The Best Horse Bit!

[KFrost-fxdt]

I've been on teams doing precision drills one-handed, neck-reining, slack-reined, at full speed with 13 year old kids in complete control! Gentle bits are awesome! Horses are smart sensitive animals. They will do what you want without pain or force. I love this!

[missbecky]

Thank you for such an informative video on bits. I’ve said all my life it’s not necessary to hurt a horse and you’ve proved my point. ❤️❤️❤️

[zentaurianriding]

Excellent. Thank you for making this excellent video in spreading deeper UNDERSTANDING. If you don't understand how stuff works, you can't think for yourself and you become the victim of 'barn-rumors', if all flies eat shit, it's got to be right, right? I highly appreciate the crucial points made: #1: First, always know that your horse is pain-free: dental + rest of body (saddle fit, form ridden in). Listen to the horse, if any weird behavior, ask why, and find the underlying cause. Don't assume the horse is 'disobedient' - their nature is to cooperate, so when they don't, something is off in how they have been or are handled, in the widest sense. #2: Soft bits is the choice for any and all ridden horses. Understand what makes a bit soft - or not, and its actions in the mouth. If the horse cannot be ridden with a soft bit, train yourself, and train your horse. Thank you for this video.

[denelll.bennettsurvivorwar]

*French Link bit! Looks humane and gentle on the Horse’s mouth!*

[loveforall]

I use to believe that bitless was the only way and should be the goal of every horse owner. That was until I got my 13 year old Gypsy Vanner. I bought every bitless bridle under the sun for him. He would get anxious, toss his head and just hated them all, including riding in a halter. I got him a correctly fitting French link and he is a different horse. Calm, relaxed on the trail and no pain response, just a happy little camper. No head tossing, tail swishing, nothing. Every horse is different, if you truly listen to them they will tell you what they prefer. I will never say no to any piece of equipment until I first ask my horse what he thinks about it, not what people think about it.

[d.williams]

Toilet Paper Rollers!!...(Hot Damn)!....

[randolphlearning]

Once again a good practical video thanks Ted.

[erynd]

When I found out how ghastly the Tom Thumb bit was, I pulled it out and threw it in the trash. Those things are terrible.

[laurenpaterson]

Glad I came across this video. I have been trying to decide what the best bit ( or possibly will go bitless) would be to start training my horse. We haven't got that far yet but I want to get educated on it first and to get him a bit that will be the most comfortable but also something that he will respond to but not out of sheer pain.

[octoberjubilee]

I'm all for the gentle approach and never am purposefully harsh with my horse. What we don't know can harm either us or the animal. Sorry to say, before I knew about the tom thumb, I let a trainer use it on my mare and, I continued to use it. I used it when I went for a trail ride, I came back and my horse had blood in her mouth. That is how I learned about the tom thumb...I bawled my eyes out and to this day, I still feel awful when I think about it. Needless to say, I stopped the video when you pulled out the tom thumb because I just couldn't hear it...yes, it is a torture devise and I will never, ever use it or anything that harsh again! Now, I use a French link snaffle (I ride alot off my leg and try to have the softest hand) and am considering the curb tier drop (maybe with a low port, but I like the 3 piece). I really, really hope and pray I did not do permanent damage (nerve pain damage) to my horse's mouth. If someone is reading this and uses a tom thumb in their horse's mouth, I hope you seriously reconsider. Thank you, sir for the information.

[younggunspullingteam]

I just purchased this bit for my daughters horse a few weeks ago…. we bought him last September… he was uncontrollable & always shaking his head no matter what bit we used… this bit has made a HUGE difference… he’s a totally different horse & has no issues taking this bit…. I’m glad I came across this video!!!

[elizabethturner]

So right. I hate Tom thumbs. Good design so important

[mitjademitrijcernac]

Learn one thing - it is not the bit that is sharp, but the rider with his/her hands. I ride on full cheek (as ridden by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna) and I hold both reins with my little finger.

[zaydenregula]

Does anyone know where I can buy this exact french link he shows?

[JRoyal-xxzj]

Fantastic! I often ride with only a halter. These bits make perfect sense if you use a bit!

[cubnation]

I have a mare who really has a sensitive mouth. I use a French-link-snaffle, and she loves it!

[daniel_moretti]

Wish you made one with a copper roller for the French link

[amberboston]

Those two joints look like they pinch the bars when one rein is pulled. How does it work?

[mcdart]

Imagine that, not using your hands a nasty bit and a barrel full of devices and tools (I’m talking to you, martingale and side reins) as an excuse for poor horsemanship.

[elaineluikart]

We rode a friends horses and she used Tom thumb that we refused to use. We rode with a French snaffle
After about the 3rd ride the 10 year old mare she was afraid to ride, when my daughter held the D ring snaffle up to her to put on, the "cranky old mare" reached out and took the bit in her mouth before my daughter was even ready. I have never seen a horse do that.