Bits for starting a youngster in?

[maggiesmum]

So whilst I'm with Heather on the Pelham thing for re-schooling horses mouths what would everyone choose to start a youngster in?
Maddie is 4 in may and whilst i'm not in a rush and most of the work will be done from the cavesson to start with I'm not sure what bit to go for, conventional yards always seem to go for loose rings but I wonder if something that sits more still in the mouth i.e. eggbutt or full cheeks would be better?
Any preferences on metals? or even nathe type materials? 

[ParisDiamond]

Well, I use a happy mouth straight bar white rubber bit on my youngster and she's been just great with it.  She grabbed it when I first approached her, chewed a few times when she was first tacked up, then has been like an old pro in it ever since.  I'm going to leave her in it unless I see a reason to change it.  She's rising 3 and going out ride and lead twice a week, she respects the bit, but is also happy in it.

[DollysMum]

I have a Happy Mouth for Kai which so far is working well

[ChrissieW]

I've got a straight bar Happy Mouth with cheeks for Daisy.     She's been perfectly happy to take it and very settled in her mouth, although I have to admit I haven't actually "worked" her in it, she's just worn it on walks, but not led off it.

She has made it very clear that a metal bit is not acceptable to her at this stage, otherwise I would have tried her with the Neule Schule lozenge full check bit that I have.

[Larri DB]

I mouth mine in an old narrowish vulcanite mullen mouth eggbutt and used to use it for all the early work, but neither Bally or Ziggy would accept it so they went straight on into a NS lozenge. Bally prefers a half cheek and Ziggy has a loose ring

Both Dee and RD are fine with the old eggbutt bit.

I wouldn't use a Happy Mouth as the straight bar is not BD legal if it has the nobbles, so I only ever use a bit that I CAN use if you see what I mean

[winnieandben]

Didnt know that about Happy Mouth bits    I am not at all interested in BD but just assumed that would be a legal bit 

[ChrissieW]

Nor did I, although I hate straight bar bits, so Daisy will be moved into a jointed happy mouth or hopefully one of my Sprenger bits eventually. I'm pandering to her a little as mouth and nose are her issue areas so trying to keep things low key.

[catkin]

I don't like the Happy mouths as youngsters are inclined to chew them and then the bits get rough edges - so I'm mean and try them in metal bits, usually some version of a full cheek to start with (one of my TBs had this one all his working life of 20 odd years!!) though they are such individuals that they all like different sorts. There are some nice jointed ones about that have curved mouthpieces so they sit nicely in the mouth.

[Equestrian Insight]

I've got a nice Sprenger Duo - it's plastic but not too fat and is nicely shaped.

[kezshad]

Myself and jenb had a lady out to do a bitting consultation today with Elaine Sutcliffe from White Rose Equestrian, Chesire.

I'd thoroughly recommend her as she is incredibly knowledgeable and changed the way of going tenfold for Shadow and Gazdag was just superb as always

Knowing how wrong my bit was for Shadow was quite a shock as he hadn't been going to badly I thought, but the lightness and then steadying and lengthening of his walk steps instead of his scuttling along was quite something.

Consultation was £40 including travel and then the cost of the bit obviously too.

[ros]

Would be interested to know what she switched Shadow from and to? 

[pale muzzle]

I bitted my youngster in a vulcanite (sp?) straight bar-loose ring, when he settled in the mouth I changed it to a full cheek, french link.  He seams fine with this although at the moment he's still being long reined from the caverson.  I've walked him in hand with the full cheek and he is fine.  He's really getting the hang on long lining so it won't be long til I try him off the bit.