Transitioning western to english - bit question

[Mercury]

I recently got a new horse. A 12 yr TB named Cricket. He's very well broke and very gentle with my fiance who is a beginner. My fiance however is interested in riding english (the horn on a western saddle makes him nervous...:hysterical: ) but cricket has only been ridden western since he's been off the track (he had a very short racing career). So for the last 9 years he has always been ridden with a tom thumb (i'm not opposed to tom thumbs... they are just awkward to ride english in...). The only time he was in a snaffle was during his racing days. What would be a good bit to transition to? The only bit I've used riding english is a snaffle, but since he's used to the leverage motion is there a good bit that will transition him easily to english?

[WashingtonBay]

I use a jointed Kimberwick on Bay, and like it. Mild amount of leverage, but it's there. :)

[cloedoll]

I was just about to suggest a Kimberwick. You could always try the snaffle and see how it goes. Or, I know for a Kimberwick if you use it on the top slot it has minimum leverage and is similar to a snaffle. If you need more leverage, use the bottom slot.

Here is my gelding in his Kimberick (now ridden in a snaffle), excuse it's dirtyness (I clean it everyday, but he was eating grass :o).
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/cloedoll/Horses/Tacked%20Up/DSC07242-1.jpg

http://www.buytack.com/products/bits/ac/graphics-2007/15561.jpg

WB--I like your bridle! ♥

[Mercury]

Excellent! That's the type of thing I was looking for! I'm so used to riding babies (relative term) I never really looked at other types of bits besides snaffles.

On a side note... I remember one of my students took a kimberwick to a show and ended up getting disqualified for using one. I had never really thought much of it and it didn't state they were illegal in the rulebook... They aren't that harsh are they? Mind this was a schooling show and the official who disqualified her came up to me and told me I should take all my girls home because they weren't good enough to compete. Evidently the judge thought differently since my girls all placed higher than the officials students (except when she managed to get one disqualified).

[WashingtonBay]

No, they are not that harsh. You won't find a milder leverage bit. I think hunter shows frown on them, but they frown on a lot of things. Heck, they frown on your tack not being the correct shade of brown.:rolleyes:

I showed in Arab shows so I don't know a lot about it. I mean... the Arab show people are plenty snooty, but they're snooty about different things. :)

[cloedoll]

They aren't that harsh are they?

They can be in the wrong hands, like any bit, but if you aren't some crazy rider, they sure aren't. :)

[Mercury]

Yeah... a tom thumb looks harsher that what that is... I didn't really think so, but it was jsut a random memory from several years ago.

It was intro dressage she got disqualified from. Her and the horse definately weren't into hunters. I think she did do a cavallette class once...

[WashingtonBay]

Actually, I do think they might require a simple snaffle for intro dressage.

[Mercury]

Hehe... I'm not suprised. This was the show where the blind was leading the blind... I'd never been to a dressage show and neither had my students... At least we all knew each other was blind!:innocent:

[Blue]

When I had my old mare I rode her in a Pelham and a Kimberwicke. She preferred the rubber covered Pelham.

[AUEquine]

Actually, I do think they might require a simple snaffle for intro dressage.

Until 2nd level (i think) when you can have a double bridle, the only bits you can ride dressage in are smooth snaffles. No twists or texture to the bit. It can be single, double, or none jointed. There can be no leverage, the closest thing to leverage you can use is a bocher bit. The sides can be anything, full cheek, egg butt, loose ring, doesn't matter, just no drop.

As far as the rules for kimberwicks... they're not that well covered. Pretty much anything is allowed in Jumers and XC. However hunter rules are very vague on kimberwicks. They added the nice "no non traditional bits" rule. Which basically means it by each judge/show managers choice as to what's traditional. I know alot of people that show hunters around here in kimberwicks, but have been told they're not allowed some places!

I do agree with everyone else that for your horse and your hubby that a kimberwick does sound like a good choice!

[APPYT]

I recently got a new horse. A 12 yr TB named Cricket. He's very well broke and very gentle with my fiance who is a beginner. My fiance however is interested in riding english (the horn on a western saddle makes him nervous...:hysterical: ) but cricket has only been ridden western since he's been off the track (he had a very short racing career). So for the last 9 years he has always been ridden with a tom thumb (i'm not opposed to tom thumbs... they are just awkward to ride english in...). The only time he was in a snaffle was during his racing days. What would be a good bit to transition to? The only bit I've used riding english is a snaffle, but since he's used to the leverage motion is there a good bit that will transition him easily to english?

Is your fiance used to riding western or english? I wanted to suggest a aussie saddle if it's only the horn making him nervous. ;) Then he could continue to ride with a more tradional western bit. Otherwise, if he wishes to ride english I'd go with either the kimberwick or the pelham(which is basically an english curb bit).

[Mercury]

He is just learning right now which is why we got Cricket. I was originally trying to teach him on Mercury, but I don't trust Merc well enough to just let my fiance go on him. Eventually he would like to do endurance or dressage (or both), but right now Cricket is perfect for him since he is extremely well trained and completely unflappable under saddle so my fiance has been able to just enjoy riding. I considered getting an endurance saddle for him, but right now finances are limited:(.