(Appendix 3, Card 310 A) Question: What is one type of bit that Travis uses on a horse? Answer: I am kinda partial to a Sliester western bit that is in a California style.
I'm a long-time horsewoman, but I'm new to the western world, so shanks - long vs. short - and terms like "bridle-horse" are new to me. Can you explain what a bridle-horse is? Also, I'm trying to find a gentler bit for a horse I'm leasing. "Jack" is my show horse for the season, and I'll be showing in western pleasure, trail and western riding. The owner has been using a Tom Thumb bit, but the horse has shown that he's in pain and desperate to get away from contact, so I want to try a gentler bit. I've always gone to Myler bits for both Dressage and Hunt Seat, but I'm not sure what would be best as a show bit for Western. Jack is well-trained, and collects under himself when I ride two-handed (though he's clearly very unhappy), but when I'm riding in a Western pleasure class, I can't use both hands. Can you point me in the right direction for where to learn about gentle bit alternatives?
Hi Travis, just a Question...why do horseman who start their horse on a rawhide bosel hackamore once the horse is good in a Bosel, why go into a bit of any type ? Why not just use the bosel hackamore as the horses neck rein and have responses to body cues.
I like this question. Here is the short answer...The hackamore is traditionally a two handed teaching tool used for communication with your horse. During this time, the horse is learning to balance the rider, have the rider move the horses different body parts through the use of the natural aids ( legs, seat and other skeletal parts of the riders body), and introduce cues. The next step is to be able to introduce the two rein setup to the horse in order to use a bridge of communication between the bosal and the signal bit. Notice I didn't say leverage bit. With the final step being a bridle bit. The bridle bit is only ridden one handed so a rider can use a lariat rope or a cow whip to handle livestock. No different than the older days of riders, having to use one hand to swing a sword or a lance in warfare. Now, if a rider doesn't want to progress to a bit and is happy just riding in a hackamore? More power to them. I know that for myself that I want added communication and peace of mind when riding one handed. I hope this helps. Videos will be made in the future. Cheers-TE
@ellistonequinesolutions3795 Very good explanation. Thank you ! I ride in a short shank hack, on trails and always wondered why others don't. Your explanation was simple and now I know, and respect .. why cowboys use bits. Brilliant!❤
That is up to the riders discretion. Can you effectively move all parts of the horses body (head/neck, hind end, front end and rib cage) can you control the horse at a walk, trot and canter, can you stop a horse with ease, can you do leg yield etc... Also, depends on what direction you are taking the horse. Example of two different techniques, such as moving to a hackamore (classical buckaroo style) or to a level 2 transition bit (cowpuncher or performance style). A level 2 transition bit is nothing more than a broken mouth piece that has shanks added to the bit. This helps a horse to have the confidence of snaffle bit but at the same time, start to introduce the feel of a leverage bit. With the end state of riding a western (curb) bit. Now just going off of a time frame... I would say that you're ready to move up into a different bit. Cheers-TE
A cow horse can be in any stage of training to include the bridle horse. A bridle horse is at that the final stage of advanced training in the western tradition. Especially in the style of the Californio tradition. They have either surpassed the snaffle and transition bit process in the cowpuncher tradition or have moved from the hackamore, two rein, to straight up in the bridle process. I hope this helps you. Cheers- Travis
