A BIT of advice please!

[OrangeEmpire]

I currently ride my TB in a full cheek eggbutt snaffle. He's recently started mouthing/chomping excessively, putting his tongue over the bit and cocking his jaw- clearly showing signs of not being happy with a contact. Since this problem started he's had his teeth checked twice by two different people and there is nothing massively wrong other than the odd chip or two on the very back teeth.

i've also had him in a loosering french link and a KK Ultra french link to no avail. it seems to me that he prefers less movement rather than more.

Any suggestions of a dressage legal bit which will keep clear of his tongue and have minial movement?!
Thanks in advance!

 

[dianchi]

What about a cambridge snaffle or a straight bar type?

 

[OrangeEmpire]

thank you, that sounds like a sensible option - but do you still get enough sensitivity from that kind of bit? He's both a delicate soul and very capable of the 'is someone trying to get my attention?' school of thought.

 

[dianchi]

I Guess that it a case of trying and seeing.
Typically the only bits i dnt have are straight bar bits

 

[Silverspring]

Have you thought about a Myler? the comfort snaffle is now BD legal.

 

[hellybelly6]

I used to ride my horse in a mullen mouth snaffle and I didnt find much of a difference in sensitivity. You could have my bit if your horse is 5 1/2 to 6 inches.

You could try a NS translozenge eggbut snaffle as he does not like too much movement.

Def think its worth trying a mullen mouth.

 

[Diggerdog]

My suggestion would be to try a baucher cheek which will keep the bit very still in his mouth. They come in a variety of mouthpieces; my first choice would be a french link or lozenge, both of which are dressage legal.

It's probably going to be trial and error, so good luck!

 

[saddlesore]

I have similar probs with my tb, does he stop ok? I ride mine in a sprenger duo loose ring snaffle and it is BRILLIANT. Its like a nathe only the mouthpiece also has a wedge shape cut out of it to allow room for the tongue. It has a straight bar mouthpiece.

 

[saddlesore]

Oops - forgot to add that the bit is dressage legal!!

 

[HenryandPeta]

Something ported would be the best bet so he has room for his tongue!:

http://www.neueschulebits.com/acatalog/Eggbutt_Snaffles.html
Scroll to bottom of page for the Intermediere (Schooling) bit

Or Derby House do a mullen mouthed eggbutt snaffle...

Or you can get a ported looose ring snaffle from www.littletreesaddles.com for £9.95!! (bit cheaper than the NS one!)

 

[rara007]

I find my ponies really sensitive in a straight bar snaffle, so I wouldn't expect you to have a problem with that.

 

[OrangeEmpire]

cool, thanks everyone! comments much appreciated!