Re: RC: Bitting Question - Trail vs Dressage Usage

[Ruth Abair <shakesbearides@texoma.net>]

Truman, Bonnie, Tracey, Penny, Kathy, Abby,

Thank you "so" very much for responding to my question/plight.

I have tried a full cheek "mullen" - solid mouth - for ring work and I believe
this is part of the problem. He thinks all of a sudden his Kimberwicke - also a
mullen mouth with short shanks - the one I use on the trail - has no chain and
he's free to grab and lean on it. I seem to have better luck with a french link
configuration. He doesn't grab it and I have a better "feel" for his mouth. If I
had a preference; I would choose a french link over the mullen mouth for trail
riding.

Kimberwicke has come out with something brand new - it looks like the uxeter
"upside down" - with a french link - and gives you the option of switching
between leverage or no leverage. Has anyone seen this configuration? If so; do
you think it would be a candidate for the "best of both worlds?"

Many thanks for your time.

Ruth Abair in Texas
email: shakesbearides@texoma.net

"Truman Prevatt, PhD" wrote:

> Can't you show in dressage with a snaffle with a solid mouth piece?  If that
> is the case you could do both with the same bit. My wife is taking dressage
> lessons and riding trial with the same bit - a solid mouth piece snaffle.
> Also if you are not planning on showing in dressage it matters little which
> bit you use.
>
> Truman
>
> Ruth Abair wrote:
>
> > Dear Ridecampers,
> >
> > I have a 5yo Arabian - broken and coming along nicely - I would like to
> > do endurance and "basic" dressage with. Problem; I fear I'm confusing
> > him with the switching of bits for each discipline. He was
> > broken/trained in a snaffle - the one with the nutcracker effect - and I
> > switched him to a Kimberwicke - the "uxeter" - slotted, mullen mouth,
> > minimum leverage model - for the trails. Works good, but is not
> > acceptable for basic dressage. So for the ring, I started using a
> > snaffle with a "french link." It's more comfortable to him than the
> > regular snaffle. Nonetheless, I am fearful he is becoming confused with
> > the switching - signals, feel/pressure, etc. - of bits. How does one
> > switch bits - back and forth - between trail and dressage work, without
> > confusing one's horse? Or do they? All comments are most welcome!
> >
> > Ruth Abair in Texas
> > email: shakesbearides@texoma.net
> >
>
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