still agreeing w/most info here. really appreciate the mark rashid link. as much respect as i have for him, i just had to go read that. at least i felt better to see that the longer shanked TT is on it's hook and the shorter shanked one is on the headstall for the mare i just got back after her being away 3 yrs raising pretty fillies. after working her a little today i can see where the sidepull or bosal will be just fine after we spend a little ground time addressing "RESPECT" issues. she's become quite a pushy heifer.LOL:) :) :) the one point i have carved in stone (in my hard head) is "you ride the horse you lead"! well--i also believe you ride HOW you lead--heavyhanded, chains here and there, etc. or quiethanded letting your body language speak also. thanks again for the link. i have a friend ropes off his stallion in a halter and a rope; but this same stallion hand-breeds w/only a halter and rope on the mare. again--respect on the ground translates to respect in the saddle. God bless all, happy new yr ahead and definitly keep links and advice coming.

Pbear...I agree! If any of you have the opportunity to see Pat and/or Linda Parelli do a demo with their horses, then you will appreciate and understand "true HORSEMANSIP"! They ride bareback...no bit, no bridle, no saddle.....nothing but their body on the back of the horse. They will race around the arena full gallop, jump over barrels, you name it they do it. I have seen Pat even cattle pen, etc again with just only using body language on his horse....really quite amazing. He is quite the entertainer with all his fancy talking, but dang....the guy really knows how to "communicate" with his horse. It's all about your horse trusting you and you trusting your horse. Some horse people thing that the bigger the bit, the bigger the spurs the better his horse will listen and perform......WRONG! That's my 3 cents worth!!

couldnt agree with you more IMA!! we start and finish and all the in betweens with a 3 piece snaffle KK training bit.. horses love it and we even school in it with our upper level horses .. most of the time they dont get a double in their mouth until day of competitions. its called communication, trust and harmony with your horse~

I love it Julebar!! The reiner that uses just a halter or no head stall gets extra points in difficulty, just like a diving event. Harder the trick, the higher the degree of difficulty. Anyway, I have seen many horsemen do reining moves with no head stall. I even saw an article on a championship roping where the guy took off the headstall to prove to the other ropers that it can be accomplished by riding with you seat. He only came in second place in the championship!!! To only have a small bit of that talent would be fabulous.

wouldn't it be interesting if there was not only a ceiling on how much bit or equipment you could tack up with for a competitive event but no floor--in other words--if you can run that reining pattern and get those stops, turns, etc. tacked up in just a halter--why not?????????? you are still going to be scored on just how much excess movement you use to cue w/the reining hand (for one example) as well as the horses performance. my mare will tuck that nose and put the rear in gear for a backup w/halter and rope but because she first learned it from the ground there is no reliance on special gear any more than counting on a "bit" of anykind to make whoa mean whoa. i agree w/imacowgirl's post as well as w/most of the other great advice on here. equipment is only as effective as the hands that are connected to it. keep the wisdom and websites coming folks because there is something waiting to be learned from everything----what to do or what not to do!!!! God bless and be safe.

Rancher I knew you'd give me some more grief about that Arabian ! ~ smile~ I'm with you that I need my horses to perform well with whatever bit I put in their mouth...I show the gelding in a full spade silver show bit. When I show him English Hunter I use a snaffle. Trail riding I use a low port reining bit, or what ever. You're right when you say there is no magic bit to get a horse to do what you want...it's all about getting your horse to 'give you his mind'. Ladies be sure and take note of what Rancher said about us...it's not likely he'll ever say that again ! :)

Player - The Miracle Bit and the ball-bearing bit I mentioned are one and the same. As for curb bits, I bought a Mylar bit years ago and really like it. It has a small port, is hinged both ways under the port, and the sides swivel. I use it on one of my barrel horses who tends to overflex. The horse likes it real well, it is a nice, balanced bit, and I can lift one shank while the other remains straight. It is interesting how our horses can run, spin, jump, stop, etc. very smoothly and controlled, only having "problems" when we ride them.... hense the "problem" comes with the rider, not the horse. Always go to a lighter bit when having problems. I will completely remove all head gear and go into the rope halter for a while, then add back a very light bit if needed. I tune all my barrel horses in the old D-ring for flexing & bending. And Dallcowboy, I hate to admit it, but I have one of those old bicycle chain bits hid somewhere!!! (Please don't tell anyone, but I tried it out of frustration once, long ago. Now it hangs around to remind me of how far I have come in riding my skills.) LOL Thanks Rancher, we cowgirls love you too! ~Vicky

Player, if your horse is doing good with the Tom Thumb, don't change. Keep an eye on the bit and look for wear around the joints. Tom Thumbs are bad to pinch the inside of the horse's mouth as it wears down. Of course if your horse starts to resent the bit, check it and his mouth. I can only speak for myself and my theories but I think the mistake many make is buying bits to correct problems when the problem is on his back. I think I mentioned before I believe you can put a bit in the mouth that will cause problems alot more often than solving them. One fun thing about horses and horse people is they are all different and react differently to the same things. Ride your horse and be safe and sane and 08 will be great.

There is the Sweetwater Bit with a 2-3/4 x 1-1/2 port that is made of sweet iron with copper inlay, 5" mouth, 8" cheek.

I have to say this almost leaves me a bit confused...no pun intended. I have always respected and liked the work of Mark Rashid, and reading that article made me think twice about the Tom Thumb snaffle that I have been using on Player. He does not seem to mind it, aside from the fact that it makes him pay attention. Before, he was ignoring the snaffle I had in his mouth. I am now thinking I ought to invest in a curb for him. Anyone have a favorite curb bit? PlayerMom