3yr Old Tb Vs Bosal, Hackamore Or Bridle

[Tangled Tango]

well,  which would you start a fresh 3yr Tb in?  Why?  On the bosal I have seen many versions,  regular, loping, almost like a sidepull/half bosal.  On the hackamores I have seen simple rope to items that should be able to break the jaw!  What do you use?

Jill  

[Linda Baia]

hmmmmmmm... what is wrong with a full cheek snaffle ( french link) ????

If it is basic groundwork. I would use a "normal" webbing halter. If you need more control I would use a rope halter.

Then I would use a bridle with a full cheek snaffle for basic groundwork, then lunging.

But here on the continent we lunge straight from the bridle. I think in the UK, you use quite often a cavesson.

HTH, I am not sure how you want to use it, groundowrk? Lunging? riding?

[Jolene]

I like a nice sidepull - you can either get a double rope nose and cover it in vetrap to make it soft or one with a web nose or you can get rope halters with rings in the sides, but these often don't fit specific horses as well.  That way I can teach to flex to each side and do emergency one-rein stops, and it's something gentle while the horse is learning what being ridden is about, what that crazy person is doing up there, etc.  Then you can sling a bridoon holder underneath with a full-cheek snaffle and gently aid with that first, then back up with the sidepull rein until they have the message.  Started my first boy like this with great results.  Didn't work as well for restarting for second mare, she's just too spoiled for it and, frankly, I've run out of patience to make it work for her, which I could probably do if I devoted a lot more time to it.

[Tangled Tango]

Thanks Jolene,  That is the path I was thinking would be the best for a 3yr old with the attention span of a nat.  I do have a side pull, biothane one.   modeled after the Dr. Cook Bitless bridle I think.  However,  I find that the straps don't release after the pull so I am a bit leary to put this on such a greenie and hope he will understand.  I have seen the soft rope side pull nose bands,  but again, concerned that the quick release after a tug wouldn't be there,  the rope would bind and remain in tension.  Any suggestions?

Hi Linda,  nothing wrong with a full check (fulmer or otherwise).  I just prefer to give this colt the simplist gear to think about and work my way up.  Keeps those over-reactions to a minimum and probably keeps the aids clearer and simpler.  Eventually he will be in a bit as well although my preference runs to the Myler comfort snaffle with sleves for the super sensitives soles.  Haven't had any pinching with that bit.

Thanks for responding!!

Jill

 

[Jolene]

A regular sidepull doesn't have straps like that, it's like a beefed-up halter.  You pull one rein, noseband pushes from other side of the nose, you release, it falls back to neutral.  Think western sidepull.  If you don't want to use a crossunder, then don't.  Simple.