You want to start training your four-legged friend and want to give him confidence in the bit right from the startConfidence in the bit. Choosing a suitable bit is important at every level of training, but especially at the beginning of training you can lay a foundation of trust.
Das Gebiss is the Communication channel between the rider's hand and the horse's mouth. The latter is one of the most sensitive points on the horse's head, which is why it must be handled with particular care. To make sure that the horse can be happy with a bit in its mouth, it is worth making an appointment with an equine dentist first. They can make sure that there are no sharp edges on the teeth that could be uncomfortable for the horse and can also advise you on the best way to deal with your young horse's changing teeth. Are there Wolf teeth present that may need to be removed? And how much space is there for a set of teeth? Are there any anatomical abnormalitiesthat I need to be aware of? The answers to these questions can help you and ensure that nothing stands in the way of training with dentures.
Step 1: Finding the right bit size
The first step to finding the right bit for your young horse is to find the right size. To find out the correct bit size, you can use our 2-finger test. To do this, place your index and middle fingers on top of each other at the point in the mouth where you want the bit to be later. After a short time, your horse will start to chew and you can check whether you can feel pressure on your fingers when the incisors are closed. If this is the case, we recommend Bit thicknesses of 14-16 mm. If you don't feel any pressure, you can also choose a larger bit size (e.g. 18 mm).
You can easily set the bit size with ourBit width gauge. As bits with fixed side pieces should fit close to the corners of the mouth, they are usually smaller than models with loose rings. You can see the respective size for both bit variants on the bit width gauge. You can also read about the individual steps in detail in the article 'How to find the right bit'.
Step 2: The right bit shape for young horses
For us, the optimum bit for young horses is clearly theKK ULTRA water snaffle. The straight bit shape is a true all-rounder and is also ideal for horses with large lips, as they cannot be pinched. The double jointed mouthpiece ensures even pressure distribution on the tongue, which many horses find pleasant. The KK ULTRA also has a number of special features: The Centerpiece has been shortened, which means that the joint eyes no longer sit directly over the lower jaw bars. In addition, the joints have been rotated forward by 45°, so that they no longer lie vertically on the tongue, but lie flat and are therefore much more comfortable in the horse's mouth.
All oursKK ULTRA bits are made from the SPRENGER alloySENSOGAN. This alloy of copper, manganese and zinc, specially designed for the horse's mouthspecifically stimulates the flow of saliva and thus the Chewing activityof the horsestimulates. This also makes the KK ULTRA water snaffle a good choice as a first bit for your youngster.
Dynamic RS bit for young horses
Does your horse have a particularly small, narrow mouth and/or a very thick tongue? Then the Dynamic RS bits may also be suitable. However, the shape of these bits exerts a little more pressure on the lower jaw and the more curved shape hugs the corners of the mouth. This makes the Dynamic RS bits unsuitable for horses with a lot of lips, as these can be squeezed between the bit and the first molar. So if there is enough space between the tongue and the palate, we recommend choosing the KK ULTRA bits.
TURNADO bit for young horses
Single jointed bits relieve pressure on the middle of the tongue when the reins are tightened and direct more pressure to the edges of the tongue. Horses that find pressure on the middle of the tongue uncomfortable prefer this bit shape to double jointed bits. The 45° rotation of the joint on SPRENGER bitsTURNADO bits provides an even contact surface for the bit and therefore differs from conventional single jointed bits. Our TURNADO models are also available from the SENSOGAN brand and will literally 'sweeten' your four-legged friend's new bit.
Why water snaffles for young horses?
The loose rings of the water snaffle allow the mouthpiece to slide up and down, so that movements, e.g. through a horse's mouth that is still restless, can be absorbed. For the same reason, this bit shape is also suitable for beginners, as the movement of unsteady hands is gently dampened and therefore does not reach the horse's mouth directly. You can read more about the water snaffle in the blog post 'The water snaffle - a gentle all-rounder for all levels of training'.
Bits for young horse training
If your offspring is already familiar with a bit in the mouth, you can switch to a Olive head bit switch. Due to the fixed side pieces the bit lies much more quietly in the mouth and can therefore have a positive effect on horses that play a lot with a water snaffle. The fixed side parts of an olive head snaffle also offer a slight Lateral limitation and therefore provide support when riding turns. In contrast to a water snaffle, the movements of the rider's hands and the horse's mouth are not cushioned by continuous rings and the Transmission of rein aid is therefore more direct.
PART OF YOUR PASSION.
