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Post by reinbowstables on Feb 10, 2009 19:40:00 GMT -5
I have a coming 6 year old AQHA gelding. I ride him in a snaffle bit. He does excellent in it and I don't want to change it, but I don't know if I can show him in it this year. What is the age limit for a snaffle bit at a show? I'll be showing him western pleasure. If he's too old, what is the mildest western bit I could use on him? I broke him in a side pull, could I maybe show him in a bosal? I'll still use the snaffle for trails and if I decide to run barrels with him, but I need a different one for shows. I will not use a tom thumb on him. He has a really light mouth, he works mostly off leg and seat cues anyways. Thanks, Megan
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Post by bacamonica on Feb 10, 2009 20:39:34 GMT -5
At six years old he is now considered a senior horse. When ridden western pleasure he would have to use a "one-handed" shanked bit. A bosal is not acceptable for a 6 yr old either. There are many different kinds if bits and levels, a bit is only as harsh as the hands of a rider make it. JMO  |
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Post by mec2000 on Feb 10, 2009 22:37:08 GMT -5
I second everything in the post prior to mine. But I would suggest a myler stage 1 forward tilt mullan if your barrel racing you can ride in a snaffle if your comfortable with it. Just WP has rules about bits and one handed riding. I personally love the spring loaded rorbart jr WP bit. But that would probably be way to much bit for your guy i use that I my finished horses
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Post by amandaandtuff on Feb 11, 2009 6:11:40 GMT -5
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Post by stormie on Feb 13, 2009 21:19:58 GMT -5
The first curb bit you use after a snaffle doesn't and in many cases shouldn't be the bit you show in or end up in.
For the first curb bit you want short curved shanks and a loose mouth piece. Sometimes a bit with a tad bit of gag action(like Jr Cow horse bits) are a good choice too. You want loose because the horse has a tad bit of a warning that something is going on before the curb action is used.
Many horses are okay with a single jointed mouth piece. Some don't like that so you have to go to a double jointed or something like a billy allen mouth piece. What mouth piece is going to depend on your horse. You have to do some trial and error on picking a bit.
For showing you can't use anything like the Jr Cow Horse, no gag action but you can still use looser mouth pieces. Once you get higher up in showing and get him more finished you may want to move into a more solid bit(solid mouth piece, solidly attached to the shanks) because that makes for a quieter mouth and head.
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