Richard

Saralyn Wallace if she gets along with it, I'd say go ahead and use it.  You might want to add a couple more to your tool box though in case you run into a wall with it.

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Saralyn Wallace I'm having trouble attaching my photos🤦.  I'll have to get back to you with them this evening.

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This is a little closer to what we might consider a junior cow horse, but still leaning toward the wonder bit.  The rings on these bits create a "gag" action and with a curb chain, the pressure is extreme.  these bits can be used like a snaffle by attaching the reins to the rings, but not ideal.  I'll attach a picture of a junior cow horse and a bit that I would recommend.  The sidepull can work well but it really depends on your skills and the type of horse you're starting.  If it is a light type quarter horse or something similar, it can work well.  If a more drafty type, I'd steer clear.  

I'll attach those pics below.  Have a great day!

I would recommend something like this.🙂

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I like the D's!

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Same bit as above?

We used to call this a Wonder Bit.  It's not a junior cow horse and I would not recommend it for starting a colt.

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24 Apr 06:09

Saralyn Wallace good morning.  Tell me more about the horse you'll be starting.  Age? Pedigree?  Maybe some pics?

I'll go through the pics you sent (they are very helpful, thank you!) and comment on each so we don't get confused.  Have a great day!🤠

Michelle, hi.  I'm glad to hear a B1 member asking about speed control!😂 It's one of my favorite subjects!

I try to get that easy transition to a jog from the ground first, then ask from the saddle.  I might work on those upward transitions each day and look for that smoothness to increase over the course of a couple of weeks. 

It might look like this:  I'll work on asking him to jog from the ground using the minimum amount of pressure to get what I want.  If he goes too fast, I'll change directions and ask again.  Repeat this until he will transition up and down smoothly.  Then, get on and do the same thing.  If he trots too fast I would either trot circles or turn him into the fence and change direction (ground driving is recommended first for this).  Just keep working on it until he will jog smoothly and I suspect that the downward transitions will just come naturally from it.  Hope this helps and let me know how it goes!🙂

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22 Apr 04:03

Lauren Felkins hi.   I can't say that I've ever actively worked on this one, but teaching her to yield to halter pressure from down low would be the way I would approach it.  Start by pulling down on the halter with a small amount of pressure until she reaches down, then release.  Repeat until she learns that the way to release that pressure is by putting her head down, not snatching it up.  Also, do the drill in this video, it should help too:  https://b1horsemanship.com/programs/the-headshy-horse-e2a391

Good luck and let us know how it goes.  Richard

jeff kaptein you just have to stay patient and keep at it.  I encounter it all the time.  Sometimes I have to wait a long time, just redirecting and sending forward.  Never had it fail though.  Don't quit!🙂

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