Why UseA Snaffle Bit On Your Horse
Pony riders use western type bits for a similar reason they use spurs. Bits and spurs are used to draw the horse’s attention to a command from the rider and to get it to respond promptly to that command.
You apply pressure thru a bit to a horse’s mouth. You hold that pressure just long for the pony to start responding, then you release it. I keep telling other riders, especially novices, that the response will be quicker if the release is faster. You don’t wish to unnecessarily cause pain to your pony.
I take some pains over teaching a horse about responding to pressure with extended ground training employing a rope halter before I put a snaffle bit or western bit on him. I subject him to pressure on both sides and teach him to bend (also known as flexion). I also teach him to yield his hindquarters, to simulate a rider’s one rein stop as he gets into the saddle.
I’ve got a impressive technique, which has worked well for me, with horses that I feel are mature enough to start. I turn the horse out in a pen, ideally a round pen, after putting a side pull on him with a snaffle on it. I keep repeating this process over a spell of a day or two until I know they have got used to it. This way, I get them accustomed to a bridle and the bit without having them blow a gasket each and every time. The concept is to get them to accept the bridle and bit as playthings, instead of work items or products that may cause them harm.
Once the pony is cosy, I repeat all the ground work I had done earlier with the rope halter, except the halter is replaced by the snaffle bit. I make sure the snaffle is of the smooth western type. The snaffle brings pressure to bear on different end points: you are now putting pressure on both sides of the cheek, the bars in the mouth and the tongue rather than the nose. You must be terribly cautious about staying intensely light with this process.
This way, I achieve my intentions of getting my horse used to the idea I will use light bit pressure to communicate with him. I am taking things easy, a step at a time, and reward him for each positive response to get his confidence up and make sure he knows he
is doing just
fine.
Horses are Heather Toms passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of articles with other horse lovers, like all things about riding hats
