DRIVING BITS???
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Nathan Luszcz
Well-Known Member
I use a single jointed half-cheek snaffle, just cause its the traditional driving bit and it seems to work with my horse
I've never had reason to change, so I haven't really looked at alternatives.
normajeanbaker
Well-Known Member
My horses work VERY well in a French Link snaffle. They seem much more comfy in this then a single jointed bit. I've got one who has a smaller mouth and I couldn't get a french link in her size, so I got her the Myler comfort snaffle and she really likes it. She hated the single jointed snaffle, but works quite well in the myler bit.
Every horse we start goes in the French Link snaffle. We used to start them in a regular snaffle, but after getting a French Link, I no longer use a regular snaffle. Every horse here who is wearing a bridle(we've got 6 going right now) prefers the french link. We also have the Myler Comfort snaffle for one of them and she likes it...tried it on the other 5 and they hated it. All 6 of them have soft mouths.
~Jen~
Every horse we start goes in the French Link snaffle. We used to start them in a regular snaffle, but after getting a French Link, I no longer use a regular snaffle. Every horse here who is wearing a bridle(we've got 6 going right now) prefers the french link. We also have the Myler Comfort snaffle for one of them and she likes it...tried it on the other 5 and they hated it. All 6 of them have soft mouths.
~Jen~
miniexpress has mullens, french link, and mylar look alike bits and gladly ship overseas
but if you want the best i think a mylar (they make mullens if thats what you're after) for that try estate tack
but if you want the best i think a mylar (they make mullens if thats what you're after) for that try estate tack
Katie Iceton
Well-Known Member
A loose Ring Snaffle, really simple, and my horse loves it!
For miniatures, it is going to be hard to beat Myler driving bits(many of the other better makers simply don't make bits in sizes to fit miniatures...). I just don't know about the Myler 'knockoffs'; have seen pics of one that broke, and it looked very poorly made-out of thin and insubstantial material, with resulting SHARP edges....they may be fine, they may not? I have seen them for as low as under $20, and for around $40---have no idea if those're the 'same' bits, or whether there is more than one producer of the knockoffs? I need a bit for my 38" mare-she had liked each one I've tried better than the last, but still isn't 100% happy, so I've been closely observing her responses, and studying bit types, and have decided to order her a Myler(and have been saving up toward it!) with a particular mouthpiece. I have two Mylers, bought some years ago at AMHA Nationals, for a discount(available NO MORE; the other dealers made sure of that after that year....
They are the Comfort snaffle and the E 32 Mullen w/ barrel--and they are the two best choices I could have made,getting 'only' two!--the first is perfect for the beginner driving horses, after they learn to accept a bit by carrying the eggbutt; the second has worked very well on EVERY horse I have that drives(but of course, isn't wide enough for the bigger mare!)
A friend who ordered the Myler book and DVD loaned it to me; so far, I've only read the book, but the philosophy is very interesting and definitely 'food for thought'. Kind of opposite to what you might have thought, IMO....
I will say that the more I learn, the less enthusiasm I have for 'standard' single link broken mouthpieces. The ones that 'come with' most harness should be tossed, IMO-they have big, coarse, joints in the middle, and where the mouthpiece joins the cheekpieces is likely to pinch, on all of that type I've seen...I do have some that are made much better, and the horses seem 'OK' with those, but one wonders how much better they might be w/ something else? ( I would LOVE to own a whole 'collection' of Mylers, but they are so pricey, it is hard(for me, at least!) to afford a 'selection' of them....would if I could, though!)
A properly chosen Myler would definitely be my recommendation. If getting something else, then I'd look for: non-pinch cheeks, well-made and sturdy but refined 'jointing', if either a single link OR a true french link, and NO solid copper mouthpieces(copper may be TOO acidic, and is too soft; it will become abraded and worn, and/or have sharp edges, in many cases--this I know from experience!) Sweet iron is a great mouthpiece material, but I have yet to see it available in miniature horse bits, so stainless is next best. Because I have a catalog, I do know that Ozark Mt.(in addition to Estate) also carries some genuine Myler bits; other suppliers of mini tack may, also. You probably won't find any price breaks(at least, I surely haven't, and I've been LOOKING!), but I like to do business w/ those who have shown themselves to be 'friends' of the Forum and the Rescue....and will, if I can.
Margo
A friend who ordered the Myler book and DVD loaned it to me; so far, I've only read the book, but the philosophy is very interesting and definitely 'food for thought'. Kind of opposite to what you might have thought, IMO....
I will say that the more I learn, the less enthusiasm I have for 'standard' single link broken mouthpieces. The ones that 'come with' most harness should be tossed, IMO-they have big, coarse, joints in the middle, and where the mouthpiece joins the cheekpieces is likely to pinch, on all of that type I've seen...I do have some that are made much better, and the horses seem 'OK' with those, but one wonders how much better they might be w/ something else? ( I would LOVE to own a whole 'collection' of Mylers, but they are so pricey, it is hard(for me, at least!) to afford a 'selection' of them....would if I could, though!)
A properly chosen Myler would definitely be my recommendation. If getting something else, then I'd look for: non-pinch cheeks, well-made and sturdy but refined 'jointing', if either a single link OR a true french link, and NO solid copper mouthpieces(copper may be TOO acidic, and is too soft; it will become abraded and worn, and/or have sharp edges, in many cases--this I know from experience!) Sweet iron is a great mouthpiece material, but I have yet to see it available in miniature horse bits, so stainless is next best. Because I have a catalog, I do know that Ozark Mt.(in addition to Estate) also carries some genuine Myler bits; other suppliers of mini tack may, also. You probably won't find any price breaks(at least, I surely haven't, and I've been LOOKING!), but I like to do business w/ those who have shown themselves to be 'friends' of the Forum and the Rescue....and will, if I can.
Margo
Shari
Well-Known Member
Of all the bits out there the Myler is the best for mini horses. One of the main issues I see with the average mini bit, is the bit itself, is much too thick to be comfortable to a minis mouth.
Myler is the only one I have tried that has a proper thickness, well balanced and can get any width you want.
Very spendy but well worth it to have a non pinching bit that your mini likes.
I have two,,the comfort snaffle and the mullen ported barrel half cheek. The later one is the one Maggie likes the best. Has the most tounge relief.
After they are broken to drive by halter first and are doing very well with that..then they moved onto the comfort snaffle. Use the comfort snaffle on all the beginner horses.
:bgrin
H.Spennger does have mini bits but they are even more spendy and very hard to find.
Myler is the only one I have tried that has a proper thickness, well balanced and can get any width you want.
Very spendy but well worth it to have a non pinching bit that your mini likes.
I have two,,the comfort snaffle and the mullen ported barrel half cheek. The later one is the one Maggie likes the best. Has the most tounge relief.
After they are broken to drive by halter first and are doing very well with that..then they moved onto the comfort snaffle. Use the comfort snaffle on all the beginner horses.
:bgrin
H.Spennger does have mini bits but they are even more spendy and very hard to find.
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