What bit did you use to back your youngster?

[vels mum]

Vel will be lightly backed this summer, Ive just bought a 6" french link snaffle as thats what he was using towards the end of last summer for his in-hand walks, seemed to like it ok however he is very strong when he wants to be!

He has taken a massive growsth spurt lately, upwards and outwards, bulking up nicely but when he pulls in his headcollar he just about pulls me off my feet.

So im interested to know what bit you used to back your youngsters in and why you used it?

Im currently thinking if his french link snaffle is not enough I may try a french link hanging cheek, or eggbutt snaffle but not sure about the nutrcracker action.

He is quite a lot of horse now and when he puff out with excitment I wonder how the hell I will control him!!!!! :confused:

[BEX101]

i've always used something with a "bit of play in it" like a french link. I did have straightbar with keys on but its only a small size so not used it on many. I've got a sweet iron french link too, which was good as it seemed to keep their jaw nice and relaxed and they never "set" themselves against it. I have used rubber bits in the past but i found they tended to chew lumps out of it (because they were mouthing) and its not a habit i want to encourage.

[IcarusGirl]

I'd stick to the french link myself. Have you been/are you going to do lots of long reining before he's backed? By doing that it will teach him the meaning of brakes a bit. I wouldnt like to skip straight to a stronger snaffle as soon as he is backed, because he will not be strong just to be disobedient or naughty, it will probably be more that he just doesnt understand what you are asking him. Lots of long reining will get him relaxed and respecting the bit, and understanding what the aids mean.

(ignore all this if i'm telling you everything you already know! :lol:)

[black crow]

Ive always used either eggbut snaffles or french links for the start. If need be, i will use a roller or a keyed bit, but i prefer sticking to simple bits if possible.

[lozy]

French link happy mouth full cheek.

[CityLights]

I tend to start off in a happy mouth often one with a peanut and see how they go in that, i like loose rings and double jointed bits not a fan or single joints and nut crakcers at all

Kizzie then went into a myler comfort snaffle with cheeks for help with turning and she has a very small mouth and low roof to her mouth so the myelr was good for her being slim and jointless without having no feel in them at all like alot of strightbar snaffles

i would sitkc to the french link for a while even if its just for the ground work and see how you go in that

warm metal bits such as sweet iron salox copper etc are good for them if they are very tight in the jaw and dont settle the same but be careful with them all as they will start to get sharp edges the same with happy mouths or soft rubber bits if they chew them alot, im not a fan of keyed or roller bits as some hroses will faff and play with them too much and you get a very fussy and gobby horse and im not a fan of them at all,

[Tiaki]

I don't if it is a horse for me, I stick to bitless but if it's a horse to sell on, I use a rubber mullen mouth loose ring, nice in the mouth, very soft.

xxx

[cocopops]

We always use cheeked bits, assists with steering. We usually use one with a lozenge, but also have a straight happymouth, rubber single jointed and normal single jointed.

[Sasca]

i like as movable bits as possible or completly straight. I start off without the bit for most of the training process. A bit with side reins but steering etc off the nose so that when the bit gets used, they are very sensitive to it.

I like full cheeks as its hlps them get steering to a que. French link is good but if you want strong, some work well with jointed but they are not my favourite.

[fougere]

First off, I used a sweet mouth with eggbut style rings, I was worried about loose rings pinching his lips. The mouthpiece was very fine and I was concerned about doing much work in it because I felt it could be severe if used strongly.
I moved on to a half-cheeked loose ring snaffle, but he really disliked the cheeks.
So I very quickly went on to a hollow mouth eggbutt snaffle as the mouthpiece has a big diameter. He's been going happily in that ever since.

[My Crazy Clan]

I actually hate anything with the keys or things they can "play" with, I believe this gives them more of a chance to play/bite etc on the bit rather them accepting it.

I have always used and egg butt snaffle, I will not use the ones with lose rings, these have a tenancy to pinch the horses mouths.

Also I don't like the straight bars, I would rather have something so bends with their mouth as so to speak for them to get used to it.

[XenaWarriorPrincess]

Xanth was started in a straight bar with keys, she had been shown in a nylon straight bar and a loose ring jointed snaffle so was used to a bit but it used a keyed bit to reinforce that.
She then went into a french link fulmer, which has really helped with her steering.
Im currently trying to find her another one as she is being a bit fussy with it although she mouths it nicely.
My boss has been riding her in a ring bit but im not too keen on using it as i know it wont be dressage legal and i cant use it to show in!!

[vels mum]

XWP - Can you get a french link fulmar snaffle? I actually looked for such a thing on ebay but couldnt find one so presumed there was no such thing!
Turk is in a fulmar and I really like them as they sit so well in the mouth.
Ive just got Vel a 6" french link loose ring with the rubber rings at the side to prevent pinching so will see how we go with that.
Sov - I totally agree with your style! These are also the types of bits I have ever worked with.

[XenaWarriorPrincess]

Yep! Ive got one for xanth although as per post further down im thinking of changing it! I got mine off ebay!
x

[amandaco]

i use either a happy mouth mullen, then a NS starter bit.
may use full cheek if there are steering issues.
then progress to the NS join up bit.

[Smurf]

Vinnie is in a NS starter bit. He seems to like it, mouthing all the time. If this goes well i think i'll progress to a Myler

[CityLights]

XWP - Can you get a french link fulmar snaffle? I actually looked for such a thing on ebay but couldnt find one so presumed there was no such thing!
.

if your sturggling to find bits on Ebay there is a shop called i think Roos Equestrain, they seem to have every single type of bit you can think of, ive bought quite a few off them in the past and they are really good to deal with

[emma-louise]

When my Desmond was broken in they used a full cheek snaffle , my ex yard owner told me this was cause the long bars helped steer them, i dont no if this is true? When i carried on with the yard i used to be at a haffy x ,mare that had lightly been backed i used an eggbut snaffle on her and that seemed to work really well xx