Starting horses Snaffle vs. Bosal Discussion

[Candice Burger]

Another musing of mine. Been weighing out the pros and cons to both. When and if the head gear should change to one or the other depending on the phase of training.

Start in the jaquima (bosal or Colombian) and go to the snaffle?
Start in the snaffle and go to the bosal?
Or stay traditional and start in the jaquima to two rein to in the curb?

If the discussion must lead into how the snaffle works as opposed to the bosal and then which may give the advantage to starting a horse, I'm game on that too.

Years ago, I bought Ed Connell's book to get an idea about bitting up horses from the jaquima. Lots of technique in those little books. I was shocked to read that he advocated using the snaffle. Am still baffled as to why. Then there are the Dorrances and Brannaman advocating snaffles too. On the other hand, I'm finding some die-hard hackamore men that don't touch snaffles and see no reason to.

I'm suspecting the snaffle idea comes into play because it's easier on the horse and less technique is needed by the rider--or that's the idea(?).

[Terry Wallace]

I never used to start with a bosal & barbada until I got into Pasos.. I had started with a western..one-piece bosal..had very good luck with those and then went right to a snaffle and on to a curb. To me, a snaffle is a transitional bit (as some here have stated in the other thread).

FIT is very important for a one piece bosal like western stockhorse trainers use...it MUST FIT...cannot be too small or too big....

Since my introduction to bosal (flat nose band) and barbada (curb strap) set ups.. I find them much more forgiving, much better for starting, much easier for communication to horse, and very, very much to my liking.
So much more you can do with this set up...double rein & advance to single rein and on to the bit should you want to show that horse in PFHA..

OR...just ride with bosal & barbada...Colombian Hackamore I guess some would call it. I see NOTHING wrong with it...and absolutely think you can have a "finished" horse without ever having put a bit in its mouth....its just that rules are rules and PFHA dictates that presently.

For trail.... I love going bitless depending on what horse I'm riding... I also love the interchangeability of "pieces"...something you don't get with one-piece western bosal or traditional jaquima... HOWEVER..that is personal preference...nothing more impressive than a finished jaquima or western bosal horse to me.

Horses started here go into bosal & barbada, then to a carry bit..probably a Kimber, and eventually to a shanked bit...be it Paso Spoon or broken mouth forward tilt barrel...with short shanks...

Works for me....

PS I do like jaquimas and also longe cavesons for longing and they (each horse) does that way before they ever get fitted for the bosal & barbada...

I'm suspecting the snaffle idea comes into play because it's easier on the horse and less technique is needed by the rider--or that's the idea(?).... Yep..I'd say so! I would agree with your statement..its also quicker!

[CarolU]

I have never started a horse in a bit. I always like to save their mouth as much as possible. In fact, I don't train older horses in a bit, always go back to the bosal for training (e.g., trail obstacles, sidepassing, spins, etc.).

I used to start my horses in the western bosal - until I got my Casa Dosa trainer. My experience is like Terry's, I like it a lot better for early training, feel it gives you more control and you can be more subtle with it. And prefer it to the western bosal, which is great for a horse that already knows indirect reining, but can confuse a young horse when you are first training with direct reining.

This is an interesting question you raise Candice, because most westerners consider the snaffle a transitional bit, used on a young horse that is then graduated to the curb once it indirect reins. Neck reining is a requirement for a western horse, no horse would be finished without it (also a requirement for photogrpher's horses! LOL).

Yet, you look at other disciplines and see the refinement that is achieved with a snaffle, and know that you can achieve it all with the same bit. I have seen some very well trained reining horses that seem to work equally well with a snaffle, hackamore, or western spade bit.

I've also seen (owned) some horses that don't. Zar is a very good example of a horse who does not work well in anything. She'll stand on her nose and to get behind a shank bit (even with slack in the reins).

[Pinto Paso]

I start all of mine in the jaquima, all starting with the same bosal/barbada combo evaluating if and what changes are required I may change one or both... I change barbadas for frequently than I have had to change bosals.

I do not transition to a snaffle with the Pasos - I have not found it to benefit many Pasos. I agree with Terry that the multitude of changes that are possible with the jaquima produces a well rounded horse and that it is possible to have a finished horse without a bit - it just takes a lot more work. Time and patience is not something that the show world of Paso Finos seems to be recognizing right now.

[CarolU]

I agree with Terry that the multitude of changes that are possible with the jaquima produces a well rounded horse and that it is possible to have a finished horse without a bit - it just takes a lot more work. Time and patience is not something that the show world of Paso Finos seems to be recognizing right now.

Touche'

I have a few here that have never known a bit, no need to, they'll never leave here and I use them for lessons and it's just easier on the horse to have kids learn in a jaquima. Period. I also have horses I can ride with NO headgear and know that you can get there from a hackamore.

But, there is something to be said about bitting a horse...which I do whenever I plan to sell a horse or a client's horse. You never know what is down the line for that horse. Chances are somewhere, sometime, someone is going to put a bit in his mouth, so it is good that he knows how to carry it and respond to it.

I fully agree about our show world. They start young and push fast. I don't think this is healthy or good for a young horse. I'd much rather see REAL schooling classes (Jaquimas only at 3, double reins at 4) with finished and collected horses ONLY being shown at age 5 and beyond...and NO gaiting on concrete or asphalt allowed. Maybe try to push the age of the finished show horse out a bit and extend their careers. You know, if showing were more of a SPORT in this breed, the price of a ncie show gelding would be WAY up there.

[Linda Y]

When I used to train...before I got all old and breakable...I started all the youngsters in western bosals. Used correctly, it puts a lovely soft handle on them and makes them very aware of pressure on their face. I would transition them into easier and easier bosals, then have them carry a regular grazing type bit and gradually put pressure on that.
I sent Cita out for training. She had been started by me in a jaquima, and did very well in it. Initially, I sent her to a stock horse trainer. Her jaquima went along with her, but I have a feeling they had no idea how to use it. They put her into a ring snaffle because they said she bulled through the jaquima. When I got her home, she was a mess...spooky, no handle and just generally not trustworthy on the trail. And she HATED the snaffle.
Then she went to Tami Pinell. Tami immediately put her into a mechanical hackamore, and she was a happy horse. One day, I may try and put her back into the jaquima, or a western bosal. Lately she has told me the mechanical hack is a little rough.
The moral of the story is that no one will start your horse...or finish it...like you will yourself. And so many times, the horse will tell you what it likes to work in if you listen.

[CarolU]

And so many times, the horse will tell you what it likes to work in if you listen.

Excellent Linda. I often say that the mark of a true horseman, is not one who whispers to horses, but one who listens. You are so right.