Dilemma about bits

[qltrlori]

Our new horses haven't been ridden in a few years and the old owner doesn't have their old bridles at her house, they are at her dad's a couple hours away, and she doesn't remember what kind of bit they used. What should we try?

Thanks!

Lori

[SandyMM]

Are you sure you need a bit? We ride ours in everything from a (Paso) bosal with a leather noseband and curb to a Little 'S' hackamore by Reinsman to a slotted KImberwicke. Personally, I would never use a jointed snaffle on any Paso. Many of the Paso bits look excessive to people who have not seen or used them before but are actually pretty mild in action, I like either a Mullen-mouth (gentle curve w/no spoon) and short shanks or a spoon bit with "C" or other generally short shanks.

There are zillions of bits - if you are going to use one - be sure that it fits your horse's mouth size-wise, and works for both for the horse and your style of riding.

[ErinC]

try them with out, and give it some time.

then start small , easy snaffle, and work up!

[Pasogirlz]

Does she have any idea what the bits looked like at all? Spoon? Straight? Broken?

[CarolU]

I think I would start with a bosal and get them going again. Whatever bit they had before, chances are real good they were started in a bosal. The Paso Fino bosal is not the same at all as the hard western ones with the cable inside rawhide, so it is probably best to go to a site like Casa Dosa or Toddler and Rider and look at them. Then you can buy some from e-bay or use a leather halter which is more similar then a western bosal is. The difference is the curb strap and I have had poorer customers order JUST the curb from Casa Dosa and cut the jaw strap off a halter and accomplish something similar.

Then I agree, start small. If you use a snaffle, make it a comfort snaffle, french, or similar. You don't want the typical single-jointed snaffle.

Then see how they are doing. If you have problems with gait or control, come back here and describe your problem. There are many here with lots more bit experience then I. I pretty much stick to the mildest curb Mylers there are.

[qltrlori]

Thanks for the info! I had thought of going bitless. Am watching some stuff on eBay.

I have to say that the previous owner drives me crazy in some respects. How can you not remember what kind of bit/bridle you used? Or if you used a bit or not? I remember the bit and bridle I used on my last horse TWENTY ONE years ago! And my sister's horse's bit! And that is pretty god considering I can't even remember what I DID yesterday!

Lori

[qltrlori]

How about this as a possibility?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7250086792&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Lori

[Heidi]

I think that looks very nice.
I wouldn't pay more than $80 (?) I think that is what you can get them for from the online Paso Fino tack venders.
Heidi

[CarolU]

That looks like it'll do the trick. Don't forget reins...you'll want about 3/4" to 5/8" thick poly reins.