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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Booshay ... Boucher ... Bousher ... Baucher.

5/27/2015

 
Speedy got a new bit.
Picture
Korsteel French Link Baucher Bit
I am not one to follow any particular fad, so it should come as no surprise that I would choose a bit that is often quite controversial. As I was researching this bit, I discovered that people can really hate it for it's "severity." I long ago discovered that a bit is only as severe as the rider's hands. 

Speedy has been getting pretty heavy in my hands over the past few months. Well to be truthful, it's not like he's ever loved contact. He wants to be light, but that leads to being too light. I've tried several different bits, but I've never found one that he obviously likes.   

My trainer suggested that I go more radical in the change just to see if I can elicit a different response from him. I decided to start with the baucher bit because the fixed attachment to the bridle provides greater stability. One thing I know about Speedy is that he likes "quiet" in his mouth. If I am too loud with my hands, he lets me know it.

If you've never seen a baucher in person, the bridle attaches to the smaller ring, which seems upside down. (It bugs me that the Korsteel stamp is upside down!) I read that this bit is often times referred to as a hanging snaffle.
I put it on Speedy's Micklem and quickly realized that this bit won't work with that headstall. The Micklem's "flash" interfered with the bit. For my demo ride, I simply buckled the flash under the bit like a chin strap.
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Awkward
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Temporary placement
I later dug out my old SmartPak Plymouth bridle and put the baucher on that headstall and put the eggbutt lozenge bit back on the Micklem. I found this incredibly funny. How does one go from using two Micklem bridles to using NO Micklem bridles in the same week? 

I am not going to say that the baucher has, or will, solve all of our contact issues, but like JL suggested, it did kind of freshen Speedy up. He always grabs at the bit as I put the bridle on. When he put his mouth around the baucher, he spit it back out and got a surprised look on his face. He knew it was different. I then bridled him without any issue, but he spent several minutes playing around with it.
Picture
Munching a cookie, but much better fit.
Both times I used the baucher bit, I hopped up bareback. I didn't want to do a real schooling ride until I felt that he was comfortable in the bit. I had read several reviews that said horses will either hate it or love it.

I started out with a long rein and just walked around for a minute. When it seemed clear that he wasn't in the total haters club, I shortened my rein a bit and asked him to round up a little for a medium walk. To my surprise, he softened much more quickly than he had at Sunday's show. And frankly, the surprises kept coming.

When the medium walk went well, I asked for a baby trot. Like always, he was a bit sassy, but he did it. He did want to over round, which may end up being a problem, but at least he wasn't leaning heavily on the bit.

Speedy has never liked me trotting him bareback. It's only been over the past year that he was willing to trot with me directly on his back at all. So imagine my surprise when he offered a canter! I can't attribute that to the baucher of course, but it sure did seem as though he was a bit more uphill with this bit and that the canter was easier for him.

We did a number of light and easy canter departures tracking both left and right. I only rode the circle once or twice before coming back to a trot, but we did it several times, and each time the departure got better and better. I also noticed that Speedy's typically dry mouth was dripping with foam. 

While the benefits that I am seeing with this bit may be short lived, I am very eager to continue using it when we get back from vacation later in June. For now, Speedy will get to hang out for a few weeks having a little R and R of his own.

I already can't wait to get back in the saddle.
Mia
5/27/2015 11:17:01 pm

When I first got Ava I had her in a D ring. She was so heavy and strong she about tore my arms off. I switched her to an O ring and it was like a new horse.
The right bit can make all the difference. I hope this works for you both. I know several people who swear by this bit.

SprinklerBandits
5/28/2015 12:18:22 am

For the sensitive ones, the right bit absolutely makes a difference. Hope this one works great for you.

Lauren link
5/28/2015 12:36:22 am

I rode Simon in this once and loved it. Hope it helps ya'll!

emma link
5/28/2015 01:01:36 am

sounds promising! i actually really like the idea and design of bauchers and got one for my mare a couple years ago (a Jacks that also has the logo printed upside down?!?) - tho my dressage trainer at the time recommended i go with a loose ring instead. maybe one day i'll give it another try?

Stampyandthebrain link
5/28/2015 02:02:28 am

The bit does sound promising!
I've never been able to find a bit that I really like for Phoenix. He is plenty responsive to my aids in general, but likes to get heavy in my hands at times. He also tends to mouth the bit a lot more than I would like.
I've read that you should drop the horse when they are heavy to teach them it's not acceptable, but that seems backwards to me when you want to horse to seek contact otherwise. Oh the mysteries!

Enjoy your vacation!

jenj
5/28/2015 04:31:47 am

I used a Myler baucher for quite a while on Paddy. He definitely respected it more than other bits, but after a while it got to be too much for him. Now we're back to a plain old loose ring, and he likes that a lot.

Not sure if you have the one pictured or another one, but my friend tried one with the flat center lozenge and her horse HATED it. She tried my Myler and her horse LOVED it. I know they also make them with a round center lozenge? Anyway, something to consider. I hope the one you have works great for Speedy!

Jan link
5/29/2015 05:10:40 am

Love that type of bit for the sensitive-in-the-mouth horses that tend to get heavy. I'll have to do some research, I didn't know it could be controversial, but there's a time and place for every bit. I agree with you though, a bit is only as severe as a rider's hands!

Melinda link
5/29/2015 12:51:10 pm

this has been farleys favorite but from day 1! She adores it. I use the toklat brand one and feel like it's a really well designed bit.

Tracy link
5/31/2015 11:39:11 pm

Some horses just need a change in bit every so often. Some hunters school in a bit with more leverage at home and switch to a softer, lighter bit for shows.

Corrine
7/14/2017 09:14:36 pm

I know the micklem and baucher look awkward together in the photo, but thats because the baucher is in a "resting" position. With contact on the bit (baucher rotated toward the horse) it will probably work much nicer and look better! maybe give that a shot!

Amy
12/21/2017 01:01:30 pm

Whoever told you that the baucher is severe has no idea what they're talking about. It's one of the calmest and softest bits you can get. Perfect for green horses.

Bakersfield Dressage link
12/27/2017 07:25:48 am

I know - there is just so much mis information out there! Two and a half years later, Speedy is still in the baucher. He goes quite well in it. :0)


Comments are closed.

    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
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  • My Horses
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    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
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