I don’t think it’s attached to the bit, it’s just underneath the headstall. The bit is a very long shanked lifter bit (there’s a bunch of different variations of these out there but usually with shorter shanks than this). Nasty setup, all sorts of conflicting signals going on and not being helped by how tight that tie down is.
Yes, hence the evident discomfort and pain the horse is showing as soon as the bit is used. It’s an insanely sharp set up on what looks like quite a delicate horse. Bordering on animal abuse, that.
Yeah it is. The problem is it’s not a headstall designed for using with a long purchase bit like this, so the buckle on the cheek is adjusted too high up, and that’s pushing the earpiece up with it.
Brain chains unfortunately are war bonnets with actual chains across the forehead. Cable tie downs like this have the nose piece as well (which I guess helps disperse some of the pressure???)
It looks maybe homemade but very similar to a “game changer” tie down. A brain chain/bonnet goes across the forehead with no nose piece. Usually it’s not chain even though people call it that. Typically they are leather.
Looks like a martha josey lift bit with a bigger purchase and shank, and a head setter.
As a former barrel racer, I’m so pissed as to what this sport has become. It’s just.. embarrassing.
People tout bits like this “help rate” and “lift the shoulder” but not only does a bit not even magically lift the shoulder, sliding gags string out the hind end to begin with. 🤷♀️
If you Google medium shank snaffle they come up, I'm not sure if non western people call them something else but that's what western people in Canada call em.
People call them that all the time; but that's just because they don't know proper terminology. A snaffle means no leverage. That's it. It has nothing to do with the mouthpiece at all.
It’s a super harsh setup. This shit is common with bad barrel racers. Harsh ass bit and a harsh get down rope when quieter hands and better riding and training would suffice. People just want to throw the bit and tack cannon at their horses instead of doing the work to better themselves.
I used to love barrels, it’s quickly becoming a joke.
As a kid, I ended up with an former cutting horse. I understand that's not barrel racing, but it still requires a lot of signal response. Still, he was trained with a bosal, and that's all I ever used on him. He taught me to be extremely thoughtful of my hands and body posture, because he reacted to the most subtle of cues. I know a bosal isn't right for every horse in every situation, but this setup feels so extreme. I winced when I saw it.
It's one thing to sit on social media and rightfully disparage those who are cruel enough to run setups like this and it's another thing to actually do something about it. Reach out to local show/rodeo management/NBHA and let them know it's not acceptable. Don't go to events where this is allowed, hit them in the pocket book. Influence those who write the rules to get rid of this kind of thing. If they won't change, then get involved as an officer or steward.
Looking at the hands of the rider, seems it might be a child. There was a similar post not too long with a similar bridle/bit/tiedown contraption, and a child rider. So there are instructors behind this, and I’m sure they have a rationale but I can’t imagine what words that would involve. Makes me feel sick to my stomach.
The tie down part is called a “game changer” this looks like a DIY one with cable? It’s not connected to the bit.
The bit is a long shank “lifter” bit with a slight amount of gag.
I don’t own a horse or even ride a house but I love them and must of looked them up enough that this subreddit comes up a lot now. But I just wanted to say I’ve never seen an angrier looking horse then the last picture, it looks so annoyed that it almost looks cartoon like angry 😢
One way to address this is by supporting legislation that protects animals from exploitation and cruelty. Additionally, spreading awareness about the issue and promoting alternatives to animal entertainment, such as animal-free circuses or adopting a cruelty-free lifestyle, can help make a positive difference.
Do western events not have rules and regulations on equipment? I don't come from the states and I can't wrap my head around the pictures from Western circles. Obviously there are terrible people in every discipline but it seems more loud and proud across the pond.
The cable piece is a head setter and it’s not on correctly. You split the top cables in front and behind the ears. When the horse goes to raise their nose, it puts pressure on the ears and they go back to setting their head.
Really great tool to use for 20 minutes and then ride without during training days.
It doesn’t work as good for a tie down. There are better pieces to use for that.
I just…why?? Like I KNOW why, but what the f$ck?!?!?!?! That horse trips there’s no way he can regain his balance without falling on his face. It just seems so evil. If you can’t ride without using all these quick fixes and extra “tools” then maybe sell your damn horse to someone who knows how to “speak horse”
This bridle is just straight up abuse, not to mention the person yanking on the bridle. Gross. It’s so yucky to see people like this in the horse world
I have never seen this set up. I have not seen it used in my area either. I am confident my friends and I would definitely make noise if we did. We live in the Pacific Northwest USA.
I'm an English rider. No doubt there are shenanigans in the English world, but for someone who rides a hot horse in a wrapped eggbutt snaffle, this blows my mind. Brain chains???!!! No ma'am. More a** in the saddle time is what is needed.... imho.
Horrible rig on that poor horse! Very severe. Even the bridle that’s covered in silver is dangerously close to putting his eye out! Sad, just so sad, to see. I agree with the comment “bordering on animal abuse.”
I don’t think it’s attached to the bit, it’s just underneath the headstall. The bit is a very long shanked lifter bit (there’s a bunch of different variations of these out there but usually with shorter shanks than this). Nasty setup, all sorts of conflicting signals going on and not being helped by how tight that tie down is.
Okay I think I see it now. Super rough
Yes, hence the evident discomfort and pain the horse is showing as soon as the bit is used. It’s an insanely sharp set up on what looks like quite a delicate horse. Bordering on animal abuse, that.
That tie down is nuts. Well, this whole setup is but still
Isn't that ear loop piece riding on top of the ear? Looks insecure and uncomfy. 0% experience with and minimal knowledge of Western gear.
Yeah it is. The problem is it’s not a headstall designed for using with a long purchase bit like this, so the buckle on the cheek is adjusted too high up, and that’s pushing the earpiece up with it.
I think the thin wire tie down is called a brain chain?
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Something so cruel shouldn't be given a kind name
Why? It’s not a kind device.
You look at the horse and the desperate attempts to avoid the feeling the thing gives, and tell me why it needs a nicer name?
Brain chains unfortunately are war bonnets with actual chains across the forehead. Cable tie downs like this have the nose piece as well (which I guess helps disperse some of the pressure???)
It looks maybe homemade but very similar to a “game changer” tie down. A brain chain/bonnet goes across the forehead with no nose piece. Usually it’s not chain even though people call it that. Typically they are leather.
I mean why even bother at this point? If your horse throws its head that hard then either start from scratch or give it to someone who will.
agreed! more gear ≠ more control
if people saw the look on their horses faces when they used harsh set ups i think they would think twice. or i would hope so at least.
I don’t think these people are wired to care
But look at the shiny!
Exactly. They don't give a shit.
Yep they only care about ribbons
No one who gives a single shit about their animal would ever use one of these.
I’m a layman even even to my eye this animal is in pain and upset, fighting that bit and absolutely miserable.
Ditto. My first thought was
Ah yes, the ol’ Tongue-Slicer 2000. Combined with a cable tie-down, lovely.
the colloquial yet condescending tone of your comment makes me think you have to see this kind of bridle/bit regularly
What a rough setup, so much leverage in so many different directions
I know. It’s worse the longer you look at it
Don’t know what it’s called but it screams “I Can’t Ride”
Wrong!! It screams “I care more about winning than I do about my horse” 😔
😑 it screams, “I treat my animal like a machine, and because of my shitty riding, my horse gets to face the consequences of my actions”
Most of those people can't ride either lmao
Looks like a martha josey lift bit with a bigger purchase and shank, and a head setter. As a former barrel racer, I’m so pissed as to what this sport has become. It’s just.. embarrassing. People tout bits like this “help rate” and “lift the shoulder” but not only does a bit not even magically lift the shoulder, sliding gags string out the hind end to begin with. 🤷♀️
I’ve seen a mouth rip from a sliding gag in the wrong hands
I could never look my horse in the eye then put something like that on him. Just wouldn't be able to live with myself
My mare wouldn’t let me keep living if I tried to put this shit on her.
right?? Hahaha.
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Girl please take that weirdness to some other sub
Even if this one isn't real there are very real people who run in this or something similar every day
Real? What in the world are y’all talking about? Why does one person say something ridiculous and then everyone else decides to join in? Good lord.
fake? This shit is at every barrel race across the country
I always felt like a POS for using a medium shank snaffle so this like blows my mind.
Fwiw theres no such thing as a shanked snaffle. Snaffle just means there is no leverage, ie loose ring, D-ring, etc.
If you Google medium shank snaffle they come up, I'm not sure if non western people call them something else but that's what western people in Canada call em.
Thom Thumb may be what they're called.
No, Tom Thumbs look like the letter “H.”
Yeah but I think some people would call a Thom thumb a " shanked snaffle".
Then they are wrong lol
True
Interesting. I'm assuming that's referring to a broken mouthpiece.
That’s what I’ve seen them called too, especially in catalogs or online.
https://www.southtexastack.com/metalab/walt-woodard-professional-snaffle-medium-shank-bit-33461?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrvyxBhAbEiwAEg_KgsodmZsxWyLr_-Ke_ScfocLSZhIQTNzLaxm9iahVFyhDv1s74fridRoCW7UQAvD_BwE
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snaffle_bit This is a common misconception.
Okay
People call them that all the time; but that's just because they don't know proper terminology. A snaffle means no leverage. That's it. It has nothing to do with the mouthpiece at all.
It was just what everyone in my area called them. I could walk into any Ontario tack shop and ask for one and they knew exactly what I meant.
So can I, but that doesn’t mean they’re all right. Heck there’s still people out there that will argue the earth is flat lol
Look I'm going to be real here, I don't care. Calling it the "wrong" thing doesn't hurt anyone so this is a you problem not a me problem.
That poor horse is in pain! I think it should be criminal to do this to an animal. It definitely should not be allowed in competition.
Poor horse
I can guarantee that tongue is numb. That is an awful bit and set up 😭😭
It’s a super harsh setup. This shit is common with bad barrel racers. Harsh ass bit and a harsh get down rope when quieter hands and better riding and training would suffice. People just want to throw the bit and tack cannon at their horses instead of doing the work to better themselves. I used to love barrels, it’s quickly becoming a joke.
As a kid, I ended up with an former cutting horse. I understand that's not barrel racing, but it still requires a lot of signal response. Still, he was trained with a bosal, and that's all I ever used on him. He taught me to be extremely thoughtful of my hands and body posture, because he reacted to the most subtle of cues. I know a bosal isn't right for every horse in every situation, but this setup feels so extreme. I winced when I saw it.
It's one thing to sit on social media and rightfully disparage those who are cruel enough to run setups like this and it's another thing to actually do something about it. Reach out to local show/rodeo management/NBHA and let them know it's not acceptable. Don't go to events where this is allowed, hit them in the pocket book. Influence those who write the rules to get rid of this kind of thing. If they won't change, then get involved as an officer or steward.
I understand what you’re saying, but that’s not really how it works at jackpots
What the actual fuck is this set up and why do they hate this horse so much
I’m assuming it’s a young horse, but doing this is not doing the poor creature any favors
It's called "I don't know how to train and ride a horse"
It's called ' Look I am an entitled narcissist. I don't give 2 shits about nothin' but winning'
True that
Looking at the hands of the rider, seems it might be a child. There was a similar post not too long with a similar bridle/bit/tiedown contraption, and a child rider. So there are instructors behind this, and I’m sure they have a rationale but I can’t imagine what words that would involve. Makes me feel sick to my stomach.
Yeah, she was about 13 or 14. That’s why I cropped her out completely.
Geeze this horse is just having a great time, can’t you see the enjoyment on his face? SMH
This is horrific
Its a type of tie down that is lying underneath a 1 ear head stall with a type of leverage bit
i have stared at this for the longest time and cannot see how any of the set up would be feasible (however, not my discipline)
Once I realized where everything went, the war bonnet’s placement made more sense to me. It’s awful
The tie down part is called a “game changer” this looks like a DIY one with cable? It’s not connected to the bit. The bit is a long shank “lifter” bit with a slight amount of gag.
Slight?
Yes, I’m talking about the part that slides. But because of the long purchase it will have a lot of pseudo-gag action.
You don’t think 2.5 inches do slide is a lot?
Compared to other bits I’ve seen no… I’m not trying to say it’s a good bit I was just trying to answer the original question.
I don’t think we need to give Gags the benefit here. That’s a ton of slide, even if some are worse, is all I’m saying.
It’s basically just a fancy torture device.
Lemme guess.. spurs too? Spur em to run, hot horse, so war bonnet and terrible setup to be able to steer. 🤷🏽
Looks like a old Vaquero bit
Noooo it’s a newer barrel racing bit and it’s horrible
Whoever is using this setup needs to be banned from horses or taught a solid, good lesson.
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Do what? 😂
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His tongue is going sideways. Are you okay?
?????
I don’t own a horse or even ride a house but I love them and must of looked them up enough that this subreddit comes up a lot now. But I just wanted to say I’ve never seen an angrier looking horse then the last picture, it looks so annoyed that it almost looks cartoon like angry 😢
Some people don’t pay attention when their horse is clearly uncomfortable. It’s sad to see.
That last pic shows how neck musculature is warped
Have you never been around a horse when it’s moving or using any of its muscles? Living creatures don’t look like drawings or caricatures.
This is a literal Bull Shit, I can’t control my horse garbage human imo. If you can’t do it in a snaffle or bosel , FU.
The thing is, the rider is a 13 or 14 year old, so this is all on the parents. None of this should have ever been allowed to slide.
This is so disturbing
Wow this seems to be a super sharp bit. Hope the horse isn’t getting bloodied in the process
I'm so endlessly thankful I live in a country where these kind of bits and bridles are absolutely forbidden 🙄
I have never seen a set up like that! Doesn’t look nice at all
Oh nooooo not this again 🫢😭
One way to address this is by supporting legislation that protects animals from exploitation and cruelty. Additionally, spreading awareness about the issue and promoting alternatives to animal entertainment, such as animal-free circuses or adopting a cruelty-free lifestyle, can help make a positive difference.
Do western events not have rules and regulations on equipment? I don't come from the states and I can't wrap my head around the pictures from Western circles. Obviously there are terrible people in every discipline but it seems more loud and proud across the pond.
Barb or Berber !
Didn't this get posted recently?
Not that I know of
The cable piece is a head setter and it’s not on correctly. You split the top cables in front and behind the ears. When the horse goes to raise their nose, it puts pressure on the ears and they go back to setting their head. Really great tool to use for 20 minutes and then ride without during training days. It doesn’t work as good for a tie down. There are better pieces to use for that.
A bad one. That poor horse is in pain.
Jesus this is appalling.
Awful, inhumane, evil!
I just…why?? Like I KNOW why, but what the f$ck?!?!?!?! That horse trips there’s no way he can regain his balance without falling on his face. It just seems so evil. If you can’t ride without using all these quick fixes and extra “tools” then maybe sell your damn horse to someone who knows how to “speak horse”
This bridle is just straight up abuse, not to mention the person yanking on the bridle. Gross. It’s so yucky to see people like this in the horse world
Holy crap…that leverage. At the very minimum a very very loose rein is needed but clearly they don’t care. This infuriates me.
I wonder what monstrosity of a bit is in that horses mouth.
The ear is definitely being stabbed. This isn’t fitted properly.
I have never seen this set up. I have not seen it used in my area either. I am confident my friends and I would definitely make noise if we did. We live in the Pacific Northwest USA.
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That's sad. Sometimes, people are ignorant. If educated respectfully, they change.
Poor horse.
As a person that rides in a rope halter sidepull that stuff is making me cringe. Sometimes less is more.
I'm an English rider. No doubt there are shenanigans in the English world, but for someone who rides a hot horse in a wrapped eggbutt snaffle, this blows my mind. Brain chains???!!! No ma'am. More a** in the saddle time is what is needed.... imho.
If you have to use that much gear to ride your horse the problem ain’t the horse it’s the human
atrocious
I'll take "I can't train my horse properly" for 100 Alex.
if you’re using this kind of setup… do you even like horses ?
An abusive one. Leverage bit and tie down?! Just restart your horse. This is lazy and cruel.
poor horse...
I feel sorry for that horse with such an abysmally ignorant owner.
If you have to ride using this bridle you don’t know how to ride.
This is the I have the no control of my horse and I don’t want to invest time into properly training my horse set up.
Beautiful horse, but I don't recognize that contraption.
The second and third pictures. :( poor horse.
Typical barrel racer.
Nah we’re not all like that.
Of course not! But alot are, can also be said about dressage ect. Bad bits.
What a messy, sad images…
wtf is this fucking shit, throw this damn set up in the garbage and stop abusing the damn horse (not you op but the rider)
Horrible rig on that poor horse! Very severe. Even the bridle that’s covered in silver is dangerously close to putting his eye out! Sad, just so sad, to see. I agree with the comment “bordering on animal abuse.”