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Re: [RC] more Whoa needed - Mike LewisThank you for your thoughts here... The bottom line is that this is will be a process of trial and error as well as considerable effort. My wife probably has a large selection of bits in her riding gear. I own a hackamore... that's all I ever used on my old gelding and it worked for him. Not sure how Molly will respond to a hack. Thank you, Mike --- Tx Trigger <txtrigger@xxxxxxxxx> wrote: The discussion of what bit to use is common for most disciplines. There is much to consider when choosing the correct bit. With distance riding, some of our concerns are control, comfort, ability to eat and drink, and even weight. There is NO one bit (or bitless) bridle that will work for every single horse and rider, no matter what someone who sells them will tell you. Find the combo that works best for you. Yes, some bits are referred to as mild, some sever, but they are also as mild or sever as the hands that use them. Most of us have reasons to use what we choose. And it may or may not be the same for all of ones own horses. I have a Myler kimberwick with a comfort mouth that I like, and also use an S hackamore some. With the Myler, I can have the reins on a lower position for more leverage if needed, or up higher for less if the horse is sensitive. Go look at photos of Becky Hart riding Rio, and she had a shanked western bit, with double reins. One rein on snaffle setting, the other on leverage. I have ridden some distance horses with that very set up too. They needed the snaffle setting most the time, but if I needed to get a bit more hold of them, it was usually light pressure to the curb (leverage) rein that got the results I needed. No need to yank or tug, just light hands. As someone mentioned,a horse tugging and pulling against the reins with a snaffle bit is probably worst than a rider who has light contact with a leverage bit. Yes, retraining for the horse to not want to "race" all the time may help, but usually is difficult, but I'd say worth a try. I will also add, if you do not fully understand the function of the bit, hackamore, or what ever bridle you use, and the pros and cons of the equipment, educate yourself with it, so you understand its use and application. I have seen many people do hard selling on certain equipment on this list, that it is the "best ever made", but it may not be the best for YOU and YOUR horse. Don't get sucked in by salesmanship on anything. Ask questions of other users. Then use what will make the ride more enjoyable for both you AND your horse. Jonni =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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