 Pleasure/Trail
and General Riding Reviews
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I am really impressed with your product. It performs exactly as
it claims. It was money well spent.
Yvonne R.
Dear Mikmar,
So you know who is writing to you, I'm a 48 year old female attorney
from Yorba Linda, California. I've ridden and owned horses
my entire life, having been born and raised in Arizona.
I was skeptical about buying the Mikmar training bit because the
big tack stores I go to don't carry them. However, I
was desperate. My horse fights the bit, tosses his head, and
constantly stays on the bit when we lope....and when we do lope
it's bone jarring. He won't set his head and it has been impossible
to get him into a slow lope for more than a few minutes. I
have tried running martingales, german martingales, and about 15
bits....nothing was working. I was recently diagnosed with
a 3-4 mm disc herniation at C-6-7, so I just couldn't deal with
the bumpy ride anymore. The Mikmar Training bit was my horse's
last chance before I had to sell him. After trying the bit
today I came to two realizations. One, the reason why the
big tack stores don't sell Mikmar bits is because it would hurt
their business....their bit sales, other than Mikmars, would fall
to nothing, and no one would need a martingale anymore. I
rode today with no martingale, just the Mikmar. Then came
the second realization, that your bit really works...I
actually had tears in my eyes after 15 minutes. My horse set
his head, went into a slow lope from a walk (the first time ever),
didn't toss his head as usual (he did test the "power"
of the Mikmar, but once he learned he couldn't win, all was well),
and was the most well-mannered he had ever been. He settled
into the bit quickly and seemed to enjoy the roller. I have
to thank you from the bottom of my heart for his sudden improvement.
I shall recommend your bit to everyone I know, and only use your
product from now on. Like many of your other customers, I
have a bunch of old bits to get rid of!
Thank you so much. Lisa G.
Dear Mikmar Bit Company,
I would just like to let you know how happy I am with your training
bit. I was to the point of selling my horse when I saw your ad and
decided to give just one more bit a try. Well I am sure glad I did
because it has totally changed my horse. I love it and my horse
loves it. He really is a totally different horse with your bit,
more relaxed and responsive. Thank-you so much! Yvonne Manson, Washington
We operate a facility in Central PA that caters to show horses
in the hunter and jumper rings. We do a lot of showing on the A
circuit between Vermont and Florida. I have to admit when my wife
and I saw the bits we were skeptical until a good friend of ours
told us to try the bit. I have a mare that I bought in Germany this
year and WOW what a difference it made getting her in and around
the hunter ring. She use to pull on the ends of the ring as a greeny
would do, and she was slightly stiff bending to the left. I now
hack her in the mornings with it and school her over the jumps just
prior to going in the ring before switching back to my show bridle.
The past three A rated shows we have been Champion out of a bunch!
The Mikmar bit has made the difference not only in her but in the
whole crew. Christopher W.
I just wanted to let you know how different my horse is after
trying the Mikmar training bit. He is an11yr old paint that was
used primarily for trail riding with no formal training. His lope
was so horrible with the head tossing, I had absolutely no control
and basically stopped loping him with the fear of hurting someone
else in the arena. I think he was afraid of having his mouth constantly
banged on by his former owners. I ordered the Mikmar Training Bit
and within a few days he is a totally different horse. He actually
likes the bit and shows no resistance towards it. I came within
days of selling him because of his prior ways. But, this bit totally
transformed him.
Sincerely, Judith Kensington, CT
Today, my Mom came to try her new Mikmar training bit on
her gelding and he was a changed horse. Wow. I am truly amazed.My
Mom had watched the video and told me to be patient and watch the
high headed paint near the end of the video that showed how he responded
to the bit the very first time it was used on him. We still were
a bit skeptical due to the way the bit looks. It looks so severe
and large. We just about could have filmed that same episode with
my Mom's gelding. He was stiff and pulling the reins away by stiffening
his mouth and jaw with his snaffle bit today. We put the Mikmar
training bit in and adjusted it and after a bit of chewing, he went
to work in a relaxed manner and was using his body correctly. He
did spend a bit of time looking for the most comfortable place to
carry his head and once he did, we could just loosen the reins and
enjoy the ride. It is much easier to have soft hands when the horse
is carrying himself so balanced and soft. This horse can be a dream
to ride but lately has been getting harder and harder to soften
up. Not today with the Mikmar bit. He stopped better than he ever
has and after we rode, he was so calm and quiet, we couldn't believe
he was the same horse. He was even neck reining better. He has not
been this responsive in the nearly 2 years we have had this gelding.
We kept talking about how amazing it was after we were done riding.
Thanks for your product. Keep up the good work.
Just wanted to let you know that I'm thrilled with the Mikmar
training bit. It's made a big difference in even just three rides.
I also enjoyed the video. Thank you very much! Lori
I love my bit and would recommend it to anyone. My horse
has never behaved so well. Your bit has also helped me develop lighter
hands. And as you know, a horse will respond better to soft hands.
Vincent
I bought the short shank because my horse was new to me and
I was trying different bits, recommended by my trainer. I first
tried the snaffle, which was fine in the arena, but I didn't really
feel like I had enough control on trail. I then went to the curb
bit with a short shank, but that caused my horse to start throwing
his head, which I didn't want him to continue to form a habit. I
saw the Mikmar Bit and ordered it on the spot. I have seen a significant
difference in the way my horse carries his head, we've been using
the bit a couple months now, and he has stopped throwing his head
and I think with time, he will continue to do well. I would like
to have one of the 50th Anniversary bits with the Silver Conchos.
Will be ordering soon.
Genny Murrieta, CA
Just bought your combination bit at Equine Affaire in Ohio.
I put it on my Morgan, "Remington", as soon as I got home. As soon
as he took the bit in his mouth he lowered his head and transformed
into a different horse! I took him to the outdoor arena to let him
get used to the bit, but he was so relaxed and content [ same horse?]
that I took him on a hour trail ride! He was absolutely content
to go and do whatever and wherever I wanted! I never in my wildest
dreams thought that I would notice dramatic improvement the first
day! He was, for the first time ever, able to actually stand perfectly
still while I talked to another rider ! Guess what I talked about!
Thanks so much!
John Horse Around Ranch Inc.
I am currently using a friend's Mikmar Training Bit, and
must agree with all your testimonials-- I can't believe I am riding
the same horse as before I used this bit.
Linda L. San Diego, CA
I don't believe in cure all medicines or training aids. The
Mikmar bit, however, comes close. When I bought my Quarter Horse
mare, she had been used as a lesson horse. The fix to any problem
was a harsher bit and a new training aid. The result was an ornery
horse that grew to be more and more stubborn and rebellious. She
had a reputation of being a knot-head and an outlaw. I decided to
take a "less is more" approach and moved her out of a high port
bit and into a D-ring snaffle. Her attitude improved was well as
her forward movement. I wanted to start working on her headset.
She was extremely resistant to my efforts to get her to drop her
head by riding her up to the bit. She would take hold of the bit
and stick her nose in the air as far as she could get it. We did
make progress but it was painfully slow and her performance was
inconsistent. I did not want to go to any training aids, such as
draw reins, because of her history. My trainer suggested trying
the Mikmar bit, and let me borrow his. She responded so well, I
ordered one the next day. Not only did she drop her head, she became
lighter and more responsive. A light touch to the rein now gets
an immediate response. At one time my goal was to have a horse that
was safe on trail. We are now working towards showing Western Pleasure
and Trail Class. She is a calmer, more willing, lighter and responsive
horse who moves much better with the proper headset and consistent
performance. Because of this change it is easier to teach her new
skills such as side passing, and turning on the haunches. Two things
I didn't even think about doing with her when I first brought her
home. It is like having a new horse. On the rare occasion she does
regress to her stubborn ways, it is easier to bring her back to
the soft and responsive horse she has become. Many people who knew
the horse before I bought her cannot believe it is the same horse.
Even my trainer cannot believe the progress we have made in such
a short time. If I had not discovered the Mikmar bit, the success
I have had would have taken me much longer than the three months
I have been working with this bit. Thank you Mikmar Bit Company.
Sincerely, Tammy Marsh Corning, NY
Dear Mikmar,
We have a horse that we have named TURBO. He has two speeds, fast
and faster. Stopping is not part of his gears, so to speak. He'd
been abused from others and his "training" had I imagine was closer
to cruelty. He has a sweet personality until you get on his back.
My husband is the only one who can handle him, we've gone through
"trainers" and numerous bits but he was still out of hand. You give
him an inch he takes a yard and a half. Pleasure riding it wasn't.
By happen stance I found your website and thought, "maybe this is
it". The bit arrived today and my husband used it on him. My daughter
greeted me when I came home from work with "Mom, we have a new horse".
My first thought is we actually had another horse, but she explained
that "Turbo" behaved like a real saddle horse for the first time.
No rearing, fighting, spinning or "dancing". My husband put Turbo
through all his gates and the acid test was the big "S" word...........STOPPING.
He did it without a five minute fight, plus.......where my husband
wanted him to go, he actually went!!!! My husband is not a green
horn, he's been around horses since he was two and was not intimidated
by Turbo's actions. The rest of us on the other hand.......... Anyway,
I want to thank you for this incredible bit and we are going to
send you a video in the near future of "Turbo Before and Turbo After".
He is nothing like any of the horses in your tape. This will be
an eye opener.
Sincerely, Jan
Dear Mikmar,
I have been hesitant to buy anything that looks like a quick fix
or gimmick so I have avoided your product, despite the ads and HorseWorld
features. I have gaited horses, Tennessee Walkers and Foxtrotters,
as well as Quarter Horses and have been through various trainers
over many years.
Because of my work schedule I have a young girl who "exercises"
my horses 4 times a week. I noticed a breakdown in their training
and particularly their headset and engagement. After buying the
Training Bit at the Equine Fair I tried it out the next day. It
has been the best single investment I have ever made for my horses.
I worked 3 different horses, both gaited and non-gaited, and after
10-15 minutes of just packing the bit began to work them and there
was an immediate improvement. The exercise girl is now able to get
the proper headset and an inexperienced rider was also able to achieve
not only a good headset, but actual performance from a newly purchased
Quarter Horse that had a real habit of throwing her head.
The gaited horse moved so well, if I was still showing I would
use this training bit. It helped to improve the headset and free
up the shoulders allowing full engagement of the hindquarters with
an immediate improvement in all gaits. This works so well I wonder
if it would be legal at the shows. I was so impressed I called the
next day to order another bit. I am a true believer in the value
of these products.
Jeffrey Zinder
Dear Mikmar Bit Co.
I received my training bit on Wednesday and went out for a trail
ride on Friday using the Mikmar bit. I initially adjusted the bit
properly after viewing the very well informative video and then
worked my horse in the arena till I felt he was comfortable with
the new bit.
Then we proceeded out on the trail. He was a very relaxed horse
and truly found his comfort zone with the bit in a very short period
of time. I rode a new horse that had nice lateral flexion and over
all nice relaxed frame for the first time. There was absolutely
no head tossing or any anxiety. He had his head dropped and went
quietly down the trail, up and down the hills. His light mouth along
with my light hands and the Mikmar bit equaled a fantastic outcome.
I want to thank you for your nice correspondence initially before
I decided to buy the bit. Now, I will anxiously wait for my reining
bred filly to be started and then finished in the Mikmar bit. You
truly have a remarkable product that really does work and all I
can say is word of mouth from a satisfied customer as myself is
the best advertisement you can have. Thank you, thank you !!!!
Sincerely,
Linda and Shadow, Temecula, Calif.
Testimonial from Kenneth Cox: Sir I received my bit and video
and thought I would drop you a note. I am breaking a 3 year old
mustang which I adopted from the BLM. I was having lots of trouble
with him and that is why I ordered your bit in hopes that would
help. I have had it on him twice now and he is a completely different
horse with it I am very happy that I ordered it! Thanks again. Kenneth
Cox
RE: Combination Bit; "After delaying too long in making the
decision to try one of your Training Bits, I purchased one at the
Equine Fair and was an instant FAN. The bit is GREAT. The very next
day after using it, I called your company to express my thanks,
and the thanks of my horses. I also ordered 2 of the Combination
Bits. They were sent immediately and I of course tried them that
night. They are GREAT. I had 4 different people ride a very tense
and head strong recently gelded 4 year old and they were each able
to get a perfect headset and collection within the first minute
of their ride and maintain it with very little effort. There is
an appreciable difference between the Training Bit and the Combination
Bit, but only if you are unaware of the horse. If the rider is at
all in tune with the horse the Combination Bit can achieve the same
results, it just takes a little more effort at being aware of your
timing of your release. I strongly recommend the purchase of a Training
Bit for training and then a Combo for everyday riding and less focused
training. After a few months, when I feel that my horses can maintain
the training I will no doubt be calling for at least one Short Shank,
but I feel bad enough concerning all the hundreds of dollars I have
in bits and bridles that will now be available on E-Bay for purchase.
I just hope those buyers do not yet know about your products." J.
Zinder
Testimonial Letter from Margaret White: Dear Mikmar Friends:
The other day a woman told me she had seen me riding out on the
trail and added, "Your horses all seem to have so much trust in
you."
She's right. And the reason is simple. It's your Mikmar bit.
I've used the Mikmar bit exclusively on all my horses - green
or finished - for 25 years. So has Elsa Mikkelsen, whose horses
are also on this ranch. We have used "hard bits" only in the show
ring. At home in the work ring or out on the trail, it's always
the Mikmar.
The Mikmar training has certainly paid off: two national champion
trail horses and one reserve national champion; regional top five
trail horses many times over; and a number of champion western pleasure,
western riding, stock and hunt seat horses.
With the Mikmar you can correct a horse without messing up the
mouth. With sensible and gentle riding, the horse learns and the
mouth stays fresh. So of course you build trust - a lasting trust
that, in my case, has been enjoyed for 25 years.
Thank you for making that trust possible. Sincerely yours, Margaret
M. White
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