This week I have been learning a lot about bits and saddle fit. Bits are the tools that go in a horses mouth that helps you communicate with them. Saddle fit, is of course, proper fitting of a saddle on a horse's back. It's very similar to fitting a human for a shoe. Not all shoes are going to fit and if you get the wrong fit it'll be very uncomfortable and do more bad than good. Bits are extremely tricky. Christine came up and met my horse, Shannon, for the first time. Shannon is a good horse and progressing each day but she has a bad habit of throwing her head. We both weren't exactly sure why she kept doing it. It seemed to be out of bad habit.
Pat gave me a good answer the next time I saw him. He explained that the right bit can solve a lot of head throwing problems. He took me in his tack room and explained a lot about different bits. It's all about leverage. I was riding my mare with a Kimberwick bit with a high port. A high port is a bit that is straight but broken at the top. When the reins are pulled, the port hits the horse in its mouth. It's not exactly painful, though used incorrectly it can be very uncomfortable. I posted a picture of a Kimberwick bit below. Pat gave me a straight bit with no port and very little shank. I am going to let Shannon use it and see if she likes it and can get used to it.
Also worked Tuesday and Thursday morning ride this week. It's a little odd we're getting so many rides at this time of year as it's supposed to be the slow season. Can't complain though, horses are expensive and they have to earn their keep.
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