Modern Replica Bits

[RCR001]

I'm also wanting to know a little bit more about modern replica bits. My horse is spirited and headstrong and fights the bit. He's soft mouthed and takes direction well under saddle, but if we're just standing there in line waiting, he acts up and fights the bit. I got to tell you, I've pulled so hard I've worn blisters on the underside of my little pinkies. Both of 'em.

I realize I got a discipline problem and I'm working on that, but I'm wanting to ride this good horse in the show, so I'm not going to extinguish that behavior entirely. I want him to fight!

Maybe you all could tell me a little bit about Modern Replica Bits. Which ones are more and which are less authentic and which ones would work better for me or not.

You might as well know, pictures work better for me than words.

Please? :confused_

[Tom Craig]

Re: Modern Replica Bits

John,

See my advice to you about asking questions here that I posted in reply to your question about horses being shod.

Are you asking about CS bits, Federal bits, or civilian bits, or a combination thereof? It makes a huge difference.

Federal bits are largely cranked out by one of two vendors and then resold through various merchants. You can also find older varieties, and even some originals out there. CS and civilian bits are harder to come by, and many of them are produced in small runs by craftspeople. For civilian bits antinques are also an option depending on what you're looking for.

Give us some more detail and we'll see what we can do to help.

Take care,
Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[RCR001]

Re: Modern Replica Bits

Sir, I would expect a cavalry man from Maine like yourself to be able to offer expert opinions on US military equipment and such. And likewise, not know so much about CS or civilian (I'm willing to use that term loosely.) stuff.

I'm a Trans-Mississippi Theater guy and looking more towards the South, but I am not opposed to ride with Union tack. You gotta know, I got the bit and the bridle the same place I got the saddle. It come off the train we ran off into the ditch. Illinois Central #109. It was on its way to Kansas, but us and the boys pressed it into service.

I really do want to have an authentic impression and stealing my stuff from the Yankees sounds about right. Don't it?

[1sgtscot]

Re: Modern Replica Bits

You said ...but if we're just standing there in line waiting, he acts up and fights the bit... and I'll suggest that this can be a major problem. I have a similar issue with one of my horses and I do understand you said you are working this issue, but I've also got to suggest that a good portion of our work is waiting. Some horses just don't want to stop and wearing a blister may not be the answer. You might want to work on having your horse just stop and wait and wait and wait. I have seen horses go balistic waiting for the fight and it can get dangerous. The cavalry bit may be a little bit too severe for that particular horse and I would work that issue before bringing that particular horse and bit to a reenactment. If your troop has a training session in the morning and battle in the afternoon, you might use the cav bit during training and then revert to a softer bit during the battle for safety reasons.

[RCR001]

Re: Modern Replica Bits

That sounds like the voice of experience to me.

[rbruno]

Re: Modern Replica Bits

Besides Tom's advice on asking a question, you may also want to mention what you have tried to do with the horse to work with him. It he works well with the current bit when moving, I don't know if it is exactly the bit when standing still. If you hands are relaxed while you are standing, the bit really shouldn't be putting that much pressure on his mouth. Again, maybe mention what you are currently doing and some of us may have a suggestion that might be different that worked for us. As Scott mentioned, a great deal of time is spent standing and waiting, both during the war and now in our events. It takes a certain kind of horse to be able to turn it on and off the way we expect them to. As much as you like this horse, you may have to go through a couple to get the one that performs in all the ways you need for what we do.
As far as bits, you may also want to consider a snaffle bit. Plenty of those found on CS side and I am sure on the Fed side as well.

[RCR001]

Re: Modern Replica Bits

I am using a snaffle bit. He does seem to respond to it well. He just pulls and twists his head to the left and right and fights me when we're standing still. He fights the bit when we first get going too. Its like he's testing me to see if I am who I am and if I'm going to let him get away with things. It don't take long and he settles down and does what I ask him to do, but he is headstrong and I am looking for ways to make him not quite so. Also, I don't have a period correct bit. I know you authentic guys are pretty conscious about such things and I want to do it right so before I invest a bunch of money into bits, I thought I'd ask you guys what kind of bits you'd recommend.

[1st Maine Trooper]

Re: Modern Replica Bits

Modern replica bits by and large leave a lot to be desired. They typically are too heavy and not made in the same manner as period bits. There are exceptions to this rule however and those bits are few and far between. Currently there is no modern reproduction `59 bit available. The supposed `59 bit is closer to a `63 bit in its characteristics but the biggest discrepancy comes in the mouth piece and the port. The mouth piece is not fashioned correctly not is it attached to the cheek pieces correctly. The ports are too low and not of the proper shape.

Currently there are no reproduction Dragoon bits available as far as I know.

Period correct and accurate CS curb bits can be had if you are willing to commission a blacksmith to forge one or use an antique walking horse type bit. As with most thing CS issue, there is a wide range of types of bits seen and used.

Snaffle bits and pieces were/are often found at Cavalry camp sites and even are shown in a few photos of the period. That said I would not forego their use either.

None of this will help you solve your horse's behavior problem and I echo others advise to cure that issue first and foremost before heading into the field with a mount that may get out of control and risk injury to other riders, horses or folks on the ground.

Dave Myrick

[ethan harrington]

Re: Modern Replica Bits

Jhon,
Before this goes any farther, "miles on a horse is what makes them" you can't compare them to the real war horses because you don't use them like they did. But to answer your question, I just got a new horse and she does the same thing but I have only ridden her four times and each time with a different bit, 1st : Fed Bit...too much, and she threw her head all day. 2nd : Snaffle bit .... No controll. 3rd. Civi curb bit the old kind with hardly any port....better...4th corfed copy of an original hand forged curb bit ....Bingo!!!! Not to sell this but Ken Knopp has one on his web site and he sold one to a new guy that rides with us this past weekend at the camp of instruction at Franklin...

I think this is what you need to get the control and authenticity in one shot. try some canvas reins to they don't leave blisters as bad.

Thanks
Ethan Harrington

[RCR001]

Re: Modern Replica Bits

Thank you Ethan. I will look at Colonel Knopps website directly. Its my white horse I'm shoppin' for a bit for. I think he did well out there with all you all. First time riding in formation and with all them other horses. He doesn't pull all that hard anymore. He know's I am who I am and he ain't gonna get away with that with me. I surely don't get as much time in the saddle as the boys did back in the day, but I rode him on Easter Sunday for about 90 min. without difficulty.

[moarkcav]

Re: Modern Replica Bits

You might try a running martingale. I have not seen pictures of their use on inlisted mount only on officers. Off the top of my head is the photo of Babcock with Gimlet.

CT

[forrestcav]

Re: Modern Replica Bits

I have improvised by using the link strap hooked to the breast collar ring for a horse that threw her head. but i agree with getting a bit he works with better. Go see ken.

[Longrope]

Re: Modern Replica Bits

I posted a picture about a month ago. Sgt Hoke 22 Penn Cavalry. He was using a running martingale. In fact, just looking through various photos shows them to be used by enlisted troopers, usually on a curb bit. I wouldn't recommend doing it that way if you value your horses mouth.
I don't care much for martingales and tie downs. Alot of circles with just a snaffle, working to get their head down, should do the trick. Folks always seem to want the quick fix

[RCR001]

Re: Modern Replica Bits

I sincerely appreciate all the good advice. Thank you all very kindly. I am going to keep working on my boy. I may have given you all the wrong impression. He's such a joy to ride. Headstrong & Spirited, but a joy to ride. I can't wait to get up on him again. Maybe this evening.

[moarkcav]

Re: Modern Replica Bits

Casey:

Thanks for the heads up on the picture. I too do not like a tie down. I like the running martingale only for a horse that throws it's head. It alows full movement unless they throw their head. It is not a quick fix, more of a safety/training device.

Chris Talburt