12 years ago
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Bits and Bridles
Here is a good set of educational videos with information, descriptions, and mechanics of horse bits.
We don't necessarily agree with using bits, in place of good horsemanship and good training, to control horses.
If you find yourself escalating to higher control-type bits, the horse may need more / better training.
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2 comments:
I'm in australia where curb bits are very rarely used except in dressage horses. I was interested to hear the presenter say the Tom Thumb is a mild curb. I would consider it a SEVERE curb as it combines both the leverage of the curb bit and the nut cracker of the snaffle. I was also interested that fixed mouth snaffles and pelham bits were not noted here. In australia we often use a fixed mouth rubber pelham for horses with very sensitive mouths. It allows you to use the soft straight snaffle action only OR if you want to engage the curb you can, but it never touches the roof of the mouth. Obviously not suited to horses with thick tongues though.
Hi Delwyn!
I agree with you. I think the Tom Thumb is relatively severe. Did you see Mark Rashid's article on the Tom Thumb?
http://www.markrashid.com/trouble_with_tom_thumb.htm
I like the mullen mouth snaffles for use with the Icelandic Horses who have low palates and other bitting problems (actually I like sidepulls better for them, but not everyone likes bitless).
Do you have any way to make a video that will tell more about the pelhams, etc.?
Judy
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