Okay, edited for clarity of what I’m trying to get at. When I get on an english horse, I have in my tack room at all times at least a D ring single jointed snaffle, a loose ring french link, a single joint full cheek, a pelham, and a KK rounded french link loose ring. From the horses’ reactions to those, I can then buy an appropriate bit if necessary, or they like one of those and stay in it. I have a lot of other english bits, but for me, those give me the best idea of what the horse likes. No science behind it, just preference. What are your personal equivalent non-snaffle bits? Not all horses go in snaffles, and when you’re trying to pick out an appropriate non-snaffle bit, which is apparently not a curb based on the replies I’m getting, what is your favorite bit?
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That is rarely done
I haven’t seen any in snaffles at the events and clinics I’ve been to. My horses respond better and are more comfortable in curbs, but I’m not sure i have the best bit for the horse, and don’t have very many curbs in my tack room to try. I’m trying to build up my western bit stash.
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That is rarely done[/QUOTE]
geez, you should see the WSCA yahoos at the speed events around here. No business riding in any of the bits they use (most of them have no business riding), but they can’t stop their horses so they try these nasty things (not saying curbs are nasty, saying theirs are) and add a steel cable tie down for good measure.
small potatoes, I know, but they think they are big time.
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That is rarely done[/QUOTE]
Not here…you will almost never see any speed horses in a non-leverage bit.
Solid mouthpiece/shank curbs are not a good idea for gaming/speed. You will be taking that horse in two hands at some point, and those types of bits are way too much for that kind of contact.
If you “need” a leverage bit for speed stuff, look into the combination bits with jointed mouthpieces and shanks.
I’d think gags and the like are much more popular for gaming.
Gags are another option as well, yes.
