Re: [IceHorses] Which Bit?
On 3/4/07, pippa258 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Thanks, Steph! Are you still doing the freestyle musical in Tryon? My friend I travel with got hurt and is out for at least 6 more weeks, so we've not planned anything for sure. I think I'm still going to do the Tuesday night schooling series this summer, I might bring students, too! Steph -- "Brutality begins where skill ends." "Correctly understood, work at the lunge line is indispensable for rider and horse from the very beginning through the highest levels." Von Niendorff
Re: [IceHorses] Which Bit?
use a french link on Stigandi. He likes it better than any bit I have > used on him. His is sweet iron on the outer pieces and copper in the > middle. This is the bit I use on Doppa and she really likes it - I bought it from Eileen at Dunne & Krum and it was very reasonable - around $35.00 if I remember correctly. I tried several on her before this one and she just wasn't happy with them. It does have the O-ring but it hasn't been a problem because she is very soft in this bit and it just stays where it's supposed to. -- Laree
RE: [IceHorses] Which Bit?
>>> I use a french link on Stigandi. I use French links more than any other bit too. Karen Thomas, NC -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.6/709 - Release Date: 3/3/2007 8:12 AM
Re: [IceHorses] Which Bit?
I use a french link on Stigandi. He likes it better than any bit I have used on him. His is sweet iron on the outer pieces and copper in the middle. I think it has o-rings but I would have to look to be sure. I bought it from an Icelandic breeder from Kentucky (I think) at Equine Affaire in Ohio several years ago. He used to fight the regular snaffle (two pieces) but he is very soft with this bit. Unless I go bitless I won't be changing with him. I did buy a "pinchless" bit from Brenda Imus last year. But Stigandi did not like it so I went back to his french link. I have found my morab (very flighty mare) like the TTeam bit I bought from Linda way back in 1991.I don't know if they have changed them since then or not. But I noticed a change in her carriage the first time I used it on her. It does not make her braver but she carries her head much lower than with any other bit I have used on her. Sherrel
Re: [IceHorses] Which Bit?
> > If you're ever in Gastonia Trish you can come borrow some bits from > me. I have about 10 I loan out, most of them are duplicates that I > purchased to leave with clients. > > Steph > Thanks, Steph! Are you still doing the freestyle musical in Tryon? Trish
Re: [IceHorses] Which Bit?
On 3/3/07, Karen Thomas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I don't think they are milder; but I don't think there's too much > difference. I bought the ones I have because I was able to find the short > shanked ones (called "Tom Thumb Pelhams" - Susan at Saddle Up has them) in > difference widths, and I was having trouble finding the plain mullen mouth > snaffles in various sizes. I import them regularly. Would be happy to do so at cost for list members. Normally they're around $50 a piece, but that is dependent on exchange rates to GB. I have found 4.5, 4.75, and 5 avaliable in the states for $25, but I like the design of the European ones better. The mouthpiece is more curved like the Pelham mouth. And, we did have a Mullen shaped Happy Mouth. None of the horses liked it and I sold it several years ago. I like the metal mullens or double jointed happy mouths, the mullen happy mouths are just too thick. If you're ever in Gastonia Trish you can come borrow some bits from me. I have about 10 I loan out, most of them are duplicates that I purchased to leave with clients. Steph -- "Brutality begins where skill ends." "Correctly understood, work at the lunge line is indispensable for rider and horse from the very beginning through the highest levels." Von Niendorff
RE: [IceHorses] Which Bit?
Thanks, Karen! Why are the mullen Pelhams milder than a plain mullen? I don't think they are milder; but I don't think there's too much difference. I bought the ones I have because I was able to find the short shanked ones (called "Tom Thumb Pelhams" - Susan at Saddle Up has them) in difference widths, and I was having trouble finding the plain mullen mouth snaffles in various sizes. If you have the Lee Ziegler book, she explains why a mullen mouth Kimberwicke or a mullen mouth Pelhan (essentially the same bit) can have a SUBTLE effect on the gait a horse does. >>> Do the longer sidebars act like a full cheek but without the snag potential? Do you just leave the smaller bottom rings unattached to reins? Yes, I just left the lower ring free. At first I wasn't sure how it would work, but it was fine. I asked Lee Ziegler about that specifically a few years ago and she said it was fine - just looks a little odd maybe. At the moment, I'm not using that bit on anyone, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it again. I don't think you have as much snag potential with the Pelham as with the full cheeks, since the unused part of the Pelham points down. >>> Why the D-rings over eggbutts? Milder? I'm not sure there's any difference in mildness. I think the flat part of the D makes it a little harder for the horse to get the bit through his/her mouth, which is very easy with a loose-ring. But, honestly, I haven't had that problem in ages. Holly learned to do it years ago, and it was a hard habit to break, so I just never want to take a chance on going there again. It's just a quirk of mine, from a mistake I made. Karen Thomas, NC -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.5/707 - Release Date: 3/1/2007 2:43 PM
Re: [IceHorses] Which Bit?
Karen Thomas wrote: > I do have a couple of mullen-mouth snaffles which I have used at times - > not happy mouths - and a couple of mullen-mouth short-shanked pelhams. The > Pelhams are actually pretty mild, just slight poll pressure, especially if > you only use the reins on the snaffle ring and ride with only light contact. > Thanks, Karen! Why are the mullen Pelhams milder than a plain mullen? The same site I'm looking at has mullen Pelhams as well. Do the longer sidebars act like a full cheek but without the snag potential? Do you just leave the smaller bottom rings unattached to reins? > The full-cheeks are the hardest to slip through, but they can be weapons if > the horse slings his head and happens to catch a person. I've seen the full cheeks slip through with a trainer. Luckily the horse just stood there quietly till she fixed it but it could have been nasty. > Overall, I guess I prefer d-rings, followed by eggbutts. Why the D-rings over eggbutts? Milder? Thanks, Trish
Re: [IceHorses] Which Bit?
pippa258 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: I'm looking for a gentle bit and remember mullen mouth being mentioned but not sure which type - loose ring, D-ring or eggbutt? Do the end rings matter?I've found a happy mouth mullen eggbutt and loose ring. The mouthpiece is not solid smooth like a metal mullen but has two raised "bumps" evenly spaced apart in the middle of the bit. This seems common for the happy mouth as I haven't been able to find a solid smooth bit. Are these "bumps" okay or would it be better to find a smooth mouthpiece Hi Trish, I use to use a snaffle bit and my horses were ok with it, then I try a french link bit and my horses were much happier with the french link. A french link bit is a 3 pc mout it can have a dog bone or a half moon shape in the middle of the bit. A snaffle is kind of like a nut cracker, ex: if you put a snaffle on your elbow and pull the rings back it pinches, then you do the same thing with a french link does not pinch. This want your horse feels in his mouth. The bit you are talking about with the bumps I don't care for, I rather go with a smooth mouth piece. ANything with bumps would be ruff to the mouth. Do you have any photos of the this you are talking about? Anne
RE: [IceHorses] Which Bit?
>>> I've found a happy mouth mullen eggbutt and loose ring. The mouthpiece is not solid smooth like a metal mullen but has two raised "bumps" evenly spaced apart in the middle of the bit. This seems common for the happy mouth as I haven't been able to find a solid smooth bit. Are these "bumps" okay or would it be better to find a smooth mouthpiece? I have one of those "bumped" Happy Mouth mullen bits, and the bumps are pretty noticeable. For that reason, I've never actually tried it. The bit looks pretty thick, without much room for tongue relief. Sorry, no first hand experience, but I share your concern. I do have a couple of mullen-mouth snaffles which I have used at times - not happy mouths - and a couple of mullen-mouth short-shanked pelhams. The Pelhams are actually pretty mild, just slight poll pressure, especially if you only use the reins on the snaffle ring and ride with only light contact. I don't like loose ring snaffles because they can pinch when worn...and if you have a horse who's not yet trained to flex and bend, the horse can quickly learn to open his mouth and let the bit slide through, an annoying habit. That's not necessarily a problem if the horse is nicely trained though. The full-cheeks are the hardest to slip through, but they can be weapons if the horse slings his head and happens to catch a person. I had a t-shirt sleeve ripped by one once, but that's not so likely if you use bit-keepers. Overall, I guess I prefer d-rings, followed by eggbutts. Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
