Blog Hop: Bit of Luck

I wish I had a magic bit. Something that my mule actually likes. Alas, I do not. I do, however, own an entire tupperware bin filled with bits.

Not pictured are the bits on the current bridles (a french link baucher on Shasta’s bridle, a brass french link on Nilla’s, and a copper roller curb bit on Dijon’s, and a gag bit on a spare bridle). We have tried multiple happy mouths, a mullen mouth, regular snaffles, french link snaffles, a wonder gag, various kimberwicks, some ported bits, and a Myler comfort snaffle.

Nilla hates all of them. The ones she has liked best are the copper kimberwick and the current brass french link. The kimberwick was used as a snaffle without a chain or hooks, but she seemed to like the copper. The brass snaffle I have on her now was my college horse’s bit; I’ve had it for over ten years. Shasta was using it before I stole it for Nilla because Shasta doesn’t care what bit you use.

I’m still not 100% sure I buy into the different metals being anything more than a marketing gimmick, but Nilla really does like this bit better than other ones. Even a completely identical snaffle in regular steel isn’t as good as this one. I don’t know who makes it and I’m not even sure where I got it, but this is one bit I’ll be keeping.

Shasta is usually ridden in a Dr. Cook’s bitless bridle. She really only gets a bit put on for jumping lessons. Nilla goes in an S-Hackamore for trail riding. Nilla would prefer to never have a bit, but that’s not really allowed in dressage.