All these mouthpieces confused me... help?

[charleysummer]

me and my friend have been looking at new bits today to experiment a little with what the horse is happiest in- she isnt horrendous in the bit she is in, but can pull and seem irritated sometimes, a loose ring french link hanging cheek. i always think you never know until youve tried and i want her to be happy as possible!

i was considering trying a mullen mouth as she can 'jangle' the bit as i call it, it might not irritate her so much in the mouth- but then i came across rubbers, ports, flexirubber and goodness knows what else and i didnt dare try anything without full prior knowledge and risk upsetting her by picking a bit that doesnt fit her mouth shape very well, i feel she doesnt like the pressure exerted by a joined bit on the sides of the mouth. the rider maintains a light contact but she pulls in to the bit at time and leans 'forward' she has had back checks and saddle checks etc and before the bit change was considered and everything else seems fine.

Someone told me that horses cant understand mullen mouths as the french link allows separate signals for flexion and turning, the mullen mouth doesnt allow this as it is a straight bar. ideas much appreciated

 

[GingerCat]

Someone told me that horses cant understand mullen mouths as the french link allows separate signals for flexion and turning, the mullen mouth doesnt allow this as it is a straight bar. ideas much appreciated

The signal for turning a horse comes from your upper body and shoulder not the horses mouth.

When you say 'jangle' do you mean 'mouthing'? As this is a good thing, it keeps the mouth wet and the jaw relaxed

 

[whisp&willow]

i ride in a mullen mouth pellham... and my horse is able to understand when i want her to turn left and right... and flex...!

there are so many bit out there that it can be very confusing! all i know is my horse hates jointed bits and is happy in a mullen mouth.

good luck!

 

[charleysummer]

the horse isnt mouthing it is more lifting the head and bouncing the bit in the mouth- cant think how else to describe it!

yes i understand turning comes from the body i was talking more about the flexion and general pointing of direction, the horse isnt all that well schooled so shes not all that responsive to weight aids and the rider isnt too fussed about that type of thing so it hasnt really been worked on. its just the horse seems to dislike a snaffle mouth at the moment.

a pelham was an option, would it be best to use double reins or roundings for general purpose?

 

[whisp&willow]

i use roundings for general use... mainly because i cant be bothered cleaning two sets of reins and i mainly hack out. if im schooling i use double reins as i can be more precise about aids.

with roundings there will always be curb action, using double reins means you can use the snaffle rein or curb depending on what you need/want from the horse.

please remember that the pellham will exert pressure on the poll and in the chin groove, and is very severe in the wrong hands.

 

[charleysummer]

i use roundings for general use... mainly because i cant be bothered cleaning two sets of reins and i mainly hack out. if im schooling i use double reins as i can be more precise about aids.

with roundings there will always be curb action, using double reins means you can use the snaffle rein or curb depending on what you need/want from the horse.

please remember that the pellham will exert pressure on the poll and in the chin groove, and is very severe in the wrong hands.

yes i wouldnt consider a harsher bit in the wrong hands, seen some awful cases of misuse of bits at shows etc what action does a kimblewick have? also what is the difference with the ported mouthpeice and mullen mouthpiece

 

[whisp&willow]

again there are many forms of kimblewick to choose from! the action is much the same as the pellham, but milder, as it doesnt have the shank so less leverage (poll pressure) not including a slotted kimblewick. depending on what kinf of kimblewick you choose and how you attatch the reins will depend on how severe it can be.

mulen mouth is a straight bar, ported mouthpiece has a raised centre where a jointed bit would link- eleiveates pressure on the tounge.

eta if your horse leans on the bit which i think you said it did then i would advise using a jointed bit, as he will just take hold of a mullenmouth and lean on your hands.