Advice on this bit please...

E

express_75

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 July 2007
Messages
556
Location
Wales
Visit site
This is the bit my 4yr old Welsh D had in on boxing day when a friend took her hunting - my mare's mouth is very sore and cracked at the sides now, it was worn with a flash.

She's usually in a fulmer french link.

Is is severe? I don't want her young mouth ruined.
bit.jpg
 
I don't like these bits - I was given one by somebody and it went straight into the bit box I take out teaching in the "what not to use" pile. As a general rule, the fatter the better for a youngster, provided it has the room in its mouth.
 
Lots of copper in there, it's not something I would expect a youngster to be wearing.
I would question why your "friend" felt the need to use it if your horse normally wears a different bit and I take it she didn't ask you if it was alright to change it?

I wouldn't be a happy bunny as your mares' mouth has obviously taken a bit of a bashing. I would let her mouth heal before trying her again as it may give her a reason to begin to play up if she is sore and you don't want her to start getting anxious about anything at this stage in her life.
 
Thanks everyone.
The friend asked me to put change it over and as im not experienced (yet) to question why ect (friend can be very over powering when it comes to riding/horses etc) as my mare pulled a bit last time, TBH id rather have her pulled a bit that have her poor mouth cut open in that piece of crap!
Im so upset, i had a job to but sudocream on her today.
Friend wants to put her in a rubber gag next!!

My mare is starting her schooling next thursday with a proffesional (once every 2 weeks) and she'll be in her fulmer.
 
I feel sick at the thought of her in that for over 5 hours.
should have realised it was a bit iffy as it's her TB mare's bitm whos an ex P2P and has gone from a snaffle, tom thumb, pelham to gag in 6 years!

The rider not the horse as the problem maybe!?
 
Doesn't matter what your "friend" wants to put her in next, I wouldn't let her come anywhere near, she will ruin your young mare and neither of you deserve her. Hopefully her mouth will be more comfortable for when she starts her schooling, you will get there but don't let yourself be overpowered - she is your horse afterall

Good luck xx
 
Thanks irishdraught.
That's what my OH keeps telling me too!
She is mine and i think we were doing fine just taking it slowly, lunging, walking in hand, short hacks, short schooling sessions, lots of grooming etc.

I'll be posting our progress on here so i hope to bump into you all again.
 
It sounds like you've got a similar problem to me, a young horse and everyone around thinks they are more expert than the next.

Be firm, she's your horse and yes you are quite right, definately a rider problem if your friend feels the need to ride any horse in a severe bit.

When I first got my young mare, she had been ridden in a bit that was too small, more severe than it needed to be, not high enough in her mouth and a bridle that didn't fit properly. She quite naturally had a fear of having a bridle put on. Alot of work (and honey) later, she is a dream to tack up now.

Don't let anyone do anything to your horse that you don't agree with.

If it were me, this friend would never come near my horse again.
 
Did your friend put bit rubbers on? otherwise that would have pinched the corners of her mouth, maybe why she was sore? Generally the more 'area' of the bit, ie this one is all twisted and bumpy the more severe. Don't worry, learn from the mistake, don't let your friend take your mare hunting again and when the both of you are ready to go together research what bit to consider taking her in. Take your time and ignore what others tell you to do, go by what you think you should do!!
 
True. She's like, "put her in a this, she'll pull your arms out, order her a gag, ride her on the middle ring for hacking etc then put her on the bottom for hunting". Makes me feel like i don't know anything.

Another friend has only ever used snaffles and french links on her horses, never messes about with bits and i don't want to either.

She was probably only pulling a bit as she'd never been before and wanted to keep up with the gang.

My gut instinct was right, the bit looked awful and everyone's response has been the same - never to be used again on my horse!
 
Its the samer bit that had for flint. It pinched him at first- I put rubbers on and it eliminated it.

Do what is right for your horse and question things- its the best way to learn!
 
No, there were no bit rubbers used on it.

Her mouth is swollen on the sides, cracked, red raw (broken skin) and she didn't even want to come into the stable today for a groom but once she knew it was me in the field she came over and put her head under my arm. She was walking away and she hasn't done that before.
 
If your horse handles well for you in a snaffle type bit then stuff what your friend thinks.

Go with your instincts, they've been right so far
wink.gif
 
There is a time and place for most types of bit in experienced hands and clearly that was not the appropriate bit for your mare and, perhaps, was not in experienced hands.

I would always take my time and work to solve any issues a youngster has with schooling and patience rather than biting a young horse up. Don't feel bad though, you did stop and ask for advice on here and won't let it happen again.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Doesn't matter what your "friend" wants to put her in next, I wouldn't let her come anywhere near, she will ruin your young mare and neither of you deserve her

[/ QUOTE ]
Agree
Be assertive and tell her you are having schooling seeions, so she has enough work to do with you, and dontl elt her bully you into letting her ride again.
Once you have had your lesson, you can, if you want to, quote your professional , 'N says,,,' .if she suggests harsh bits.
Good luck with your schooling
 
[ QUOTE ]
I really dislike that bit, looks like an instrument of torture.

[/ QUOTE ]
Actually less severe than a single joint!

Right we have lots of these in stock, so know them well! They are not the best made bits and can be used with either the smooth or the bumpy side down depending on preference

The copper rings act as pacifiers for the busy mouthed, but like keys its debatable on whether they teach babies to mouth the bit too much or encourage acceptance.

This is around 14-16mm in diameter, so is not a desperately thin bit. The dog bone joint in the middle gets rid of any nutcracker action.

However Shires only make these to a 5 1/4" in size and the ring holes are quite large and can easily pull in the lips and make them sore. So my guess is that you horse needs a 5.5" and this was too small.
 
This isnt a severe bit, if it cut her I presume she was pulling and the rider was having to use quite a firm hand. You can cut the corners of the mouth in any bit if it's being pretty much constantly pulled on.
 
Poor mare, no wonder her mouth was sore. I would put it in your friends mouth and pull hard and see how it feels.
Like everybody has already said, she is your horse, if you are unsure what somebody tells you then ask somebody else for an opinion.
Maybe find a good instructor that could guide you a bit and give some good advice. You obviously care very much for your horse so you are definately on the right track
smile.gif
 
I have this bit but it is an original made in germany not by shires.
I really like it & have never cut a horses mouth in this bit.I tend to use it soft side doen on the bars & srub side up. Mine is 5 1,2".
Any bit is sever in the wrong hands.

I would go buy some preperation H gel from the chemist for your mares mouth will help it alot.

Sorry you & your mare have had to suffer.
 
You have to stick to your guns and decide what's best for your horse or as suggested get a good instructor. I have a large cob who's prone to spooking, he is not strong as such but can take the mick when he wants.

I had a woman at my yard ride him a couple of times when her horse was off work. Unbeknown to me she decided to change his 3 ring gag for her own french link snaffle! She left her bit on my bridle. I was hacking out with a friend the next day and saw the bit had been changed. Although V annoyed my friend was waiting outside the stable to go so I thought as were were just going for a walk round the roads I would keep the snaffle on and change bit when we got back.

Well lo and behold my horse spooked at something I found I had no brakes and ended up cantering down the road. Thankfully not far and I got him back and all was OK.

Needless to say I laid into the stupid cow when I got back to the yard, said she should never ever do that to anyone, especially without asking and she has never gone near my horse since let alone ride him.

I thought she knew her stuff she has the 'gift of the gab' and is good at putting her point of view, I have since found out that others at the yard are p*&^ed off with her as she has done a whole load of stupid, rediculous and down right dangerous stuff. I had to learn the hard way. Thankfully no one was hurt horse or human in my case. I just feel stupid that I let her ride him. I was busy working and was short on time to exercise him.

Unfortunately the horsey world is full of know it alls and all I can say is listen to everyone then carefully edit the information, go on your instinct, or as much as you can anyway! Read as much as you can books magazines etc and look on here there's always something interesting someone has posted and will be similar to something you are experiencing! Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top