Does my horse hate his bit?

[Sue_C.]

Im going to try without the martingale, and the different bit. I dont want to keep using the twisted wire, then get him to the point that he has to be driven in a severe bit to be responsive.

Whew, great news...because I cannot even THINK of any other bit MORE SEVERE than the one he has been started with.

Don't expect a "miracle" right away, as he has already been desensitized by the rough usage of the wrong equipment, (IMO) and it might take awhile for him to respond as quickly to the usual starter bits. PLEASE give him time to adjust...

Personally, I feel that twisted wire bits should not even be made...actually, in most disciplines, they ARE illegal in the show ring...that alone should tell you something.

 

[mydaddysjag]

Sue, He wasn't started with the twisted myler, he was only put in that for 45 days. He was in a plain snaffle before. Im hoping that in time hes fine with the french link. The twisted bit he was in wasnt as harsh as some of the "twisted wire" bits Ive seen. I cant find a picture of the exact bit he has, but its NOT this type of twisted bit:

Here is the "knock off" version of the bit he has:

 

[Sue_C.]

That is still a terribly severe bit...any twisted bit is, and I have never ever heard of a green horse being bitted with one. The only horses even the harshest trainers I have known, have used a twisted bit with, are older horses that they claim they need such bits to "re-train" the mouth on...or to "soften them up" they say...and even they wouldn't use one in conjunction with a draw rein.

Sorry, I don't know this trainer, but I cannot imagine why they felt the need for such harsh measures when starting your horse. He was likely putting his head up to avoid the pain of the sharp points of the bit on his bars and tongue, so they used the draw reins to bring it back down. OUCH!!! Horses cannot talk, it is only by their actions they can tell us something...it is up to the driver/rider to try to understand what they are trying to tell us. I am glad that you are listening...

 

[mydaddysjag]

Sue, my horse wasnt a green horse, hes an 11 year old multiple time national champion, reserve, and top 5 driving horse, hes been driving for over 8 years. When he was broke to drive, he was broke with a snaffle. He was sent to the trainer for a quick tune up.

I agree, any twisted bit is a bit harsh, just wanted to make sure you knew which bit it was, as one is MUCH harsher than the other. Also wanted to make sure I had it clear in my post that this wasnt a green horse, rather a finished driving horse getting a tune up after winter off.

 

[hobbyhorse23]

Oddly, Domingo went better in that bit with the draw reins than with regular reins.

That actually doesn't surprise me much. The draw reins were attached very high so there wasn't as much drawing or leverage action, I think instead it simply steadied the pressure the horse felt and allowed him to trust the contact more because he wasn't going to get any unexpected jerks or bumps. The rein would simply slide through the bit ring and pull his head in without actually jolting his sensitive bars.

I learned as a child that training stopped my horse not strength so the more comfortable the bit the easier it is for the horse to 'listen' to what it is saying.

Leia

 

[Sue_C.]

Sorry, I just jumped to the assumption that having been to a trainer that he was a green horse. As for the rest, I still stand by what I said; I dislike any form of twisted bit, on any horse, and combined with draw reins, like it even less, and just don't see the need.

I hope you can find the problem, and he ends up with a "happy mouth". I have far too many times seen the results of the wrong bits, and it is a much prettier picture when the correct one is found.