Bits and Not Bits:
Preface: I was having fun watching horsey vids on the TubeYou and literally every video I watched had a "bits vs no bits" type of fight. Which got me thinking about bits and the types I use and dont use anymore, the ones you find in my tack room, and the ones I'm interested in trying. Also, I wanted to give a condensed version of my history with bits: up until I was 14 (so young, so naive) bits were evil, 100%, cant change my mind. Hackamores or halters or GTFO. So in keeping with the condensed soup version, I learned bits are not evil, bitless can cause just as much damage, learn to ride and you won't hurt your horse.
The Bit-Bits:
FULL CHEEK SNAFFLE
When the Spotted Demon Pony and I trained in the Appalachians our trainer had us use a simple Full-Cheek Snaffle (this where I where I learned to stop worrying and love the bit). I liked that it gives me that extra pull when turning. I dont use this one like I use to, because of the next but I found, but first let me talk about...
D RING FRENCH LINK:
I liked the mouth piece, the French Link part, more than I like the D-Rings. I think they look nice and dont pinch like a loose O-Ring, but I wasnt ever in love with them.
I wished I could combine the big moving O-rings with the non-pinching full cheek with a French link mouth piece, oh wait...
FULMER FRENCH LINK
Oh look! I was so excited when I found this existed, this Frankenstein of convenience. It gives me that gentle but firm stopping power I needed, along with ability to turn off and on the forehand like I needed. This is probably my favorite bit 💕
TOM THUMB
I feel like this is gonna give me the most hell. How I got started with this bit was sort accidentally, bought a whole bunch of tack and this was in with. So I experimented one day after having a hell of a time with Spotted Demon Pony being a Spotted Butt-Butt at our new barn. So I used this. Using it helped me develop a softer hand and him to respond better on his neck reining. This another bit I haven't used in a long time, but you'll find in my tack room.
KIMBERWICK
My favorite thing about this bit is its versatility. I can change the severity of leverage (depending on Spotted Demon Pony's mood) or I can even use it as a D-Ring. Mostly I've used this one for jumping cause my boy can get a little heavy right before lift off and right after landing. So with my riding style, I can be softer in hand and the small pressure I give signals enough for him to slow TF down. I've used it on occasion for trail, but its definitely not my go to trail bit.
PELHAM
This is another bit I got in a tack haul and had no idea what it was until (thank god) I pointed it out at a show barn I was working at and one of the ladies explained it to me. I literally thought it was a gaited horse bit so I hadn't used it.
Out of all the bits I own, this one is the one I probably use the least. I love the idea of it, instead of two bits having one, but I just dont have need or training to use it as much as I would like to say I would. And everytime I have used it, we've kept it super simple. Though I get a great working walk outta him.
HACKAMORE WITH TWISTED GAG BIT
I almost didn't put this one on the list cause it's my least favorite and I haven't used it in over a year, but it's one of the few bits I've used under suggestion from a trainer. And talk about needing soft hands! I used it when I was looking for something to help me regain control after my Spotted Demon Pony decides to bolt like a Spotted Bat Outta Hell, but I first used it when I forgot to pack my normal bit (at the time was my Tom Thumb) for trail I had never been on with people and horses I had never met. So, I decided to use it. Nothing bad happened and I got good response from him (again, them soft soft hands). I used it a couple more times when we trail road by ourselves (cause barn sour is a thing). It definitely got the point across of no means no.
GERMAN HACKAMORE
This. This right here. I dont know how I made it this far riding in this thing. For almost 2 years if I wasn't riding in a halter I was riding in this. Which sounds magical and wonderful that a 12-14yr old riding on her young stallion (for those unaware, Spotted Demon Pony was Spotted Stud Muffin til he was 15, and that was for medical reasons) but dear god we almost died so many times. I still have our o.g. hack along with a custom one but, for whatever reason I have the absolute worst time stopping him in this type of hack. Dunno. It's most likely my fault, but I switched it up.
'INDIAN BOSAL'
This is a weird one. So I dont have an actual picture of mine, which is custom made, but this is a decent idea of what it looks like. I have seen soooooo many of these on sites like Etsy and what not, and thought I would try it out. For the most part it worked pretty good, my only issue was when Spotted Demon Pony really wants to fight it it takes more effort than I am comfortable with to get him to listen. I still have it, cause you know. Custom tack. But I probably won't use it anytime soon.
ENGLISH HACKAMORE
So this is my current go to for riding right now. Been using this particular one for about a year now and I absolutely love it. I had expected it to be less powerful than the German (which it's supposed to be?) but have had so much better success with than anything else. I use it for trail, jumping, everything. I get great turning and stopping ability. Its probably Spotted Demon Pony's favorite. Plus I paid like $5 for it.
In conclusion: I have used a lot of bits, including a few not mentioned here, have found, for my particular (and peculiar) pony I have have found his bipolar spotted ass may need a different bit for different occasions. I love my English hack, but sometimes he can be too strong (or too much of a Spotted Butt-butt) that for both of our safeties I need something a little stronger to get the message across. I'm not a professional trainer, this is just me talking about my horse.
Lookout for a mini-follow up showing him wearing some or all of these bits and hacks.