Chat
07-03-2016, 08:14 PM
The bridles with bits look much cleaner on their heads than those bulky halters. (Look at that pout on Sputnik's face! What a little sulker!)
Hihobaron: You can see on Finn that the bits are about 1/4" too big for them right now. They should fit perfectly by next year or even this fall. This is the perfect size for Cuzco. I'm not too worried about the bits being slightly too long since they're mullen mouths. There's no nutcracker action, and if the bit slides back and forth it should be ok since it slides smoothly. I just have to be careful not to pop the reins and bruise their cheeks, but it's important to be careful about this in any case. I checked both their mouths for any signs of cracking, bruising, or soreness after the drive and couldn't see any problems. I think the boys would have kicked up a fuss if the bits had been uncomfortable for them.
I guarantee it won't be long before they're opening up for the bits. Finn already almost did when I bridled him today! I bridled him yesterday just to try on the bit and make sure my headstall was the right size. It was a complete rodeo, cud spewed everywhere, and I had to be careful not to get whacked by those big horns. But when I brought the bridle up to his head today, he just stood there and let me do it without one bit of resistance, and the cud stayed in his mouth. He was chewing that cud ten seconds after I had the bridle fastened. Sputnik was a rodeo yesterday and today, but maybe slightly less violent today. He'll most likely sulk about this for a couple of days and then he'll be completely over it as his desire for cookies overcomes his aversion to a new piece of equipment (he takes a little while to get used to most things--not just bits).
Hihobaron: You can see on Finn that the bits are about 1/4" too big for them right now. They should fit perfectly by next year or even this fall. This is the perfect size for Cuzco. I'm not too worried about the bits being slightly too long since they're mullen mouths. There's no nutcracker action, and if the bit slides back and forth it should be ok since it slides smoothly. I just have to be careful not to pop the reins and bruise their cheeks, but it's important to be careful about this in any case. I checked both their mouths for any signs of cracking, bruising, or soreness after the drive and couldn't see any problems. I think the boys would have kicked up a fuss if the bits had been uncomfortable for them.
I guarantee it won't be long before they're opening up for the bits. Finn already almost did when I bridled him today! I bridled him yesterday just to try on the bit and make sure my headstall was the right size. It was a complete rodeo, cud spewed everywhere, and I had to be careful not to get whacked by those big horns. But when I brought the bridle up to his head today, he just stood there and let me do it without one bit of resistance, and the cud stayed in his mouth. He was chewing that cud ten seconds after I had the bridle fastened. Sputnik was a rodeo yesterday and today, but maybe slightly less violent today. He'll most likely sulk about this for a couple of days and then he'll be completely over it as his desire for cookies overcomes his aversion to a new piece of equipment (he takes a little while to get used to most things--not just bits).