Favorite bit for starting youngsters?

[luvmydutch]

Hey everyone, I plan on starting getting my 2 y/o filly into a bit in a few weeks once she has her teeth done. I was wondering what brand/type of bits are your favorites for starting babies? I have a KK aurigan but it seems like an awfully thick bit for a baby mouth...was also considering a happy mouth french link. Any advice or suggestions would be very greatly appreciated :)

[AdivaStud]

All our youngsters start off in the Neue Schule Starter Bit....

http://www.neueschulebits.com/acatalog/copy_of_Snaffles.html

They all seem to love it!

[dressurpferd01]

KK Ultra-soft with the rubber coating on the bean in the middle.

[LauraKY]

Full check snaffle. OTTBs and youngsters. Gives them encouragement to turn, keeps bit from sliding through their mouth. Get a really thick one. Only once had a problem and started him with a hackamore, but honestly next time, I will use a halter and lead rope or a bosal.

[MCarverS]

Both bits suggested above are great options! We usually use a french link snaffle to start ours in or sometimes a french link full cheek if they need some help steering.

[luvmydutch]

Which brands of the french link or full cheek do you guys prefer? Links please :)

[luvmydutch]

Would my HS KK aurigan loose ring be acceptable? It has a regular bean, not the rubber coated bean.

[retrofit]

Ditto on the full cheek snaffle.

I am not a huge fan of double-jointed bits for breaking babies. I feel the rein aids are less clear and they can encourage a horse to be too fussy in the mouth.

Once the horse is w/t/c in a good rhythm, steering, halting, and accepting a light floating contact with a reasonably quiet, unfussy mouth - feel free to do the bit dance. Until then, keep it simple & clear so they learn more easily.

(I also don't add a flash until that point as well.)

[TKR]

I always use the KK aurigan -- they chew on it and like the taste and it's very
gentle to their delicate mouths. I would be sure the bit fits well -- you want it to
be *somewhat* thick for comfort, but size and thickness should be assessed for the individual.
PennyG

[Daydream Believer]

I prefer a Fulmer snaffle....very stable in their mouth, with full cheeks and a ring that is actually separate from the cheek piece. It's the same bit the Spanish Riding School uses for young horses. I will occasionally use a mullen mouth but I generally avoid the bean type or KK style bits for babies first being bitted. I find them too "busy" for most babies and they really are more advanced bits with the double joint.

[MCarverS]

I'm sure that it is fine, I just try to make sure that it has a medium weight, double joint and isn't too too thick. Our french links are simple French Links (http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-0153&bhcd2=1267538383) found on Dover.

Interestingly though, I used to think that the lighter the bit, the softer, however while I was in England riding, the thinking was that a medium weight bit was better because it gave a more constant contact in the horse's mouth and therefore wouldn't come as a surprise when the rein aid was applied.

[Signature]

We like a D or full cheek plain snaffle. I like to use rubber but have found that it's too thick for their mouth sometimes and can be distracting for them or encourage chewing and playing. All of our adult horses go in a rubber or Happy Mouth D. :)

[eniskerry]

I prefer a Fulmer snaffle....very stable in their mouth, with full cheeks and a ring that is actually separate from the cheek piece.

I second this recommendation.

[Arcadien]

Full check snaffle. OTTBs and youngsters. Gives them encouragement to turn, keeps bit from sliding through their mouth. Get a really thick one. Only once had a problem and started him with a hackamore, but honestly next time, I will use a halter and lead rope or a bosal.

Another vote for Full Cheek, simple snaffle. 'KISS' is the rule with babies! :yes:

Regular cavesson noseband, and a standing martingale, adjusted very long - isn't seen much in dressage but IMHO it can help the clueless youngster keep the head in the general proper vicinity and protect your face in case of a sudden baby head fling moment.

Have fun!

[Mozart]

I like a full cheek mouthing bit with keys. Not for the very first bit but once they have had a bit in their mouth a few times I switch to the mouthing bit.

[DMK]

full cheek or big D for all the reasons above (or a loose ring with bit guards). I just start with a plain old thin snaffle. Years ago I subscribed to that big hollow mouth snaffle fad (yeah, we are talking the 80's here) but it's just physically TOO MUCH BIT for a young horse and I've kept to that idea ever since. Keep it simple, keep it so it has obvious direct can't-mistake-what-you-are-asking kind of directions and it's a lot easier for any greenie. Later I might play around with the bit I think suits them more - this usually comes down to a happy mouth mullen mouth, a wide barrel comfort snaffle, a double jointed snaffle of some type or another or a plain old snaffle, depending on their palate (low/normal) and under tack persona (backed off introvert or social greeter or general overall go getter) ;)

But I think we all have a few bits that we like and the work for us. That doesn't mean that someone else's choice, in their hands isn't going to work equally well.

[DeucesWild11]

As far as brands go, I love love love mylar, and I love anything with copper in it. :)

[paddles]

The Golden Wing snaffle. These bits are 14mm, come in both "french link" and broken snaffle loose ring. The wings lie against the cheek with no joints to pinch. The wing takes the full cheek or D's indirect rein effect to the next level. Made in Stübbens 'sweet copper'.

[luvmydutch]

Oh I really like the gold wings snaffle...but do they make it in a single jointed? Would most of you agree that the single jointed snaffle is preferable to double jointed for a youngster?

[Rhyadawn]

Copper roller. Either D or full cheek, whichever is going to fit their mouth (I have a 4 3/4, and 5 1/4 in the D, and a 5 in the fullcheek).

[back in the saddle]

I like the Fulmer Bit. It's chunky and the cheeks can't pinch the lips.

[Fairview Horse Center]

We usually use just a moderately fat loose ring, but I like the Stainless steel. The other metals are irritating to the mouth tissues.

[scribbles]

I 4th the fulmer snaffle... especially if you can find one of the "old style" ones that has that bit of a heavier feel to it.

[kookicat]

Full cheek mullen mouth. I use stainless steel, because I've had a few horses react badly to copper.

[Bravestrom]

My three year old and four year old are just being started - ground work at the moment - because of their size - both are over 17hh - the three year old is 17.3hh.

I am using a happy mouth mullen mouth - rubber bit. Both are lunging and long lining with it. I don't want any bit pressure on their roof - I just want them to feel the contact of something in their mouth and that they feel half halts and just want the backward pressure.

They will go to french links after this.

[dilligaff2]

I also started my filly in the Happy Mouth Mullen. I found it the best bit to put in her mouth just to carry around. Plus, while she was learning to take the bit, there wasn't any worry about banging her teeth with metal.

Once she is under saddle, we will be switching to a full cheek to help with the steering issues :)

[EqTrainer]

I prefer a Fulmer snaffle....very stable in their mouth, with full cheeks and a ring that is actually separate from the cheek piece. It's the same bit the Spanish Riding School uses for young horses. I will occasionally use a mullen mouth but I generally avoid the bean type or KK style bits for babies first being bitted. I find them too "busy" for most babies and they really are more advanced bits with the double joint.

Me, too. Love them.

Be sure to use keepers, babies sure do sling their heads around a lot.

I would never use a loose ring to start, too much noise.

[Daydream Believer]

Gayle...yes I use keepers too. Good point to mention.

[sspeight]

We usually use just a moderately fat loose ring, but I like the Stainless steel. The other metals are irritating to the mouth tissues.

:yes: This is what I've always used with babies and I haven't had any problems.

[lauriep]

Plain ole rubber D.