Devin holland I like to ground drive all my colts before I ride them.  I really think it helps to get them to understanding the snaffle bit and puts a nice handle on them before I ever get on.  That will cover the backing part.  I don't bother with teaching side passing at this stage. That could work against you.   Have you looked through the ES20 colt starting videos?  There's some good info in there.  

I would just stay the course on your mare with the bit thing.  As long as you can get it in her mouth eventually without too much drama, it will probably get better on it's own.  Just don't get frustrated and start trying to force it.  That never helps, believe me🤦😂.

Rhonda Dotsey Glad you enjoyed it.  Let us know how it works for you.🙂

Randy Andren   Glad to have you!  I don't know how hard you are riding your mare, but I'd shy away from blaming bucking on soreness.  Especially after 35 rides.  How strong is your speed and direction control?  You said she's not a fan of a bit.  What exactly do you mean?  Does she have dental problems?  Can you send a video?

Richard

Jesse Bibby  It's hard to say without seeing the problem.  Can you send a video?  I will say that most times, this problem is created by a rider that is asking too much.  In other words, the horse is moving along fine but the rider continues to ask.  Make sense?

Kelly McAndrews Looking punchy is always the goal😉😂😂😂

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.🙂