I have a 12 year old paint gelding named Cozmo and a 8 year old paint gelding named Gunner which I bought from a sell about a month ago in KC MO. I have questions on what types of bits or hacks to use on both of them.
First is Cozmo; he had terrable teeth when we bought him, some was broke off, most all shape and of course, wolf teeth. My vet took care of all that fixed him up real nice and I gave him about 2 weeks off to heal and adjust to his new mouth, look much better now and I can tell he feels better too! Couldn't believe the people that sold him (cattle company people) was riding him in a very small twisted wire snaffle, he looked in pain when the constently was jerking and pulling on his mouth, poor baby! Well yesterday I went ahead and was working him in my arena in a regular D ring snaffle and he chomps on it, very stiff and not real flexable, and all over the place. He tosses his head when you go to put the bridle on, bobs his head when you go to put the bit in his mouth, just does not like bits and I understand why. This horse seems to be one who has been so man handled and worked into the ground that he is just fed up. However, he is a sweetie pie and will do what ever you ask him to do under saddle or tries to comply with the bit the best he can and to his ability and willing to please 110%. So in this case, I was wondering what you would suggest? Keep him in the D ring, another bit of some sort or change to a hack? He rides in a halter wonderfully but I can't really work on his flexing and bending in one as he is so terrably stiff I need more control to get him to bend but don't want to be pulling on his mouth and a hack just won't work for that. Plus I decided to use him for trails and even though he rides in a halter, I want more control then that. I maybe compleatly wrong and have never really rode in anything besides a D ring snaffle so I need advice.
Then we have Gunner, he is a spirited boy with alot of go and fussy some-what stops. Likes to keep his feet moving and really covers some ground in a short amount of time. I am currently riding him in a D ring snaffle but it seems as if its not quite enough for him as he just pulls aginst it, and keeps moving 50% of the time. He is also pretty stiff and I want to get the one rein stop down on him because he is the type that if he spooked at something he would make that a chance to bolt and act crazy. Not a bad horse but one who if you don't keep him in check he will test you. What do you suggest I use on him? I plan on training him for barrels and poles.
Both need worked on the ground and learn to flex and give there first of course, but I want the right bit that will work for them before I start their training.