New bit?

[Nudge_gurl58]

Hi!

I ride my pony Gypsee is a rubber D-Ring Snaffle. (A happy mouth to be exact)
Recently she's started to relax more and more and is starting to mouth and chew the bit.
I was wondering if maybe I should switch to like rollers or something? My sister's horse has a D-ring roller, and her horse loves it she will roll it, and she foams a lot etc.
Gypsee is really easy to stop, a little harder to steer, but control is not an issue at all.
I was just wondering what you thought!:)

[cowpuncher]

If your horse is working well in the rubber mouthpiece, I'd consider yourself lucky, and not worry too much about it.

In general, I recommend against rubber mouthpiece's as much as I do aluminum and stainless steel mouthpieces. None of them encourage the salivation that we seek in a good bit to keep the horse soft on the bit. A wet mouth is a happy mouth. "Sweet Iron" is really just mild steel, or steel with a high carbon content. The rust, for whatever reason, tastes good, and it is generally recognized as being the best material for the mouthpiece of a bit.

If you have some copper inlaid in the mouthpiece as well, it's even better. The copper is even better than sweet iron for leading to salivation and tasting good. It would follow from this that a completely copper mouthpiece would be even better, but it's not. Copper alone is generally too soft. When the horse works the bit actively, as we want, they can actually chew all the way through the mouthpiece. It's not pretty when it happens.

If you do want to change bits, I wouldn't worry so much about the rollers, although they certainly won't hurt. A simple snaffle with some inlaid copper would be more than adequate. You'll probably find that you get a far better response than you already are with the rubber mouthpiece.

[luvs2ride1979]

If she's relaxing and chewing, then do NOT change the bit! That means she likes it ;).

I agree with CP for western bits. For English, I like the alloy bits that contain copper, especially the french link or bean mouth bits. The double joint helps the bit lay flatter in the horse's mouth.

http://www.doversaddlery.com/st%FCbben-steeltec-sweet-copper-loose-ring-bit/p/X1-010432/cn/1466/
http://www.doversaddlery.com/jp-korsteel-oval-mouth-copper-loose-ring-horse-bit/p/X1-010066/cn/1466/
http://www.doversaddlery.com/albacon-french-link-eggbutt-horse-bit/p/X1-010157/cn/1466/
http://www.doversaddlery.com/mikmar-cupreon-d-ring-snaffle-horse-bit-with-ergom-lozenge/p/X1-010191/cn/1466/

Expensive, but worth it.
http://www.dressageextensions.com/images%5Csmall%5C1076.jpg
http://www.dressageextensions.com/ProductDetail.asp?KEY=1100
http://www.saddleshop.com/cgi-bin/shopper.exe?preadd=action&key=05-0635&reference=/cgi-bin/shopper.exe%3Fsearch%3Daction%26keywords%3DK0043%2 6searchstart%3D45%26template%3DTemplates\SearchRes ult.html

This site uses frames, so these pages will look weird. Go to saddleshop.com to see the main web site.
http://www.saddleshop.com/cgi-bin/shopper.exe?preadd=action&key=05-0488&reference=/cgi-bin/shopper.exe%3Fsearch%3Daction%26keywords%3DK0043%2 6searchstart%3D15%26template%3DTemplates\SearchRes ult.html

Copper inlay english bits:
http://www.doversaddlery.com/copper-ctr.-roller-dee/p/X1-01738/cn/1466/
http://www.saddleshop.com/cgi-bin/shopper.exe?preadd=action&key=05-0134&reference=/cgi-bin/shopper.exe%3Fsearch%3Daction%26keywords%3DK0034%2 6searchstart%3D0%26template%3DTemplates\SearchResu lt.html
http://www.saddleshop.com/cgi-bin/shopper.exe?preadd=action&key=05-1115&reference=/cgi-bin/shopper.exe%3Fsearch%3Daction%26keywords%3DK0034%2 6searchstart%3D15%26template%3DTemplates\SearchRes ult.html
http://www.saddleshop.com/cgi-bin/shopper.exe?preadd=action&key=05-1130&reference=/cgi-bin/shopper.exe%3Fsearch%3Daction%26keywords%3DK0034%2 6searchstart%3D15%26template%3DTemplates\SearchRes ult.html

[cloedoll]

Great posts luvs2 and cowpuncher!

[Nudge_gurl58]

thanks everyone! :) This is a big help!

[shynbvs]

i agree w. CP and luvs2ride. I don't know much about bits and i would love to know more.

[Gypsy Rose]

Great thread! Understanding bits isn't always easy!

[Nudge_gurl58]

I know! I get confused about them sometimes.:huh: hehe :) This really helps though! thanks!

[Palogal]

I'm another vote for "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"!

[Gypsy Rose]

Same here- if Gypsee's going happily in what you're using, don't change it!

[PoniesRock101]

i agree if shes happy with it and your not riding breakless then i'd say keep using it!