Just moved!

Wow! What a lot of work!

But I'm at my new location!

Just painting and moving.... painting and moving...

Can't wait to move the horses!

Will write soon!

Reinersue

Ontario Equestrians Learn to Lessen Their Hoofprint on the Landscape

Tuesday, Apr.14th Ontario Farmer
"Workshops show owners how to be proactive in tackling the industry's environmental impact". by Karen Dallimore

Here's a quote to explain: "There's a new program being developed to help horse owners reduce their hoofprint on the environment. It's a workshop called Healthy Lands for Healthy Horses and it is the result of partnerships among conservation authorities, horse groups and the farming community. The goal is to provide access to resources for horse owners who are concerned about their role in environmental stewardship, including access to funding and educational resources."

The article goes on to say:"Partners at this time include Equine Guelph, Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, University of Guelph, Ontario Trail Rider's Association, Uxbridge Horsemans' Association, the Credit Valley, Lake Simcoe Region Central, Lake Ontario and Kawartha Conservation Authorities and OMAFRA....

The Healthy Lands for Healthy Horses workshop will be available again in 2010 but the free technical and financial assistance to the equine community is on going.....

For more information about the program contact Melanie Williams at the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority at 416-661-6600, ext. 5349 or ruralwater@trca.on.ca."

It's an interesting article that talks about getting help for things like pasture management, manure or nutrient management, planting trees, encouraging wildlife habitats and using trails responsibly. They can also talk about the impact to the environment on bedding and feed choices and the energy use around the farm. They even talk about the energy used going to and from horse shows.

If anyone gets the Ontario Farmer, it's page B5.

Let me know if anyone has been to this workshop! I would love to know what was said.

Thanks to Brad Hopkins for pointing this article out to me.
Questions and comments are always welcome.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Whisper bit

 A Western Plastic Bit

Tim McQuay is supporting a new type of mouthpiece called the Whisper bit.

HorseTackReview.com has a review from Tim and Colleen on this new plastic mouthpiece.  It comes in 2 lengths of shanks and a D-ring snaffle.

Here's a brief description:

“It definitely looks different,” says National Reining Horse Association All-Time Leading Rider, Tim McQuay, when asked about the new Whisper Bit. He adds, “But it works!”

"The revolutionary design of the Whisper Bit features a mouthpiece made of firm but pliable plastic. It comes in long and short aluminum shanks, as well as a D-Ring snaffle. Not only does this bit look different, the feel is unusual, as well. The plastic does not pick up cold like traditional mouthpieces and horses seem to prefer the less intimidating surface".

I will be curious to know how a plastic mouthpiece will do in the western world; especially reining. I do not have a Whisper bit. I will be watching this one to see how well it works. Does anyone have one?

I tend to find those rubber or plastic mouthpieces are too thick for the small horses that I ride. I would like to know what that plastic must taste like to the horse. And will it create barbs like other plastic bits.

Stay tuned.

Putting my spin on bits - 1 new idea at a time!
Questions and comments are always welcome.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Reinersue

©Copyright KISS Reiners

A Ruined Mouth

Larry Trocha just sent a great newsletter about ruined mouths. I think that fits in well with the series of articles I have done on bits so I thought I would include the link here. I think you will find it very helpful.

Here's part of the article: "Have you ever seen a horse with a ruined mouth?
It’s easy to spot.
The horse will GAP his mouth whenever the rider applies the reins.
He might also CHEW or CHOMP on the bit anxiously.
It’s a condition I call “WORRIED MOUTH”.
There are other variations of ruined mouths too.
One is the rock-hard, RIGID JAW or HARD MOUTH.
And the other is what is called a FALSE MOUTH."

He goes on to say ....
"Worried Mouth
Worried mouth is a condition usually found in young colts.... The problem is usually caused by PRESSURE being applied to a horse's mouth BEFORE he has become ACCUSTOMED to the snaffle bit. ....AND ideally, it should be done with just a HALTER BEFORE ITS DONE WITH A BIT."

"Rigid Jaw
No need to do much explaining as to what rigid jaw is....What causes a horse to have a hard, rigid mouth?
There's only ONE cause... the horse is consistently being ridden by a rider who doesn't know how to use his hands.....I know that's brutally blunt but very, very few riders have any idea about how their hands should work."

"False Mouth
If your horse gives to your hands by bringing his chin all the way back to his chest, he has a condition referred to as a "false mouth".
In other words, the horse has learned to EVADE the bit."

Very, very good information.
I encourage you to join Larry's email list for his newsletter.
He can be blunt.... but he's good.

Enjoy!
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Correctional Bit

The

Most

Common

Reiner

Bit

I have several of these correctional mouthpieces in my collection. I would believe it's the most common type of mouthpiece for reiners.

It was originally called a correctional because it offered great tongue relief and a bit of palate pressure (if port is 2.5"+ high) and with the swivel shanks, it allows for lateral work. Or corrections.

The bit on the left is a Bob Avila Correctional by Professional Choice. And the bit on the right, is a Bill Freeman Correctional with Balls and Ears.

Unique Feature

The unique feature about the correctional is the knobs at the bottom of the upside down U or port. This will create pressure points on the horse's tongue which gets the horse to flex at the poll more easily. It also helps with collection.

Horse Has Completed Their Training

This bit is obviously for a horse that has completed their training in a snaffle and a simpler curb bit and is ready for more advanced training. The advanced training would be for the rider to have lighter hands and therefore more sutler rein cues.

Advanced Horsemanship

Also, with that too... as I just wrote.... the rider is learning or is ready to advance their training where they are able to learn to use lighter and lighter rein cues. The mark of a skilled horse person.

I really like the correctional mouthpieces that have the copper rollers along the bars. Again, this acts like a pacifier similar to the Billy Allen. It also has a slight delay in the curb action as the bit rolls along the tongue; also like the Billy Allen.

1st Few Years As A Finished Horse

This is the bit that I usually keep a horse in during their 1st few years reining. Of course as long as the horse is comfortable and responsive, I will stay in that bit.

I want to use any bit that works for the horse at this point in their finished training that will keep the horse responsive and will keep my hands light. I have very light hands to begin with... my hands are physically very small and so I am able to use a stronger bit to send the most of light signals to my horse. (I don't want to develop rough or hard hands. That translates into a hard mouth on the horse.)

I also like this bit for any other finished horse as it still allows me to do lateral work... fix a shoulder leaning.... flex laterally to remove resistance.... work on collection...... that's why it is called a correctional.

My Intro to the Correctional Bit

When I first started into the reining and bought a correctional, it was because all the reiners were doing it. All the reiners were using a correctional. It was the thing to do.

What I was surprised to feel was how responsive and light the horse was with this mouthpiece. I had never felt this before. It was an incredible feeling. It's hard to describe a total lack of resistance in the horse's mouth. 'Like a hot knife through butter'. It was incredible. I definitely wanted to preserve that and so I am always careful to be light.

A rider could make corrections and yet the bit would also be a solid curb for one handed light rein cues. A great all around bit for a finished horse!

Questions and comments are always welcome.

If you have any questions or comments, please do so.

Reinersue

©Copyright KISS Reiners

More About Billy by Larry

Larry Trocha has a good evaluation and comment to say about the Billy Allen mouthpiece bit from his website. I have repeated it here: "The next bit in the sequence is my favorite transition bit. It’s a loose shank bit with what is called a “Billy Allen” mouthpiece. (Billy Allen was a top trainer who invented this mouthpiece many years ago. The design has stood the test of time as one of the best bits ever invented).What I like about this bit is that it gives the horse the “feel” of being ridden with a curb without scaring the horse. The reason why is because the Billy Allen mouthpiece moves and is flexible similar to a snaffle.
The difference is, the Billy Allen mouthpiece has a "roller" that is molded over the middle joint. This roller "limits" the movement of the mouthpiece.
The horse gets the feel of a mouthpiece that is almost "solid" like a regular curb bit yet still has some "flex" to it.
This semi-solid mouthpiece gives you a lot of control without scaring or worrying the horse. Most horses love this bit and you can usually leave a horse in it for most of his training.
Most horses, I’ll ride with the 8” shanks. The super sensitive ones, I’ll ride with the 7” shanks.

This is also the primary bit I use to teach a horse to neck rein.

The loose shanks and flexibility of the mouthpiece allows me to use a direct rein to position the horse’s head before I apply the neck rein. It’s very easy and very effective. (You can see how I do this in my “Teach Your Horse to Neck Rein” video).

You can teach a horse a lot in the Billy Allen. And some horses work so well in it that you can keep them in it for years. However, most horses will eventually need to be moved up into a regular, solid-mouthpiece, curb bit."

I really like reading Larry's information. I like his stuff. I have his german martingale and most of his videos. I really like it. I like what he said about teaching a horse to neck rein. It is a really good bit for that too.

Next article... a good correction.

Questions and comments are always welcome.
If you need information about a bit, please contact me. I love to talk about bits.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Billy Allen Bits - A Good Transition

Ready To Move Up To the Curb - Billy Allen

The billy allen bit is one staple in my bit collection for training and for recommending to students to use when moving up to a small to medium shanked bit. I usually use the billy allen mouthpiece on short to medium length of shanks though you can find the mouthpiece on just about any type of snaffle or curb.

The bit on the right (that I use for showing) is described as "Avila Straight Roller Bit by Professional's Choice
The mild mouthpiece and short shank in the Avila Straight Roller make this a very gentle bit. The sweet iron mouthpiece with copper roller is curved just slightly to offer tongue relief for the horse's comfort." (As described on Rod's website.)

The roller or barrel will prevent the mouthpiece from splitting and therefore preventing the nutcracker affect. The roller also acts as a pacifier, getting horses to salivate and relax. It's great for those very oral horses. I find that it really relaxes horses.

I like this as the 1st or second curb bit to try on a horse when moving to the curb bit. I like the swivel shanks. It still allows the rider to be able to do lateral work (flex laterally). The mouthpiece will swivel or turn inside the barrel. It's great for lifting shoulders.

It's also a great bit for going from 2 handed to one-handed. Both sides of the bit will work together with the solid-like mouthpiece. And will allow a rider or trainer to go back to 2 hands when they need to.

I find most horses really like this bit. It's soothing to them. I usually try this bit on a new horse if I'm not familiar with their background.

Too Popular of A Bit - I guess?

Many years ago I was working my horses at a boarding stable and found that my Billy Allen bit was missing. I searched everywhere including my truck, thinking I had not brought the bit inside the barn.

You know.... how you 2nd guess yourself. Did I?.... didn't I?..... humm.....

Well I had found out from the 'grape vine' that someone who has just left the barn had decided to leave with a 'going away present' of my Billy Allen bit.

So be careful.... the Billy Allen bit is quite popular.

Next article I will talk about one of my most common mouthpieces.... the correctional.

Questions and comments are always welcome.

If you need any help with bits, please feel free to contact me.

Reinersue

©Copyright KISS Reiners

Green Horse + Green Rider = Bad Combination

I was just sent an excellent article on why teaming up a green horse (little to no training) and a green rider (little to no training) can spell disaster. I really do recommend a green rider be teamed up with an experienced horse to greatly increase their chances of a pleasant experience while they learn to ride.

And that's so important.

Experienced horses, to me, are worth every penny you spend on them.

Here's the article from http://www.horsetrainingsuccess.com/ :
"Could You Stay On?
2009-04-10 04:00:50-04
The worst horse-human combination possible is a green or young or unbroken horse and a beginner/novice rider. The idea that the untrained horse and the new rider will 'grow together' is one of the most believed, but most dangerously wrong ideas that floats around in the horse world.
Let me break it down for you. Green horses (horses with little training) have the least experience of humans, being ridden, and what they are expected to do. In contrast, an older, much handled, well trained horse has 'seen and done it all'. Which one is more likely to spook unexpectedly and which is likely to be the more predictable? Which one is ideal for learning to ride?
If you are still figuring out how to ride a trot and get your horse to slow down, the last thing you need thrown into the mix is a giant leap sideways and a buck or two.
In short, a beginner rider is unlikely to be able to ride through something like this:(YouTube Video of a horse freaking out and the rider doing a remarkable job of staying on. No further comment on the silly plastic bag nonsense that kicked it all off)
And to be quite frank, if you're not able to stay on like the person in that video, in my opinion you shouldn't be on a green horse.
Until you're able to ride at walk, trot and canter WITHOUT stirrups, you probably don't have 'an independent seat'. In plain English that means that your balance on horseback isn't good enough (yet) to be able to not get hurt by a horse that freaks out.
While there are always exceptions to the rule, what I am trying to say is that the safest way to learn to ride is on a safe horse. Then when you can ride, move onto the greenies. I mean, why put yourself in harms way? "

I couldn't say it better myself!

Questions and comments are always welcome.
If you have any questions about purchasing a horse, please contact me.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

More Simple Mouthpieces in Bits

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Another Jointed or Simple Mouthpiece

Larry Trocha has some good information on bits. Both photos shows a simple jointed mouthpiece, like the ones shown in the last article only these bits are curb bits.

You attach the reins to the end of the very short shanks and use a chin strap/chain which is attached to the top reins. So it will have a bit of leverage action. I normally use a chin strap rather than chain when I am 1st introducing this bit to a horse.

In My Inventory of Bits
I'm a big collector of bits. These short shanked, simple jointed mouthpiece bits were a staple in my collection. I use these types of short shanked curb bits a lot but with a different mouthpiece. They are often referred to as 'transition' bits.
It's usually the 1st type of curb bit that I introduce a horse to.

It's great to teach horses in their foundation training to accept or understand how leverage works. Particularly if they are used to a snaffle that has a  small ported mouthpiece to start with.

Other Uses
I also use these short shanked bits for types of riding where I will use my hands a lot.
I use these types of bits for team penning where I have to direct my horse quickly to follow the cow. The bit on the right is the shank I use for team penning. I also use this shank on my reining horses when I use them at pennings to herd cattle or change the cattle.
I also use these types of shanks for riding in the open where I want a bit more security with the curb or leverage action (if I need to) rather than a snaffle.
Nutcracker Effect
I do want to mention that the jointed mouthpiece does have a nutcracker effect on the bars and the tongue. Ouch. This means that when the reins are pulled tight, the mouthpiece will bend in 1/2 at the joint causing the cheekpieces and shanks to pinch either side of the horse's face. Or the lower jaw will be put in a vice between the shanks. Not good....
So that is why the simple, jointed mouthpiece is meant to be used either very lightly (with little or no contact with the reins) or with 2 hands so as to prevent the nutcracker effect. Not always an easy thing to do so I avoid it.

I use a short shanked bit like the one's pictured above but with a small port with a roller for a mouthpiece. I only follow the Myler Bitting System philosophy. fyi The bit on the right, I now use as a decoration in my bathroom!

Next article I will talk about one of my favorite transition bits. My buddy Billy Allen.

Questions and comments are always welcome.
If you have any questions or stories to tell, please comment.
If you need any help with bits, please contact me.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Simple Mouthpieces in Bits

Today we'll look at some different mouthpieces and how they are used. It's impossible to look at them all so let's look at a common one.

Simple or Jointed Mouthpiece Snaffle

Everyone is familiar with the jointed or simple mouthpiece. (See photo above on left of an egg-butt snaffle). I have an interesting story about the egg-butt snaffle....

Pancakes and Talking Bits

Just today I was with some clients enjoying the Easter holiday by eating pancakes and going on a wagon ride. It was quite an adventure. It was a beautiful day. (Thanks Bob & Jackie :)

Someone on the ride asked me if I were familiar with Myler bits and whether I thought they were good. I like Myler bits. They make all kinds. (Photo on right is a Myler Off-Set D-ring snaffle with sweet iron mouthpiece with copper inlays).

I use a similiar off-set D-ring snaffle to start all my horses. I find it works well with my hands. I try to keep the horse in this bit for all of their 2 yr. old training if I can. Or their foundation training.

Back to the story...... This person was not very familiar with the different kind of bits or Myler bits and said that she just preferred to use her egg-butt snaffle. It works so why change?

This lady has shown on the english circuit for many years; was familiar with using an egg-butt snaffle and was quite comfortable using it. She has found a bit she likes and it works well for her.

The Thicker the Mouthpiece, The Milder the Bit

I don't tend to use the common egg-butt snaffle as I find the thickness of the mouthpiece too much for my horses. Too much... So I mean it's too mild ....

I don't find the horse very responsive after a short time using it. I find I have to use my hands too much. I want my horses to eventually respond to little or no pressure from the reins or little to no contact. So I prefer a bit simliar to the Myler shown above.

So the good point is.... to use a bit that works well for you.

More mouthpieces next article.

Questions and comments are always welcome.
If you have any questions about bits, please feel free to contact me.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners

Never a Bit of Pain

The

Fear

of

Bits

When humans fear something, we tend to stay away from it. And that includes using bits that would benefit our horsemanship skills and the horse's skills. And that's sad.... really.
The bit on the right for example, when ready, would perfect and maintain the mastery reinsman skills obtained by a rider who's dedicated years to their craft. (Bit by Terry Burton). My hat is off to the vaqueros who spent years training a horse to the skill level required to be able to use this Hill Frog bit with perfection. Truly a work of art!

The bit on the left is a snaffle bit with a bicycle chain mouthpiece. Ouch. It even sounds harsh.
 I've even seen a barbed wire snaffle. Yikes! It's a snaffle bit so it must be mild..... right?
A lot of people would say that a snaffle is milder than a curb bit. So this bicycle chain bit is milder than the Hill Frog curb bit on the right? right? ....humm.......

Anything in the Wrong Hands
Any bit, even the snaffle bit pictured above could cause pain in the wrong hands. Even the mildest of bits could be used as a weapon. The rider's hands or unskilled hands could do quite a bit of damage to a horse's mouth if they intended it.

Any bit could cause pain in the wrong hands no matter what the mouthpiece.

So the point is not to use a bit to cause pain..... period....

"But I don't see why I can't stay in a snaffle bit"
I had a student recently ask me several times over a course of a lesson why they couldn't stay using a snaffle bit to do reining maneuvers. The student wanted to show this year in reining in Ontario and couldn't see why they couldn't show in a snaffle.
The student went on to explain that they heard that natural horsemanship was about snaffles and no spurs. They knew I'm a big advocate of effective horsemanship and was surprised that I mentioned to move up to a curb bit when possible.

One item I mentioned to the student was that showing reining in Ontario required by the rules was to show the horse in a bridle (which means a curb bit). (ORHA does have snaffle bit classes but that is a special case).

Shawn Flarida told me once a few years ago that he would keep all his horses in a snaffle if he could but the rules require us to show in a curb bit.
So I stated that since showing reining requires a curb bit to be used, it's a good idea to progress a horse's and a rider's skill up to the curb bit level when possible. Part of the small goals to get to the big goal of showing reining in Ontario would be to move up to a curb bit and perform all the maneuvers in a curb bit.

"But a curb bit can cause pain" the student commented. Here's the fear or ignorance talking.... I mentioned that any bit in the wrong hands can cause pain even a snaffle.
Other Reasons to Stay In a Snaffle Bit
I also mentioned that staying in a snaffle bit is fine for other sports that use snaffles like team penning or polo, for example, where they use 2 hands, and have quick and frequent movements with their hands.

If someone wanted to just ride for recreation and their skill level is at the snaffle bit, 2 handed stage and they are quite happy to be at that level.... then great.... they can stay using a snaffle.If it works well... then great! I can do all the reining maneuvers on my show mares in a snaffle. Just can't show in a snaffle. Although.... I wouldn't be progressing or my horses wouldn't progress if I stayed using a snaffle. See below.

"We try to use the mildest bit we can that's effective to save the sensitivity of the horse's mouth".


Reason's to Move Up to A Curb Bit
Other than for showing.... if a rider wanted to improve their horsemanship skills (reinsman skills) and move up to using 1 hand, then a rider needs to move up to a curb bit.
You can certainly ride 1 handed in a snaffle.... for sure.... But to keep your hands light and quiet.... like the masters do..... you need to use a curb bit to send an effective signal to your horse what you would like them to do.
Some would still argue... and that's ok :)... that they can still be effective using a snaffle for the most advanced maneuvers including reining. .... true enough.... I can do that with my horses. But over time..... the horse will 'dull up' or become less responsive to the snaffle to the point where the snaffle no longer becomes effective.

It's all about effectiveness.

And then you have to constantly tune them up or lighten them up to be effective. And that means constantly correcting them all the time. What fun is that? For them or you!?!

And remember that snaffles were designed to be used with 2 hands... not 1. They were designed to be used with frequent hand movement. Primarily for direct reining.
Also, if someone wanted to improve the skills or training on a horse so that the horse is able to perform their work with the rider using 1 hand, then a horse can be moved up to a curb bit after they have perfected their job as best they can in a snaffle bit.


So it really depends on where the rider wants to be or is at with their skills. And where the horse is at and where the horse is intended to be when they are fully trained as to whether a snaffle or curb bit is the final bit used.

So! You can see that it has nothing to do with inflicting pain or not on a horse. It's about advancing you and your horse's skill level to where you want to be and need.

Yourself, my students and horses never need to fear causing pain to a horse. Just get educated and be aware!!! Don't be fooled into thinking that staying in a snaffle will solve the problem of never causing pain to your horse. You just might be causing pain to your advancement in your riding skills!!

Next article, I will talk more about some of the more common mouthpieces that I use and recommend and what they are used for. Snaffles and curbs! :)

Questions and comments are always welcome.
If you have any concerns about using the wrong type of bit, please contact me and I will help you.
Reinersue
©Copyright KISS Reiners