New Bit

[jane]

My bit is getting rather worn, in that the copper rollers are looking worse for wear.

I have
www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/D_Cheek_Copper_Roller_Snaffle_copper_roller_d-cheek_racing_bit-%28474%29.aspx

Deb's goes well in this but I know it can be quite severe, although I know I am quite light with my hands. She used to lean on my hands when I first had her and could be quite strong but I have no problems with this now.

My question is should I stick with this bit or try a milder eggbut snaffle type with a lozenge, sweet iron or copper etc....?

[fleabitten]

I would stick with it if she goes well. If it aint broke, dont fix it.

[jane]

Thanks Flea, I am tempted to go this way. I just feel a bit mean knowing that it can be a severe bit.

[solomon]

If you are thinking of a change I have just bought a neue schule training snaffle, 12mm verbinden. It is brilliant, no leaning, a very chewy bit that makes Pete really slobber! He seems much happier in this than the so-called kind eggbutt snaffle we were in.

[fleabitten]

Yeah. I was having a bit of a think after i posted that. You could change to a less severe bit i guess but i think its a lot of hassle and stress messing about with bits just to get one that is 'less severe' and you may have to change back to the one you have in at the minute anyway if she goes back to being strong. Plus i dont think its severe if its doing its job and you are handling it sympathetically.

Sensible to ask this question and think about this though Jane, good idea.

If its was me i'd just get a new bit the same as that and not bother my head thinking about other bits - too damn complicated lol!

avoid the stress ;D

[jane]

Thanks Sol, I have had a look at the neue schule bits, they look very nice but quite expensive.

have also seen this one

cotswoldsport.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65_66&products_id=196

and have also just read that the bit I currently use is considered to be relatively mild!

oh decisions... decisions.....

[solomon]

Hi again I have been told that loose ring is best for acceptance, if it is not for schooling though, the thickness is quite important. I like the look of the three ring gag with lozenge on that website. More control but choice as to how much poll pressure. I would bear in mind she has been used to copper content which helps them salivate, might find a none copper bit a big change tho'. There really are too many choices. I am lusting after the neue schule universal gag,with leather curb attachment just for hacking in but it's £50 odd soooo expensive.

[jane]

I would never use a gag, or anything that exerts poll pressure on Deb's, as she always used to hold her head too high. She has relaxed quite a lot now though, used a runnng martingale for a while because she was so bad when I first got her but we don't need this anymore.
I don't really do schooling so it is interesting what you are saying about the loose ring. I have always avoided loose rings believing that they could pinch at the sides.... I am willing to be convinced otherwise though.

[solomon]

i use bit guards on the slightly looser bit haven't noticed any evidence of pinching with the neue schule. If she does'nt run off with you I agree gag would be overkill. For a horse on the forehand one of these lozenge style bits might be well worth a try. Oh for a free bit bank.

[jane]

Oh yes a free bit bank, like a library....

[solomon]

Would be great, I now have about 5 bits and only use 2!

[jane]

I only have two, the worn one and a fulmer snaffle.

[solomon]

I gave my fulmer away! Would've been 6!

[joandlad]

Mar 23, 2010 21:44:29 GMT solomon said:

Oh for a free bit bank.

You could try here:

www.horsebitbank.com/

I looked at hiring but in the end I knew pretty much what I wanted and what Murph liked so I just bought direct from neue schule.

[zara]

As already said "if it's not broke, don't fix it" however I love the Myler comfort snaffle. AJ can be strong but is generally OK and he doesn't tolerate a single jointed bit; I use a hanging cheek comfort snaffle (without hooks) nad we are both happy with it Zx

[brigadier]

I think all bits are severe in the wrong hands and if your mare goes well in what she has then Id replace it, especially if she has improved since youve been using it, its not worth risking a relapse.

[haffyfan]

Mar 24, 2010 17:03:51 GMT brigadier said:

I think all bits are severe in the wrong hands and if your mare goes well in what she has then Id replace it, especially if she has improved since youve been using it, its not worth risking a relapse.

I would definatly agree. Not a bit fan, as many of you know, but I do like cherry rollers (and waterfords for that) as in my own experience I have found, like anything in the right hands of course, that most horses go really well in them and seem to like the movement and feel (play?) they get from the mouthpiece.

[jane]

I have pretty much decided to go for the same again, like Flea sensibly said at the beginning "if it ain't broke then don't fix it" -- wise words.

However, I do have one last question what is the difference between D rings and eggbutt sides, I think they'd probably be very similar but is this right? I have seen the bit with both these sides and wondered what the difference is?

[fleabitten]

Hi Jane,

D rings are a little bit like fulmer cheeks in that they give a bit extra help with steering than eggbutt or loose ring cheeks. the straight bit on the ring acts as corner of mouth pressure for turning. there is a horse i know with the exact same bit as Debbie and he goes very well in it too.

[jane]

Thank you Flea, I shall now trawl the net to find the least expensive.

I only have the previous bit because I bought it at a market for less than £5.... thinking if it was no good then it wasn't too much of a waste.

[fleabitten]

thats the way to do it Jane ;D

[solomon]

Theres a five inch one for sale in the new forest for £5.

[jane]

oh no Sol that would have been brilliant but I need 5 and a half inch, and that is snug.

[solomon]

Though it would be small Pete is 5 and a half too. Never mind keep hunting down the bargains.