This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses » Tennessee Walking Horses Menu » Tennessee Walking Horses topics not covered by the above »
  Discussion on Walking Horse Bit
Author Message
Member:
kjbm

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 - 3:29 pm:

I have a Tennessee Walker that I rescued and I'm looking at bits. I've been using a D-ring snaffle
but he doesn't seem to like it. I'm new to riding a gaited horse and can use all the help I can get.
Member:
cgby1

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 - 6:57 pm:

Hi Kris,
Is this a snaffle with a single joint in the center? What is he doing that tells you he doesn't like the bit? I have a mare that bit down on the snaffle with a single joint. She did it repeatedly until she just about DrOve me nuts. I have had better results with all four of my horses using a bit with two joints and a lozenge between them. Not the french link which is flat but the round football shaped lozenge.

Cynthia
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 29, 2009 - 8:01 pm:

Hello kris,
I would say the first step is to try and track down the former owner and see what was working for them, though as a rescue this might be tough. In lieu of that my wife, who is the bitting expert of the family and ridden TWH's and Paso's for years, recommends you try the Myler level 2. She goes on to say, "Do you have any idea how old and what sort of training this horse has had? In any case, if the snaffle is not working for you, I would try a Myler bit with a fairly short shank and a mild port and see how this horse likes that.

Many TWH are ridden in rather severe, high port bits, by people who have less than soft hands. Sometimes these are bits with 8-10 inch shanks. They sometimes end up scared and unsettled. If the horse is running thru a snaffle, move up, but have soft hands."
Janette
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 - 9:10 am:

Hi Kris,

I always cringe when I hear a bit being described as a "walking horse bit" or a "cowboy whatever" because of the reasons DrO says above.

Every horse has a different shaped mouth, tongue thickness, and lip thickness and sensitivity. I always start with the simpliest of bits, like the 3 part Cynthia suggests.

When/if I want to try a shanked bit, I go to a kimberwickie first to introduce the curb action, then I experiment with different shanked bits. I don't use the shanked bits all the time, always going back to the 3 part snaffle.

It's been years since we had a TW, and the ones we had seemed to be used to be rode with the shanked bits and "held together" or they went all out! Now, I would know better how to retrain one like that, and I'd go back to basics with a 3 part snaffle myself.

Also, make sure his teeth are not an issue.
Member:
kjbm

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 4, 2009 - 6:28 pm:

Thank you all for the help. I think he was used to a walking horse bit but i'm afraid that in my hands it is to harsh. He really want to go so I would like a little more control. I think the only training he has had is to go out on the trail following the leader as fast as possible. He has had his teeth done and he does have a small mouth.
Member:
cgby1

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 5, 2009 - 12:39 am:

Hi Kris,
I would not take him out on the trail until he has a good stop in any bridle you use. It is not the severity of the bit, it is the training to respond to your cues. Spend the time it takes in a arena or even a round pen if necessary to teach him to stop. Months ago I watched Julie Goodnight teach a group of riders to precue a stop with their seat. She had them put weight in their seat and exhale, then give a soft cough before adding any pressure on the bit. I started practicing it with my horse and it works great. I study dressage and I wanted my horse to stop exactly on the spot with all four feet square. If I tried to stop with just rein pressure he would throw his head up and that loses point with the judge. After he has a really good stop practice a lot of walk, trot and trot to stop. Or walk to gait, I am not familiar with TW horses but work with him until you have great control at any speed before you take him on trail. You shouldn't need a curb bit to control him he should stop as soon as you put weight in the saddle. I spent many years riding in the hills on narrow trails as well as along busy streets, so I know how important it is for you to have a well trained horse for the safety of both of you.
Member:
kjbm

Posted on Wednesday, Aug 5, 2009 - 11:21 am:

Thanks for the tips Cynthia. I have started from scratch with him. He will stop but gets frustrated if other horses get to far ahead. I am also having problems riding him by himself.
Member:
cgby1

Posted on Thursday, Aug 6, 2009 - 7:25 pm:

Hi Kris,
Do you have an arena to work in? What kind of behavior does he engage in? Do you have some friends that will spend some time in the arena practicing with you? You could make it fun by playing follow the leader games where the leader goes to the back of the line and everyone takes a turn being the leader. You can use cones, barrels and jump rails to make obstacles to simulate a trail ride. As you follow, if he gets too close make a small circle or weave back and forth until he understands that he cannot run up on the horse in front of him. But I would start with the plan I gave you in the previous message first until he learns to be responsive to your cues and don't be in a hurry to go out on trail rides until you can be safe.

Cynthia
Member:
kjbm

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 11, 2009 - 9:39 am:

I don't have an arena but I have been using your ideas riding. He was the leader the other night so I think we are moving forward. We did go on our 1st away from the farm trip Sat. Very laid back trails with 2 other horses. He did so good we only walked and he was perfect. I did work on your stop ideas all week before I would agree to take him. Thanks again for your help. I hope to try riding by myself in the dry lot this week.
Member:
shogeboo

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2009 - 3:11 pm:

Hi Kris,

How is it going with your new rescue TWH? I hope you are both doing well.

Does anyone have thoughts on the Brenda Imus gaited horse bit? It has short shanks, a barrel shaped mouth and Pinchless center roller and bushings.
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Tuesday, Nov 10, 2009 - 4:28 pm:

Steph,

Funny you asked about the Imus bit. I bought it few years ago, and tried it on two of my horses. I fell for the sales pitch "Fits all sizes of mouths" or whatever it says.

Well, it does not fit my little Arab who needs a 4 3/4" bit, it's ridiculously huge in her mouth. So don't work for her.

My paint, who most of the time I use a 3 part snaffle on, never did seem to relax when it was in his mouth. He actually needs a 5 1/4" bit in some bits.

What I did find out though was he is really really LIGHT in the old "Walker Bit" I have, lol! He's light to begin with, but every so often I use that bit on him just to see what we can do, and he seems to love that one. I think it's a medium port, shanks are not too long.

As for the Imus bit, I don't care for it because it don't seem to give the horse any release from contact ever. If you lift up one rein, the whole bit seems to collapse on the horses tongue, where it seems to rest all of the time anyhow. I say this based on putting it on my arm, and trying different things.

The only reason I have mine yet is because I may use it on Tango in the future. He has a wide mouth and fleshy lips.

I think of how I've seen some people ride Walkers, think I said this above. Their feet jammed out, horses "held" with the reins. I guess if that's normal for riding a gait-ed horse, then the Imus would do that.

But I am not impressed with it, just my experience.

I think I may have had a discussion on it when I bought it. Another member also bought it then, and did not care for it either if I remember correctly.
Member:
shogeboo

Posted on Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 - 9:19 am:

Angie,

I have seen people ride like that too and it's kind of scary. I ride both my boys like any other horse with shoulder hip and knees aligned and soft hands. I like them to light and responsive. I find the argentine snaffle and tom thumb are good choices for them. My older one does fine in an eggbut snaffle and gaits just fine. You don't need the long shanks and a severe bit to make a Walker gait or to control them if they are tuned into you. Snaffles are great for training and learning as they encourage lots of softness and flexibility. The tom thumb is quite nice and I use it as an every day bit.
I am forgoing the Imus comfort gait bit. Found some others in Valley Vet that look great and they offer descriptions about what the bit does and what level of training it is good for. A good resource I thought.
Member:
kjbm

Posted on Monday, Nov 16, 2009 - 1:36 pm:

I tried a reining bit last weekend. Curb shaped with short shanks and a center roller. He seemed to like it but mouthed it. I'm thinking maybe the roller? He is turning much better but will not move away from the others. He might recognise mom's not such a hot leader.
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Monday, Nov 16, 2009 - 6:51 pm:

When you say he mouthed it, just a lot of chewing, or was he like attacking the shanks? I just started using a bit like you are describing, and I swear the whole shank is going to get swallowed!

He should though play with the roller, that is good if he's got a nervous mouth. Some people might not like that, but it don't bother me, and he will get used to it.

A tip: the bit won't make him go away from others. Sounds like he needs some basics? And it might be a bad idea to keep changing bits. Each one works differently, and it does take more than one ride to see if it's a good match or not.
Member:
mrose

Posted on Monday, Nov 16, 2009 - 7:13 pm:

Hi Kris, just checking; do you have the curb strap adjusted correctly and is the bit seated in the right spot in the horse's mouth? Also, does he have wolf teeth? If so, you should probably have them removed.

Angie, if your horse is getting the bit into his mouth, it's 1) not adjusted right; or, 2) if it's just an especially mouthy, "talented" horse, you can use bit guards. they're kind of difficult to put on, but really help.
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Monday, Nov 16, 2009 - 7:59 pm:

Sara,

It's that bit that has the non-swivel shanks. I am trying it on Tango, and just using the snaffle rein.

I have bit guards, the kind that open up and velcro back together. But I don't want him "comfortable" on the sides of his mouth, tee hee.
Member:
kjbm

Posted on Thursday, Nov 19, 2009 - 3:23 pm:

I think he was just playing with the roller. He wasn't trying to chew on the shanks. That can be quite annoying. He has had his wolf teeth removed. I will double check the fit, although he did seem to like it. I thought it might be less severe with the shorter shanks.

I know that the bit won't cure any problems I just want to use the best one for him. We do need to go back to basics. I'll take any tips on that. He is getting better turning and stopping with seat and leg pressure, but will not easily go forward by himself.
Member:
shogeboo

Posted on Thursday, Nov 19, 2009 - 5:28 pm:

Hi Kris,
I was considering a reining bit for my new one too- I like the roller action in the centerpiece. I would think that would be a good start, or as I had mentioned a tom thumb or argentine snaffle are good starting points.
Back to the basics...that's what I am doing too. For me, I invested in help of a good friend who is really taking the time to work with me on groundwork and riding. It takes time and patience and sometimes I run out of both. The structure of working with someone is very helpful at least for me. If you work on your own and need some guidance, maybe try investing in some Clinton Anderson, Parelli or other horsetraining program that you can follow on your own. You don't have to necessarily do the whole program but some exercises may be very helpful to gain respect and control. I know you mentioned no arena to work in- what about a round pen for groundwork? Is there anyone you can take lessons from for riding especially if gaited horses are new to you?
Keep us posted on how he does with the reining bit.
New Member:
bbthur

Posted on Sunday, Dec 6, 2009 - 7:15 pm:

Hi Kris - have you resolved your bitting issue? If not, my TWH really likes the Myler MB33 medium port with sweet iron inlay. I've tried a snaffle with him, but he prefers the MB33. The bit has 5" shanks. I ride him in shows and on the trail with this bit. I also use this bit on my other TWH who is not as well trained and may need the leverage the shanks offer from time to time. This bit gives tongue relief which the horses like.
Member:
kjbm

Posted on Monday, Dec 7, 2009 - 4:45 pm:

We rode at Shaker Village last weekend. It was so fun. I thought he would be scared of a horse drawn wagon but he did not bat an eye. He tried to run off to save us from a two headed horse eating human on the trail. I had to make him turn and face the monster!!! The bit seems to his liking. I did have his teeth done again even though I had them done in May. He had some sharp edges so I'm glad I had him checked. Thanks for all the help. I hope to keep doing some light riding all winter and lots of ground work.
Member:
leslie1

Posted on Monday, Dec 7, 2009 - 6:36 pm:

Kris, Im right by Shaker Village...let me know if you go there again...maybe me and ol Skeeter can meet you sometime:-)
Member:
kjbm

Posted on Monday, Jun 28, 2010 - 2:44 pm:

I have an update on my boy. He is doing great with the new bit. I tried the snaffle again and he seemed heavy, like he was leaning into it. With the reining bit he is much softer. We have had major improvement due to 3 weeks of hand walking after his Stringhalt surgery. We rode all last week alone. He is the best!
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC