands.

The horses I ride had consigned me to the fate of riding with an odd type of bit (the Wellep bit, no longer made, a very different type of mouthpiece) for years.

Then I decided to try titanium bits. I could not afford the pure titanium bits but I went searching and found out about titanium COATED bits (over brass or stainless steel). A LOT of these are “rainbow” and everyone who comments on them say how pretty they are (warning, the cheaper “rainbow” bits are NOT titanium coated, the good ones cost a little more, usually from $25.00 USD to around $70.00 USD.) You can find them on Amazon and Ebay, for the search do titanium snaffle bit, if you just put titanium bit you will see hundreds of bits for drills.

All of a sudden the horses allowed me to use mouthpieces that they had not allowed me to use for years, Mullen mouth, Kimberwick (Cambridge mouth), double jointed snaffle w/ a lozenge, single jointed snaffle, "comfort"double-jointed snaffle and a single jointed Baucher. When I used these bit mouthpieces in stainless steel, sooner or later the horses would start flinging their heads in displeasure with my hands. When I use these mouthpieces in the titanium coated bits the horses still object to my contact on my really bad days when my MS acts up, but they give me a lot more grace in the titanium bits. With stainless steel they would immediately object when my MS got worse, usually head flinging, with the titanium they are not as vehement, on my really bad days they mostly suck back, refusing contact but not making it a big deal out of it.

These bits also warm up quickly, wonderful in the winter.

[ladyj79]

I love copper, but prefer a lozenge to Dr Bristol, but Dr Bristol is a perfectly fine and gentle bit.

[NeedsAdvil]

Thank you guys so much! I think I will look into the titanium bits and hopefully can find a French link/lozenge style in that, otherwise I’ll stick with exactly what he is used to. Bits are one of those things that don’t really change, but there are always advancements that hopefully make our horses happier!

[annairb]

It really depends on what he is doing as to what bit you should try. For example, my guy was tossing his head so I got him a Myler level 2. It really also depends on the horse and their preference. I would suggest always starting from the softest bits you can find and work your way upwards if necessary.

I found this video super helpful: http://www.equestriancoach.com/content/bits-and-bitting