Mechanics of Spade Bits

Les Vogt talks about the spade bit: how it works and what makes a good one.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• spade bits
• western bits
• horsemanship
• reining
• reined cowhorse
• working cowhorse

[Equinista]

who says anything about pulling?

[Equinista]

You can show in them in most organizations, but always check the rule book first!

[poodleguru]

that looks like it would hurt : /

[highvalley77]

If someone is doing it right, they've spend about 6 years training the horse, from a snaffle, to a bosal, to a two rein set-up (so they can use the bosal if they need to pull) before they will introduce this bit.The mouthpiece spreads the contact area over the horse's mouth so that his cues can now come from the weight and movement of a loose rein. A rider who has invested the time to train his horse to this point wouldn't dream of using it in a way that would ever hurt or scare him.

[1overthehillsfaraway]

@1overthehillsfaraway Well, thing is this.. far better horseman than you graduate there horse to spade bits. I ride my horse in a hackamore now. She has never had a bit in her mouth. I'll got to two rein though, eventually, and then a spade bit. It is a badge of honor for a properly trained horse to wear a spade bit. People who have no understanding of what they are talking refer to it as being severe. Show me once instance in which you have seen a horse hurt by a spade bit

[xxibitsuxx]

@1overthehillsfaraway The purpose is irrelevant, as the bit is far more severe in that it can cause far more pain far more easily than a snaffle for example. I get that the point of the bit is that with the slightest pressure or movement of the reins there is a very clear signal, but it's also completely unnecessary. The slightest overexertion of pressure will cause pain, and the horse has no choice but to follow the feel. With sufficient training, no horse needs a bit.

[1overthehillsfaraway]

@fluffythekillerbird Your really have no idea of what your talking about...your just flapping your lips with nothing meaningful coming out. The proof in what I am saying is that some of the best horsemanship ever displayed where horse and rider are one is a result of training a to be a bridle horse. Torture? You are just another ill informed lip flapper. That is an insult and clearly shows your lack of understanding and stupidity. Good luck with that...

[1overthehillsfaraway]

@xxibitsuxx You need more learning about horsemanship if you think the purpose of this bit is to severe... it is not that at all!

[1overthehillsfaraway]

@chedog08 A properly trained horse actually does like a spade in its mouth... anyone who understands the process of training a bridle horse and who has the commitment and knowledge to do it will have a horse that is at the pinnacle of training. Don't take my word for it though... just learn about the process so you can understand why these bits have developed this way and what kind of people advocate and use them. They are at the highest level of horsemanship.

[chedog08]

would you like that in your mouth?

[jaquima36]

@fluffythekillerbird I apologize if this offends you but almost everything you said here is wrong.....it is not a leverage bit it is a signal bit.....

[crstardust]

@fluffythekillerbird

Obviously you've NEVER ridden a bridle horse...one truly "in the bridle"...The Vaquero horseman and the horseman of the Californios would have a good laugh at your expense...horses in the spade react to the slightest of pressure...the slightest...it takes YEARS to make a bridle horse, YEARS.....get a little knowledge would you....troll on over to the Californios website.....or Martin Blacks website or Buck Branaman's websit or Ray Hunts...

[xxibitsuxx]

Yikes, why would you ever put something like this in a horse's mouth? I've really never seen the reason for any bit more sever than a snaffle...