IT'S FREE!! Horses for Sale, Horses for loan, tack for sale and miscellaneous equestrian items. If you have a horse for sale or loan you can add it yourself.
	Company Profile: FLOWTECH

BITTING YOUNGSTOCK
By Ken Perrin of the SALE or RETURN BIT BANK

All through a working horses life, one aspect we are always talking about, trying to achieve and hope to succeed in is him to 'accept the bit'. Most of us buy mature horses and, with this, we inherit all the good and bad things in his make up. Fortunately, they are mostly good, problems only occassionally being encountered. Changing his feed, his field, exercise regime etc is, after a short time, accepted by your new horse without much fuss. However, we can experience behavioral problems when ridden, many coming back to bad experiences with what type of bit used and how he was initially bitted.

If we have our horses from a young age, or buy one that is not yet 'made' we have a tremendous advantage. Firstly, I will never use,and do not like the expressions 'Broken' or 'breaking' when referring to a young horse that has to be prepared for the future. You 'break' cars when they are written off or old, and if something is 'broken' it needs to be fixed. I prefer to use the expression 'making' when referring to a young horse.

So let's go through some of the basics.
The bit is probably the most important item you will ever depend on, even more so than a saddle. you can ride bareback, but try riding without a bit! I feel that youngsters need to be introduced to a bit from as young as possible. I do this, even when months old, by placing the bit in his evening feed bucket. DO NOT leave them alone with it, but stand with them, stroking and talking quietly. And what happens - the inquisitive youngster starts to play with and lick this 'thing' in its feed bucket. IT'S ACCEPTING IT. Next, I cover the bit in Cod Liver oil or similar (even chaff) and hold it in front of him to lick - next thing he's put it in his mouth like a dummy. Occasionally, put the bit on him, in his stable, with his feed, just for a minute or so at a time. You now have a bitted horse that likes it because everything you have done has been linked with a pleasurable experience, (feed & owner telling him what a good boy he is).

So what bit do you use?.
Well there are many opinions, so I'll give you mine. I start off with a straight bar Eggbutt Flexi mouth nylon bit. They are fairly soft, no nutcracker action, are difficult to pull through the mouth (unlike loose ring), and a showing lead can be attached for those yearling or younstock classes. Another advantage with them is that you will be able to monitor his teeth condition as these bits are quite easily marked.

When Riding for the first time, move up to a Flexi mouth Full ckeek, preferably Straight bar, but jointed if you prefer. Again, you have all the advantages of the eggbutt with the addition of the cheeks to show the youngster where he should be going. Vices, if they occur, like napping, can quickly be overcome, with no fear of getting the bit pulled through the mouth. Generally, Flexi, or nylon mouthed bits are kind, not to soft, give good mouthing qualities and the ability to moniter the horses teeth.

All in all, you will start the younster on a road of 'moving off the leg into a gentle but consistant rein contact'.

TO RECAP BITS TO USE
Non metallic, Nylon, soft & hard rubber. Preferably unjointed. Eggbutt & Full cheek. Not too thick.

BITS NOT TO USE Stainless Steel, Thick mouthed bits, Jointed, Loose ring, Gags, Pelhams etc.

HOW TO INTRODUCE. From a young age, slowly, kindly and occasionally, paying attention to dentition at all times.

Ken will gladly answer all bitting enquiries on (01933) 277515

Return to Contents