Advice on bit please

[Cessie]

I have a 6 year old 13.2 cob who's currently in a happy mouth flexible mullen 2-ring dutch gag. He's chewed the happy mouth though so it's become abrasive. I've moved his reins off the dutch gag ring and onto the large "snaffle" ring as he's not been too strong with me. He's only used for hacking out. Wondering which bit to try instead of a happy mouth, some sort of sweet iron perhaps? I want him in either a mullen or a french link but not sure whether to go for a full cheek/loose ring/D ring or dropped cheek. Any ideas? He carries his head quite high and sometimes throws it up (he does this a lot when he gets really annoyed by flies), he's in a running martingale as well at the moment.

 

[hellybelly6]

Presumably his teeth have been checked?

a hanging cheek snaffle with a french-link/mullen mouth is a gentle bit which encourages head lowering/poll flexion. I have seen bits with a copper french link which has a similar effect as sweet iron.

If he was excitable/strong, I would recommend a kimblewick.

Gags have the effect of raising the head and I do not think this is a good bit for your horse. My horse leans on the bit and is in a gag for this.