Margonme":1ux9awq3 said:
Bigfoot":1ux9awq3 said:
Pain from a bit would be operator error.
There are wire bits and saw bits, etc. When breaking draft horses with a "hard mouth" dad used some bits that worked on the concept that the discomfort would alter the horse to perform as desired. You know horsemanship far better than I do, maybe the practices I grew up with are no longer employed, is that the case?
Yes, to an extent much of what we used to hold true about breaking a horse has changed over the years. To be perfectly honest, I have wrapped bits in wire, and welded longer shanks on to the bit (when I was younger). Most people pursue a pressure and release approach now. The last few colts I've started, I've taken a flat nylon halter, and wrapped it with a light chain. Hooked my reigns to that. Gets them flexing at the poll, and thinking about stopping pretty quick. Not harsh on the mouth at all, and they learn fairly quickly where the harshness comes from. Both ended up with a pretty good set of breaks on them, by the time they came out of the round pen.