Question about "Bits"
 

They mentioned before the Florida Derby that Quality Road had been given a harsher bit in hopes of making him easier to hold. He sure looked more relaxed and didn't appear pull as hard as he has done in the past. It's certainly an interesting move, and I'm curious to hear some opinions of whether this is a frequently used equipment switch.

It happens quite a bit though the change rarely makes a huge difference.

Unless the horse lugs in or out .....you can change bits that give the jockey more control and ability to let the horse run instead of fighting with it all the way. I agree with Cannon though usually a horse who is rank needs to have it trained out of him and trainers have all kinds of diffirent methods to do that.

I have a 100 different bits and unless your rider(ex. rider) knows how to properly use them it may not make a bit of difference. Runout bits can work on some though I find that often the best cure for horses that get in or out really bad is finding out what is bothering them physically. I have a theory that some horses vision has something to do with getting out especially. It may be BS but it is plausible but i cant get any of them to read the eye chart.

I think horses who run in or out may have a physical problem or a mental one ...from riding them I have been on some that lug out because they are being sour , stupid or are trying to get away with something while they are training and I have been on some that do it because they are sore or have been sore and now its a habit. The same can be said for horses who lug in , the worst are the young one's who come in and have been galloping on the rail wherever they have been and so they think that is where they are supposed to be. I like draw reins with a rubber bit and long stirrups to teach horses to go in a straight line and set their head correctly , when it come's time to work them if the case is severe enough I like to work them in a Houghton bit , you dont have to apply much pressure and usually the smart one's will learn not to try it and sometimes after awhile they can graduate back to a regular bridle. When I was younger I always thought that a horse lugged because they had a physical problem , I have learned that it is not always true and that sometimes they are just being azzhole's .

I thought they used something on Pulpit to try and get him to relax or be less bull headed.

pretty sure he didn't like it

Have heard trainers talk about mouth issues affecting responsiveness as well. Funny Cide famously had a tender mouth, and Tagg/Smullen went to a soft (leather or rubber?) bit after the Holy Bull (January 2003) with which he was much more comfortable.

At least in riding horses, rubber bits are great to get the horse to "play" with the bit and become more accepting of it rather than strong arming him with a bit with a long shank, gag, or a high port. You're much better off trying to get a horse to listen to you through softness, either through hands or bit, than something harsh when the horse is going to win 99.9% of the time.

The french named nose band (I can't recall the name) that Seattle Slew wore that comes down the horses face and attaches to each side of the bit, is that just like a stronger Figure 8 that also serves to keep the bit from moving to much from side to side?

i believe it's a flash noseband.

No, this is a flash noseband

https://www.sheepgatetackandtogs.co....hNosebandM.jpg

I'm talking about this:

http://www.championsgallery.com/Seat...lmont%20BW.jpg

yeah, i looked it up after i wrote it-i remember once reading they referred to slew as wearing a flash-but it's not-most pletcher horses use it. so, now i don't know what that one is called. i think political force was another who used it...

You generally see flash nosebands with jumpers and figure 8s with racehorses...although 8s are used in both.

just found it-it's called a 'sure win' and is used to keep the tongue under the bit.

No, that is not it. I e-mailed a friend since I can't remember the name of it for the life of me.

that's what they called it in the t'bred legends book.

here's an ebay listing for one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Horse-Racing-Sur...4.c0.m14.l1262

one of my favorite sayings that I got from a former riding instructor is that a strong bit is 'like razor blades in a monkey's hands' if a person doesn't know how to use it...

every horse has different likes and dislikes....mine for example has a large tongue and therefore is most happy in a ported bit that gives him tongue relief...he's also incredibly strong and known to run off so he goes in a pelham...while his bridle may look 'harsh' to some, I have tried him in probably 30 different mouthpieces and the ported pelham from Myler is his favorite.

Slew wore a Win-a-lot or Sure-win what ever you prefer to call it , but that is what it is and its used to keep a horse from getting their tongue over the bit.