Question:
A trainer/friend is spending some time with a relative's foxtrotter and she has stated she has no experience with gaited horses, I am looking for some information on the proper bit this horse may need. The trainer is currently using a training bit/D-ring snaffle, and it just doesn't seem to be working. Any information would be greatly appreciated, and the sooner the better! Thanks for the help.
Answer:
It is hard to recommend anything without some background. How much training has this horse had? What is the trainer trying to accomplish? Is this a western or English type trainer?
In what way does the bit does not seem to be working? Is the horse running off in the bit? In that case he needs retraining. Is the horse chewing it and throwing his head around? Maybe a different bit is indicated. Many Fox Trotters do not like broken mouthed bits. The D ring is a good place to start with most horses, but with one that is uncomfortable in a broken mouthed bit, a different mouthpiece is needed.
Assuming the horse is a little green, I would suggest a mullen mouth snaffle (bar) or an unjointed Kimberwicke used without the chain, which makes it a solid mouth non-leverage bit. If the trainer is skilled in the use of one, a sidepull will also work for a green horse.
If the horse has had some training, he may be happier in a short shanked, low port curb.
Hope this is of some help.
Lee Ziegler