a question about myler bits...

Bowen4Horses

Bowen4Horses

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South Lincs/North Cambs
www.poppywebber.co.uk
a while ago someone recommended a myler bit for raff... he wasn't a fan of metal bits, but found rubber ones too fat for his huge tongue. he also chewed through rubber/happy mouth ones in minutes.... he only chewed though, he didn't salivate nicely. if that makes sense...

so i was recommended http://www.scallywagsequinesupplies.co.u...heek+with+hook/ as it gave his tongue room, and had a copper wiggly bit to help him salivate.

i rode him out yesterday (albeit very briefly) in it, and he spent most of the time mouthing it (good) but to an excessive point where he kept getting his tongue over the bit. (i presume previous bits clamped his tongue down so there wasn't enough movement for him to get his (fat) tongue over.

when i tacked him up, i did think the bit could have done with being moved up half a hole, but thought one hole might be too much. also, i didn't put the reins through the rein slot, but just on the bit like you would a normal snaffle.

now, if i tightened the bit slightly, and put reins through the slots (would make it sit at a different angle in his mouth i guess) would that stop him putting his tongue over the bit?

or is the bit just not the right bit if he can get his tongue over it?
p.s. he's in a (loose) cavesson noseband... should i tighten that? or am i going to have to start thinking about flash nosebands?

edited to make link work
 
Link doesn't work for me... but you're not supposed to use flash nosebands with Myler bits, they like you to use them with just a cavesson or no noseband...

I think they either love Mylers or hate them. My old horse liked them but this one hates them with a passion. Try putting it up a hole, or even half a hole, on each side. IIRC, I used to have mine higher because the D rings are so big they sit lower, if that makes sense.
 
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I'd just put it up a hole on one side or both, he shouldn't be able to get his tongue over then. I wouldn't worry about different nosebands yet.

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that's what i was hoping.. actually, thinking about it, you noticed it was low in his mouth last time. i think, like other poster said, it's cos the rings on it are bigger. it's already a hole higher than his last bit...
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clipclop your link doesnt work....so cant comment!

is it this one?
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-01399&action=quick_order&bhcd2=1266832354

not sure what to suggest, we have a mare who gets obsessive with any link in her mouth she is very mouthy.... we have gone back to a happy mouth straight bar at the mo and its not ideal.

I do have one of these, without hooks that you would be welcome to try if you wanted as not using it atm, it would give him some tongue room but he wouldnt be able to play with the center so much.

http://www.whiterose-equestrian.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=254
 
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clipclop your link doesnt work....so cant comment!

is it this one?
http://www.doversaddlery.com/product.asp?pn=X1-01399&action=quick_order&bhcd2=1266832354

not sure what to suggest, we have a mare who gets obsessive with any link in her mouth she is very mouthy.... we have gone back to a happy mouth straight bar at the mo and its not ideal.

I do have one of these, without hooks that you would be welcome to try if you wanted as not using it atm, it would give him some tongue room but he wouldnt be able to play with the center so much.

http://www.whiterose-equestrian.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=254

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i've made the link work now. i tried him in a straight happy mouth, he chewed it until it was sharp. i tried him in a single jointed happy mouth, he chewed it until it was sharp. he doesn't seem to like the material. but thank you for kind offer...

x
 

Hi, try putting it up a hole to start with. Also you don't have to use the hooks, so try with out, they create a little poll pressure so might be too much new sensations!
I've had a bitting nightmare for over a year!
But have just purchased a myler MB 33 with full cheeks, which has a HUGE tongue port... I couldn't even imagine it would fit comfortably in his mouth at all.. but hey presto, he loves it and has stopped trying to evade. If hes putting his tongue over, it probably means it is not comfortable for him.
Trial and error of 100's of bits and I realised that even the thinnest bits were still squashing his big tongue. And anything jointed, his tongue was pushing the joint up into his palette and hurting him.
Also remember that if hes been uncomfortable in the mouth before, even with new bits it will take a little while for him to realise that he likes it, some of it will be learned behaviour.
I introduce every new bit on the lunge for a couple of sessions, then do a couple with side reins/ bungee, that way you can see what is going on from the ground and stop and adjust etc.
Best of luck
 
I would call you a numpty but it wouldnt help your confidence boosting sooooo ..........
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see how it goes, I think you do need to give new bits a fair trial. as I say mums is infinitely fussy..... my boy is happy in whatever you fancy!
 
clipcloppop - Thats my site : )
Try a hole higher as said above, but if that dosnt discourage your boy getting his tongue over the bit. Maybe a MB04 low port would be more suitable. The 04's small port gives a little more tongue relief, and due to the rise, its more difficult for horses to get there tongue over.
regards
scallywags / Jill
 
I had similar problems with my boy getting his tongue over the bit with a jointed snaffle. He has a huge (and deformed, with one side thicker than the other) tongue.
He's now in this
http://www.scallywagsequinesupplies.co.uk/p/product/0709112746-MB+32+Mullen+Barrel%2C+Hanging+Cheek/
and is much happier. He has a hanging cheek as I found I needed a little bit more poll action to help with brakes once I'd lost the nutcracker action, but you can get the same mouthpiece with several bit rings. The curved mouthpiece gives plenty of room and there's no joint to pinch a fat tongue. It took me a year and about 15 bits to find it but he's been in it now for 4 years with no problems.
 
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clipcloppop - Thats my site : )
Try a hole higher as said above, but if that dosnt discourage your boy getting his tongue over the bit. Maybe a MB04 low port would be more suitable. The 04's small port gives a little more tongue relief, and due to the rise, its more difficult for horses to get there tongue over.
regards
scallywags / Jill

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good site!! it's the only comprehensive one that comes up when you put 'myler bits' into google! whereabouts in cambridgeshire are you based?
can you get the 04s with copper bit? do you think they help with mouthing/salivation? whilst it was annoying him getting his tongue over, it was nice to see some saliva for once. and he was so busy with his tongue, he stopped his awful grinding/chewing with his teeth.

he's due a dentist visit, so i'll ask them for advice too. x
 
Thanks for the compliment - its nice to know my site's comprehensice enough
I'm in Benwick, nr March, but I dont have a shop other than online : )

They dont do the copper roller with the 04 port, The 03 with roller is good for babys or older horse's who need something to mouth/play with, to settle them.
How much saliva do you have with the copper roller ? as over salivation isnt a good thing. I have 7 horses at home, most are in mylers, and only the stallion noticeably salivates, and thats only when hes's really focused on work
 
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