Which bit to bit a youngster

[Wishiwasrich]

We have a very small PBW (11hh) that i am wanting to bit. Which bit would you suggest? she will be 4" or 4.25 max.

[xxshowponyxx]

I always use a little magic bit (straight bar with a very small port) that I wrap with bit wrap to mouth and then start lunging in, (never lunging off the bit though) these seem to come in the smallest sizes.

I then consider going on to a jointed snaffle once we start long reining etc - but TBH at that point I try and make a decision based on each individual and how it is going and what I think it would like.

Personally I am not a fan of mouthing bits with keys on as I feel the 'warm' metals and bit wraps do the same job, but the most important thing is go with what makes your pony happy in her mouth.

[clarasdream]

Try the snaffle nathe bit, it's really soft and deffo worth the little extra money x

[sarahp]

I like to start them in a bit that will encourage mouthing so is flexible - normally a double jointed snaffle.

[Kaseyleigh]

I would start with a breaking bit with keys please don't put a normal bit straight in your ponies mouth I break horses and school them for a living so please start with this bit you will have a nice soft mouth and plenty of mouthing on it let her just play with the keys just put in on in the stable an leave her with it for 20 mins just messing with it do that for a week and you will see a massive difference every day.

[sarahp]

I sometimes put a dab of golden syrup or the like on the bit the first time to encourage mouthing as well. I haven't broken anything like the number dubshee obviously has, but they do need to learn to mouth the bit and be soft in it and there is no encouragement to do this in a straight bar bit. Most of my bitting nowadays is for showing in hand and I really hate those dead straight nylon bits usually used - all mine are bitted and shown in a double jointed snaffle.

[GinaGeo]

I used a mouthing bit with keys when I started my youngster and then once we started long lining I used a loose ring with a copper lozenge. He's still in that now, and it's what I used when I restarted him in Easter after his winter off. He's got a lovely soft mouth.

[carrie17491]

i use a french link with copper rollers, the copper warms up in their mouth and encourages her to mouth. She loves it and she was bitted at 2 but i will be bitting my colt in the next month or 2 (he is a yearling) as he is very strong and bites in hand, so hecan chomp the bit instead of me

[Kaseyleigh]

i do mine at 3yrs old

[GinaGeo]

Mine was bitted as a three year old.

[sarahp]

Normally as a 3yo as a preclude to breaking, but if required for showing it will be bitted ready for that. In our case that will be colts from yearlings upwards doing breed classes, and anything doing a BEF Futurity.

[nici]

We normally bit as 3yos too. I like to start off with loose ring FL snaffles.

Wishiwasrich have you measured your pony's mouth? We have a diddy PBW who takes a tiny 3.5" bit...!

[carrie17491]

May 22, 2012 12:34:34 GMT nici said:

.

Wishiwasrich have you measured your pony's mouth? We have a diddy PBW who takes a tiny 3.5" bit...!

Was just thinking this, my 14hh PBW takes a 4.5 bit, so you should measure

[showingfanatic]

I like the fulmer with keys as it gives them something to have a play with

[Jessica]

We use straight bar or jointed with keys (prefer the jointed, but sometimes not enough room for it with the keys in little welshie mouths!) our colts are normally bitted as yearlings ready for inhand showing.

[flo1]

If you're unable to assess the shape/conformation of the pony's mouth yourself, it would be best to ask the advice of an equine dentist, better that than having to buy different bits until you find one that suits

[LucyHebditch]

All the ponies I have backed or ridden away were never started with a mouthing bit with keys. They all had neue schule loose ring, French link snaffles and have wonderful mouths!
It really depends on the horse