Comments on: Signs You Have the Wrong English Bit

By: tabytha

tabytha — Thu, 31 May 2012 10:32:11 +0000

I just started my 5 year old standardbred and i use a french link snaffle, he sometimes is really good with it and sometimes is just really chompy. its only been his 11th ride with it, and im just wondering if this means hes still just getting used to it or what.
by the way he is a very impatient horse as well, his father was that way haha.
also is there a good technique to get him to know how to turn when i turn him and listen when pull left or right on the reins, hes amazing at the stop lol

By: Tammy

Tammy — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 12:34:07 +0000

I use a 3 piece Dr. Bristol on my horse in training and he accepts it well. I get a good head set on him and his mouth is quiet. Is a Dr. Bristol harsh on their mouth? What should I be using but stay soft on his mouth. I would like to keep him soft as I am working him hunter under saddle.

By: Eliza

Eliza — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 05:00:12 +0000

I have an eleven yr ol norweigian fjord. I want to ride her in english and saddle seat classes, but i cant find a bit that can get through to her. i have very soft aids and i hate kicking her and tugging on her to make her go. i currently ride her in a jointed kimberwick and a straight bar pelham. I have tryed other bits like a full cheek snaffle and some western curb bits. nothing seems to work. help!!!

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:35:11 +0000

I only ride in snaffle bits and my horses are fine. I hate seeing horses with harsh bits in their mouths with riders that are rough on the horses mouth. Then they wonder why their horse is sour. But I do agree some horses need a slightly stronger bit.

By: Cindy Hale

Cindy Hale — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:38:02 +0000

Julie:
You are correct that typically a French link is milder in design than a Dr. Bristol. However, they both feature a center link that avoids hitting the palate of a horse’s mouth, which was the reason for mentioning them together. I hope that clarifies any confusion.

By: Jenn

Jenn — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:18:26 +0000

Good article and great points, what about sidepulls and hackamores?

By: Cat

Cat — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:04:48 +0000

This is a great article… I would like to see something on getting your horse ready for jumping…

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 18:40:03 +0000

Don’t let tack problems get between you and your horse. By Cindy Hale. I read this article with great interest then was shocked at the staement that a Dr. Bristol and a french link are one and the same. The two bits could not be further apart. A French link is a gentle bit and a Dr. Bristol is a much stronger bit. Please check text before things go to print?

By: stephanie salomone

stephanie salomone — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 23:49:13 +0000

good artical. i would like to see an artical on trainning the green horse the proper hunter head set. we are having so much trouble with this.

By: leslie

leslie — Thu, 17 May 2007 12:23:26 +0000

Well written, easy to understand. My horse was fine with a simple jointed snaffle till she figured out she could run away with my grandaughter. Now she tries it with me…was looking for suggestions to help remedy this issue