Alternative Happy mouth bits

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mustardsmum

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Does anyone know of an alternative to Happy Mouth Bits? I recently bought a new pony who is in a Happy mouth roller loose ring snaffle. He has only ever been in this bit and goes really nicely in it. However, he has managed to bite a bit of the plastic off so it needs replacing. Apparently he really hates nutcracker action (hence why he has a roller) and isnt keen on metal bits. I have always used NS bits on my other horses, so am a bit new to the whole plastic bit thing and have never had one with a roller. Having just discovered that Happy Mouth Bits no longer exist, I am now unsure whether the other plastic alternatives (Dever, Korsteel etc) are comparable or of good quality? I have to say, I am not a huge fan of the plastic but he does go so nicely I don't really want to change just because I don't like the look of the plastic! The Korsteel is as far as I can see, the closest to the happy mouth but just wondered what others think? Thanks in advance!
 
Diddy Bits on Facebook have just bought out a neat pony bit with a lozenge but I am not sure if its plastic or rubber - it'll be a recent post on their Facebook page
 
A sweet iron bit might work there are plenty of different ones, or maybe a myler type mouthpiece, there are plenty of cheaper copies that are good quality you could try they have no nut cracker action and sit quite nicely in the mouth.
 
I like the HP relief bits.
Mine is in a happy mouth but I'm keeping a close watch on the state of the plastic and I've already got a HP relief bit ready to switch in to.
 
Korsteel is probably the closest in type, but I’ve had decent luck getting Happy Mouths off of eBay before now. Might be worth a look?
 
Thanks for everyone’s ideas - will have a look this eve! Did check eBay out but no luck unfortunately but will keep looking! I liked the look of the Shires bit, but couldn’t find it as a simple loose ring, only a gag.
 
mustardsmum said:
Thanks for everyone’s ideas - will have a look this eve! Did check eBay out but no luck unfortunately but will keep looking! I liked the look of the Shires bit, but couldn’t find it as a simple loose ring, only a gag.
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Are you looking for a straight bar or the jointed one? I searched for EquiKind Loose Ring on EBay if it gives me both options?
 
mustardsmum said:
I am looking for the double jointed type -that has the roller between the two arms of the bit which seems to be the problem! Will look for the Equikind on eBay …
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Ah right, Korsteel do one like you want - I used some of their metal bits and I’ve always been happy with them so I’m sure their happy mouth one would be of a similar good quality :)
 
mustardsmum said:
I am looking for the double jointed type -that has the roller between the two arms of the bit which seems to be the problem! Will look for the Equikind on eBay …
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www.oldmillsaddlery.com

Shires Equikind+ Loose Ring Peanut Link Bit | Old Mill Saddlery

The Shires Equikind+ Loose Ring Peanut Link Bit is a loose ring snaffle which offers more movement in the horse's mouth and helps to discourage leaning on the bit. Mouthpiece thickness: 15mm. Cheek height: 50mm (4.5inch), 65mm (5inch, 5.5inch). £26.99.Free UK & Ireland Delivery on orders over...
www.oldmillsaddlery.com
 
mustardsmum said:
Thanks for everyone’s ideas - will have a look this eve! Did check eBay out but no luck unfortunately but will keep looking! I liked the look of the Shires bit, but couldn’t find it as a simple loose ring, only a gag.
Click to expand...

If you Google barrel snaffle the ones without a joint similar to myler come up, I've just bought a hanging cheek but not used it yet as my back is bad so can't ride at the moment.
 
Following this with interest: I put mine in a bitless bridle (Orbitless) and it just didn't suit her; she ended up evading it by poking out her nose and hollowing out her back, whilst tanking in canter!

Had sold all her old metal bits on e-bay! All I had in the tackroom was a bog-standard Happy Mouth straight-bar loose-ring, so tried her in that. She liked it!! Goes like silk in it and no repetition of the behaviour.

Hoping it lasts her a good while coz haven't ever seen anything on the market that resembles it, it is a plasticky moulded mouthpiece with little bumps all along it.
 
Thanks for all your replies. I managed to find a new one at a tack shop in Huddersfield (thank you internet!) @MiJodsR2BlinkinTite i would see if you can find a spare just in case! It’s funny, before I got my boy I never really looked at Happy Mouth bits but he clearly likes it. I did try an NS bit and he pretty much spat it out at me 🤣
 
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