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Discussion on Heavy bit
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Member:
Cpacer
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Posted on Monday, Aug 28, 2006 - 8:03 am:
I just received a new bit in the mail that I ordered online, and it feels really heavy to me, at least much heavier than the others I've had.
Just wondering if the heaviness will have any adverse affect on my horse. Will it make him heavier, or be annoying for him to carry?
The bit is just a full-cheek snaffle made from sweet iron. It's supposed to be very easy on the mouth. Thanks!
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Member:
Hwood
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Posted on Monday, Aug 28, 2006 - 9:58 am:
Hey, cp.
Is your former bit a hollow-mouth? Is the sweet-iron mouthpiece thicker than the mouthpiece on your previous bit? I have witnessed the following effect when changing to a different/heavier bit . . . the horses placed their faces more on the vertical as if to take the extra pressure off of the corners of their lips, their bars, and tongue . . . but as they got used to the feel and got comfortable with how to hold it in their mouths, they returned to their previous ways of going. One thing is certain for me . . . the change in bits didn't change the horse's behavior . . . but when I went learned about training horses to respond to the lightest pressure, that's when I started getting more obedient and happy horses.
The sweet iron full-cheek sounds like a good bit, and if you are going from a stainless steel full-cheek to a sweet iron, then your horse may like the flavor better.
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Member:
Cpacer
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Posted on Monday, Aug 28, 2006 - 11:17 am:
We're actually coming off of using the Bitless bridle, but previously used a D-ring snaffle with some copper rollers on it that I think may have been hollow too (it was really light). I heard that copper doesn't taste very good and figured my horse graduated from the rollers so I got the new one with full-cheek that my mentors use (not sure how heavy their's are though).
The Bitless was fine for trail riding, but my trainer felt it didn't give as quickly as it should when pressure was released so my horse got frustrated when his response wasn't reciprocated.
He is very light right now and I don't want to loose that. We're always on a loose rein and have not yet practiced collection, other than when doing lateral-type lessons (I think).
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