Any Reason To Change?

[MajorClementine]

My 4yo mare, Clementine, wen to driving training last spring. I am so happy with her training and how she is doing with me. Just a coupe of things I had a question about. She was trained in and goes really well in a basic half cheek snaffle bit. I know there are tons of bits out there but if she responds well to this bit is there any reason to eventually move her to a different bit? And, if so, what are the reasons behind this. Clementine is my first experience with driving horses.

Also, she was trained with an overcheck. I have been using it when driving her until the last few drives. Those drives, without the overcheck, she tries to snag food as we walk and tends to toss her head around a lot more. I have the overcheck pretty lose but I am not loving her behavior without it. I know a lot of people on here don't use them but is there any reason not to if she behaves better in it? It is lose enough that she can drop her head to pull hard if she needs but won't allow her to get her nose to the ground.

 

[Reignmaker Miniatures]

No, there is absolutely no reason to change your bit. As long as she goes well in it and is happy and responsive to it then she can use the same bit all her driving career. And if she seems at some point in the future to develop issues with it you would first want to check the bit to be sure it wasn't cracked or something and so bothering her, and check her teeth to be sure that is not the problem. Only after ruling out changes to her or the equipment would you need to question your bit.

As far as the check goes, there is no absolute reason you must take it off but if she were my horse I would make a real concerted effort train her to work with out it. Horses (IMO) learn self carriage best when they have nothing but the drivers hands and their own forward energy to collect them, the check often creates a 'false collection' and when it is removed the horse really doesn't know where to put their head and so the whole body (and with it the mind) becomes disengaged. -- that isn't explained very well I'm afraid, but hopefully you will understand the point I was trying to make-- If you have the option maybe you could switch to a loose side check for a time before trying again to go checkless. A verbal correction and good contact can go a long ways to helping get them past needing a check to prevent eating but there are always a few horses who are really determined to eat when they have no check.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I changed to a french link after driving for several years in the regular snaffle. I could tell immediately that Dapper Dan was much happier and more responsive. IMO it is worth a try as a nice french link bit is not that expensive.

If you are not able to keep her from snatching without the check, I would put it back on and perhaps tighten it a little--you said it was very loose. In my experience, it would only take one or two snatches and she would cure herself. It is a VERY annoying habit. I did not nip that in the bud when I first started driving Dapper Dan, because I didn't have this forum and didn't know any better, and I have paid for it ever since. We drive checkless, but any time he tries to fall back into that habit, I will put the check back on. That's just my two cents.

Do not let her eat while you are leading or any time you are working. It's a very bad habit to break.

I know a very good trainer who never drives without a check. She believes it gives the horse parameters, and that is a good thing. So, there are lots of opinions.

It's been fun to read of your progress with Clementine!

 

[jeanniecogan]

When i was training Charlie last year the trainer told me she used a check. i continued for a while with it, but it was ugly, and he gave me no reason to think he needed it. i took it off andafter a couple rides he started to try to eat grass also. i tightened my contact with his mouth and every time he tried to reach down i wiggled the bit . it's hard to explain, i was very gentle but tweaked one side of the bit and then the other. it was enough to get his attention and stop his action. now it happens less and less. you might want to try that,. good luck.