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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > General Gaited Horse Discussions > Misc. Gaited Horse Discussion > I Did It ..Thanks Brenda |
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Gaits of Gold Gaited Horse Community Messageboard > General Gaited Horse Discussions > Misc. Gaited Horse Discussion > I Did It ..Thanks Brenda |
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| I Did It ..Thanks Brenda | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Sun Apr 22nd, 2012 06:01 pm |
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1st Post |
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Lakota Ranch Hand 
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Well said. Sadly, I have also seen people spend more $ on well made but poorly engineered bits. Noellee, I have also found the Imus Comfort Gait bit to be an excellant choice for Quarter Horses. You might want to try yours in it. The horse I used it on almost couldn't walk, he did this little tip toe, pitty-patty thing and beyond that he would jump into a slow jog trot. With the Imus bit he learned how to lower his head and stretch out while flexing some at the poll & softened up nicely extending his stride. He learned how to do a nice 'working walk', and this was while in a rigid tree stock saddle too!  Last edited on Mon Dec 24th, 2012 04:11 am by Lakota |
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| Posted: Sun Apr 22nd, 2012 04:55 pm |
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2nd Post |
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NOELLEE G.O.G Community Member 
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I am a believer in seeing a horse advance to its proper bit based on training, advancement and where the horse settles in best with maturity. Of all five of our horses, not one is rode in any broken mouthpiece, two QHs are rode in a quality brand eggbutt low port snaffle, non-broken center... 2 QHs are rode in quality brand curb/shank bits... and Rain, my TWH, is rode in the IMUS comfort bit. Needless to say, we have no issues with head tossing, taking control of the bit, improper or un-natural head sets, or miscommunications from any of the horses. Rain totally rocks in his IMUS bit, no doubt about it. Of all our horses, he has the most energy output, fastest movement, and the most sensitive, precise handling. He loves the IMUS bit as well putting on an excellent performance with a light hand from me. I do get asked often what bit I am using, and it is interesting to hear bit discussions develop... but I will say this--I rarely see a TWH with Rain's output performing as well as he does. Is it partly him and I, oh yeah... but is also the bit doing its work too! It is a no-brainer, but you can't convince a tight wad that wants to just buy a $10 snaffle. I find that this is often the reason for not stepping up. I do sometimes see drool drops as they watch Rain's handle. Bottom line is, horse ppl need to realize a bit is one of the best investments to make with your horse. Many do, but sadly some do not. Last edited on Sun Apr 22nd, 2012 04:57 pm by NOELLEE |
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| Posted: Sun Apr 22nd, 2012 01:35 pm |
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3rd Post |
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crs trail rider Ranch Hand 
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Brenda- I participated in a clinic at our expo here in Va with another gaited trainer and he tried to tell me your bits were "trash" (yes he used that word) He was promoting gaiting only in a snaffle. Jenny hates a snaffle- I know because thats all I had when I got her - the Imus bit was on back order- and she was fussy and head tossing- and didnt gait well- I actually didnt go to the next clinic I had signed up for. I know Jenny very well- she was very nervous in the tent that the arena was set up in (it was windy and the the tent was "breathing" and it was freaking her out) and I have been in that situation with her and just needed a few minutes to get her calm- there is a way! Instead he made me get off (she was fine- just nervous- she wasnt going to blow up) and he gave her to his assistant and he proceeded to totally confuse her- she kept looking at me and I wasnt sure how to extract her gracefully. The assistant wasnt hurting her- just confusing her. Anyway- I chose to use MY common sense and ignore him and keep my horses in the comfort bit. She was very happy when he turned her back over to me. Interestingly enough- Jenny wraps the grass around the bit when she grazes with it in- Honey does not.... Must be the way Jenny uses her tongue when she eats. Or she is saving it for later- she always tries to grab the grass as I remove the bit....
____________________ Its rarely the horses fault- Its usually a failure of the rider to communicate their requests in a manner that the horse can understand. Lisa |
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| Posted: Wed Mar 7th, 2012 04:37 pm |
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4th Post |
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Lakota Ranch Hand
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Ha! So I shouldn't feel too bad when I have the same trouble trying to show/explain about your bit to die hard folks....
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| Posted: Wed Mar 7th, 2012 02:02 pm |
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5th Post |
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Brenda Im Pasture Boss 
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Thanks so much for the feedback. One of my biggest uphill battles has been trying to convince die-hard snaffle bit riders (believers) that a decent curb bit such as the ICB can be an humane and effectual aid for the gaited (and non-gaited) horse. I have one woman who reluctantly came to a clinic at her trainer's request. She also reluctantly agreed to try the ICB on her horse - also at her trainer's request. Her horse had never gaited properly, but we had her moving in gait in good form within an hour or so. She invited me up to work with her other horses, and they all improved dramatically with a change of tack. They stopped tossing their heads (they had been in 'wishbone' snaffles, which pinched their tongues). With two day's work, all five of her gaited horses were working very well. In fact, she ended up buying one of my very nice mares. About two years later, I heard the mare I'd sold her was for sale, and featured on YouTube. I thought she'd been a great match for this woman, and the mare had always been perfectly gaited. I checked out the YouTube video, and was amazed to see the mare would not gait, and was being ridden in a snaffle bit. I later learned the woman had been convinced by her group of riding friends, and favorite NH clinician, that my bit was 'inhumane,' and that she needed to ride with only snaffle bits. Made me realize that with some people, even seeing - and experiencing - is not enough to make them believe. I guess sometimes philosophy wins out over truth! PB 
____________________ It's not always about trying to fix something that's broken. Maybe it's about starting over and creating something better. |
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| Posted: Mon Mar 5th, 2012 02:41 pm |
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6th Post |
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crs trail rider Ranch Hand
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Dreamer- I use the comfort bit with my mares- and I too have wanted to go bitless- but more because I let them graze when we take a break (not always getting off just stopping to drink some water have a breather etc) and she gets grass wrapped around the bit. Because I do long rides grazing helps them get some water back into their guts and some natural electrolytes so I allow it when I say its ok- not when they want to- they learn quick to wait for permission- but while I can control my mare with a bitless bridle she doesnt gait as well- she hollows her back and sticks that nose up and UGH. So she wears the bit and I either get off and remove the bit hanger so she can eat or I just reach in and remove the excess grass.
____________________ Its rarely the horses fault- Its usually a failure of the rider to communicate their requests in a manner that the horse can understand. Lisa |
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| Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2012 11:37 pm |
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7th Post |
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slipslider G.O.G Community Member 
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yay!! for you and your horse. Isn't it wonderful when we find the answer to our problem!! I love her bits. I have two now and need two more! I use them on all my horses as i never have to worry that he bit is too harsh. No you are right we are never too old or too experienced to learn. Just glad you were willing to try, even if it did take a couple of years. Seems i have learned more in the last few years then i ever thought i would. Horses have a way of coming along and teaching us new things, just when we think we have it all figured out, lol.
____________________ LaVonne Summertime Stables, LLC Life's journey is not to arrive safely in a grave in a well preserved body But rather to slide in sideways, Totally worn out, Yelling......What a Ride ! |
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| Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2012 08:58 pm |
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8th Post |
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Lakota Ranch Hand
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That's great news! I'm so glad you went ahead and used the Comfort Gait bit. So many of us listen to the non gaited horse world about being kinder to our horses and that we should get rid of our bits. It gets us thinking that's the smart way to go and it's hard to see things another way. Personally, I really like the way Brenda explains in detail the hows and whys of the mechanical actions of her bit. It just makes so much sense to me, but I struggle with how to share this with my gaited friends in a way that they don't put up a wall to it. I'm glad you are having success and even more comfort & long term health for your horse.
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| Posted: Sun Mar 4th, 2012 04:13 pm |
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9th Post |
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Dreamer G.O.G Community Member 
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It all finally came together after reading Brenda's training tips over and over how to collect my horses. Believe me I am not a beginner rider. I have over 50 years in the saddle and have had gaited horses for over 10. I really thought my horses were gaiting correctly until last summer I got white spots on the back of my 1/2 Rocky 1/2 Paso horse Chino. I was using a hackamore and had total control, but he was hollowing his back while in gait.. I started using a snaffle last fall and now changed to the comfort bit and it was a gosh darn miracle!!! A super quiet 4 beat gait. He was constantly rubbing the sides of his mouth with every other bit I tried. I am embarrassed to say the Comfort bit was hanging in my tack room for years, the long shanks had me spooked. I am not a bit lover and always feel if my horses are in control without one that much better for them.. You are never too old to learn and change. I will always be trying to improve the wonderful animals that I own to go in their natural easy going gaits with the comfort bit. Thanks for your great gift of helping us learn...
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