Help picking bits

[zoel_222]

A friend of mine was given a horse who is broke to a T. He's awesome, awesome, awesome and is very easy going, neck reins, very, very patient all around great kids horse. He's a barrel racer and a roper but now just does trails with my friend. When she got him he was in a really tough barrel racing bit with all kinds of bells and whistles and crazy contraptions which would be fine for a good rider with light hands. The problem is my friend is a really bad, green rider. She has REALLY heavy hands, is always ripping and jerking on his mouth, kicking him in the gut for no reason and never gives him any release on the reins. She takes my advice *sometimes* but refuses to get lessons because I guess "she already knows how to ride." I lent her my bridle and reins with a bitless attachment on it because I figured that'd be easier on the horse than that barrel racing bit because of my friend's hands. She's had that bridle for like 6 months now and I really want it back along with the bitless but I do not want that poor horse back in that bit with her hands. Does anyone have a bit they can suggest for a rider with rough hands and a horse with a light mouth?

[miatapony]

yeah you can go tell her you need yours back but she can buy the same one at like here..... i know its not the best but it will work.

[cloedoll]

Ugh, that all bugs me so badly. At least you're looking out for her horse, though. :) I know everyone's budget is tight but maybe buy her one of these: http://stores.ebay.com/MJMAYS-BITLESS-WONDER-BOSAL_Bitless-Wonder-bosals_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ7632892QQftidZ2QQtZk m

[rocknK]

Might suggest some reading, Tom Dorrance comes to mind. Bill Dorrance as well, "True Horsemanship Through Feel". Every real horseman should have copy.

[zoel_222]

Yeah that's just what I have for her. Mine cost about $12 and they custom make them. I have 2. I guess I could just buy her another bitless. I didn't even think about that. duh. :rolleyes:

[zoel_222]

rocknK, getting her some books on horsemanship might be good for her.... Knowing her she'll probably just ignore all the good information and keep doing things her waym but it's worth a shot. Have any suggestions on basic horsemanship books?

[rocknK]

How about some lessons?? Some folks seem to pay more attention when they have to pay money. Or maybe you could play they old game of "watch me & do what I do". Some folks learn well that way too! I always try to show folks they don't have to work so hard ifn' they just learn to get along with their horse. Good luck.

[zoel_222]

How about some lessons?? Some folks seem to pay more attention when they have to pay money. Or maybe you could play they old game of "watch me & do what I do". Some folks learn well that way too! I always try to show folks they don't have to work so hard ifn' they just learn to get along with their horse. Good luck.


Oh how I've tried. When I try to show her how to do something she usually goes "I know" and just ignores me and keeps on yanking on the horse's mouth for no reason. I've pleaded with her to take lessons, even offered to trailer her horse out to my work for some clinics, offered her to join our 4H, I've even offered me giving free lessons to her. She is just a stubborn girl who truly doesn't understand horses are living beings and you need to treat them so. She is really not into being a horse owner or having a bond with her horse. She just wants to ride it whenever she wants and expects him to work like a machine. Hell, it took me months to get her to even start FEEDING the poor guy. We have made progress, believe it or not. After 1 year she now has a shelter for him, feeds him almost everyday, :doh: canters without holding onto the horn and deworms him every other month. Right now my current project is getting the horse's teeth floated. She's had him almost one year and has no idea about his medical history before that and has never had a vet out.

[rocknK]

Thank God she has you for a friend. From you description the horse might not be around without your advice. Keep at it. For the horses sake. Think of it as Karma. Good luck.

[zoel_222]

Thanks rockn

[AUEquine]

Think ya'll could do a clinic together. Explain to her how a clinic isn't learning to ride, it's fine tuning your riding. And do it together, ask her to come along so you don't feel weird (ie, lie to her). Then let a clinician rip into her about it.

Or do to her what an old dressage trainer did to me. She wanted me to use my seat more and my hands less, and we were working side passes and haunches in on a hill. She took one/both of my reins and replaced them with elastic bands (like you'd get in the sewing section). I could pull, and the horse would feel, but I could only apply so much pressure. However I still had a connection to the mouth and could pull all the way back if necessary.

[ownedby7horses]

Sounds to me like that horse is lucky that you're around! I think if you just keep at it, you'll get through to her. AU had a great idea about taking in a clinic and making up some reason why she should go with you without telling her she's actually the reason for going! Clinics are fun, no matter how experienced a person is, it's great to get together and ride and learn together.

[Joey A]

Have you actually said point blank "You are going to ruin your horse by creating a hard mouth riding that way."

Might P/O your friend, but sometimes people don't understand anything but "tough love"

[Fork]

I have a friend who's exactly like that. Thankfully once she sold her horse, she spent her money on taking lessons for 2 years. :) Now she's somewhat more prepared.

Good luck! Opinions aren't easy to change. :) It's easier said than done.

[zoel_222]

Have you actually said point blank "You are going to ruin your horse by creating a hard mouth riding that way."


I've said that exactly many, many times. She doesn't care.


Think ya'll could do a clinic together. Explain to her how a clinic isn't learning to ride, it's fine tuning your riding. And do it together, ask her to come along so you don't feel weird (ie, lie to her). Then let a clinician rip into her about it.
necessary.


I've said that exactly too. We have clinics all the time at work and I've invited her to every single one saying how much fun it is and they talk about basic horsemanship and I'm going but I don't want to go alone. She's not interested. :doh:

[Joey A]

"I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect" -Edward Gibbons.

At that point, I believe that this person has fit themselves nicely into that catagory.

[alittleoffkey]

You could get her Horses for Dummies. It's very informative, some of the information isn't completely 100% correct... but it's close enough. It talks briefly about not leaning on the reins or yanking on them. It also has a chapter entitled "10 horse tales debunked!" ... the first tale they talk about is that horses are stupid. ;)

Unfortunately though, some people will never change. :(

[Cat]

I would suggest a french link snaffle - but even those can be harsh in the wrong hands. I like the clinic idea and you two going together.

[Beausgirl]

Wow. You have a lot more patience than I do! I would have ripped this gal a new one by now!! Anyway!! A snaffle bit with a very thick mouthpiece, or, another of your "bitless" bridles - not sure what those are, but, if you think it's working and they're pretty cheap it sounds like, so... go with that. Oh, and if you get the chance - tie her down, put a bit in her mouth, and pull with everything you've got, and ask her - "How d'ya like THAT??!! Is THAT workin' for ya??!" (Sorry - got a little carried away there -- my bad.:o )

[Joey A]

Wow. You have a lot more patience than I do! I would have ripped this gal a new one by now!! Anyway!! A snaffle bit with a very thick mouthpiece, or, another of your "bitless" bridles - not sure what those are, but, if you think it's working and they're pretty cheap it sounds like, so... go with that. Oh, and if you get the chance - tie her down, put a bit in her mouth, and pull with everything you've got, and ask her - "How d'ya like THAT??!! Is THAT workin' for ya??!" (Sorry - got a little carried away there -- my bad.:o )

No comment! :rolleyes:

[TheBadLands]

Unfortunately, sometimes you have to take the high road. I've given away SEVERAL bits.... usually for the same reason. I know it's not an option for everyone, but if you can't correct her ignorance through learning..then just give her the bridle.

I had a client, after I put 30 + days on her horse, buy (accidently, in her defense) a gag, shanked bit. Similar to a correction type bit for a reiner. She bought it because the mouth piece itself was somewhat like one of mine. French link with copper center. The difference was the gag action. The horse backs and stops on a dime. I train them all that way..... so in this bit, you could literally pick the reins up about 4 inches and the horse would hustle backward... when I saw this and found out what she had bought, I just went ahead and traded her for the bit she tried to replicate. I can always use bits, being a trainer full time etc....

But I really liked the bit I traded :cool::(

It happens though. You're a good person.