Should i use a bit on my new horse for the first ride?

i basicly know the answer to this qustion but my new horse is 25 years old and i just saved him from a trail riding ranch were he could not do 8 hour days no more hes very gentel and calm and i plan on riding him in the round pin tonight for the first time but he does not want to put a bit in his mouth so i was thinking of riding him for the first time with a halter probably not a good idea but considering his back ground i doubt he would do anything and i feel bad for him i was told he might have been abused a bit but he does get real excited when i put his saddle on hes eyes light up just like when he gets hes grain and meds in the morning its kind of funny anyway who thinks i should use a a bit for the first time are should i even use one at all also i cant get his dentist to come by for another week so his teeth might hurt him and may need to be floated

Should i use a bit on my new horse for the first ride?
In a round pen, he may be just fine without a bit. However, you would have NO control if he decided to bolt..so wear a helmet.


I would have someone lead him for the first time if I was riding without a bit, to make sure he remains calm. Some horses will freak out if they don't have that measure of control, as they have always had it when being ridden.


He would likely do best with the bitless bridle, such as the hackamore, such as these%26gt; http://www.bitlessequitation.co.uk/bitle...


http://www.moonrakerqh.com/tack/gfx/hack...


http://www.moonrakerqh.com/tack/bridles....


http://www.plasequestrian.co.uk/images/e...





I rode for many years using such a bridle, and had even better control than with a bit, on a horse from the racetracks. Your oldster has likely had his mouth abused by novices for many years, and may really appreciate and respond better to such as this%26gt; http://www.bit-free.com/home.html Also, older horses do have teeth problems, so it may well be why he is stubborn about accepting your bit.