Cole Jamieson Most folks would call this one a shanked snaffle or Argentine snaffle.  This one works off of leverage and should have a curb strap so that when the reins are pulled, the curb contacts the horse's lower jaw and sort of clamps down on it.  There isn't a lot of leverage with this one so the clamping pressure isn't severe.  I like these types of bits and I'll use them to transition a horse to leverage.  I have to say, though, I'm not crazy about this particular bit because it looks like the horses lips can get pinched where the shank connects to the mouthpiece.  That will cause the horse's head to go up when he feels that pain.

Cole Jamieson This one is called an offset D-ring snaffle.  A lot of cow horse guys and cowboys use them to start colts and soften up older horses.  I have one that I use on pretty much everything.  You'll want to use a curb strap and a browband headstall with a throat latch.  

Cole Jamieson can you send a pic of the bits?

Cole Jamieson  Progressing from a snaffle to something else isn't really necessary unless you want to progress your horse into more advanced maneuvers.  Usually, folks change bridles when their horse becomes dull in a snaffle, but my strategy is to change when the horse feels their lightest.  They always get heavier for me if I don't.  I usually go from the snaffle into a hackamore or a short shanked argentine snaffle.  Then. if I need to, I can go back to a ring snaffle to lighten them up later.  Richard

Stephen Gowling "Richard's Ramblings"! Ha!  Thanks for sharing, pal.  Glad to hear there was a happy ending.  Take care.🙂

Kate Naff Great news!

Devin holland The ES20 Colt Starting program works perfectly for restarts.  LEt me know if I can help.

Randy Hodge I'll shoot you straight.  At that age it'd be pretty hard to pinpoint his exact issue and fixing it completely would be tough.  I'd predict that you would have to work him hard to get the results you want.  But, if I were to work on a horse like this, I would trot him a lot to the left and let him walk to the right.  Even if it is just a straight line at first, no legs involved, just make going generally to the left a lot of work and NOT going to the left less work.  Over the course of several weeks (or months) you would find him wanting to go to the right more and more.  Again, though, this horse has been surviving a long time with his current habits so changing them will take a lot of time, patience and hard work for you and the horse.  I'd have to ask myself if it is worth it.  

This hole was left in him from the start.  Not a mystery that can be solved and fixed in a weekend.  I hope this helps.  Just shooting straight.

Kate Naff How're things going with your mare?

Brett Petersen I hope you guys are staying warm these days!  I can't say that I would advise against it, it's just that I have never done that sort of thing.  In hand showing, I mean.  I can tell you though that if one of my daughters wanted to do it I would set them up for success whether it ruined the horse or not, hahahaha!   Seriously though, it's just like everything else, there will be some advantages for the horse and some disadvantages.  I think that as long as you keep the filly respectful of everyone's space it will probably be fine.  My background in cutting influences my program and we like to keep them a little more feely for cow work.  Let me know if I can help along the way, if you decide to go forward with the showing.🙂