Another bit question!

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BellaBee

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(Please excuse me for being a bit novice-y on the bit front, I'v never really ridden in anything other than snaffles.)

My horse is currently off work for a little while due to having a sore in the corner of her mouth (due to her bit rubbing) and we'd been thinking about trying a new bit for a while so this has given us the drive to do so.

Firstly: she only slobbers when doing hard work and only about half an hour in, by then the damage is done. SO, do happy mouths really encourage them to play with the bit and slobber? And would they be gentler on her mouth?

Secondly: after discussing with a number of instructors and staff at my yard we decided that we would try her in a french link as she leans into her snaffle (resulting in no breaks) and I don't think the nutcracker action does her any good.
I've had a little look around at them and wondered how the hanging cheek one differs to the snaffle? I know its a stronger bit and that it applies poll pressure encouraging them to flex, but she carries her head low due to having been put in a "buck-stop" with her old owners and was wondering if this would make her carry her head lower and/or possibly fight it? (she fought her buck-stop by, guess what, bucking)

Sorry for so many questions but I don't want to get her a bit which won't help or that I might use wrongly on her. She doesn't complain about bits (unless they rub a sore)
 
A hanging cheek snaffle will have hardly any poll pressure so it is actually no different to any other types of snaffle. I would try a loose ring french link snaffle with bit guards. One of my boys has sensitive lips and I find bit guards stop the bit from pinching his lips.
 
Thanks, I'll try bit guards, already been told to invest in a rather large tub of Vaseline :)
luckily our tack shop lets us "try before we buy" with bits so I should be able to test a few out if I need to
 
The hanging cheek isn't stronger & doesn't give any poll pressure, so don't worry about that :D It just has a slightly different feel (it 'sits' up in the horses mouth, is more stable) so its mostly about finding what she prefers really, trial & error somewhat :)

I have also always believed that if anything, happy mouth bits will almost rub more? (does seem true) Perhaps something like sweet iron may be preferable for taste/acceptance?
 
Sol said:
The hanging cheek isn't stronger & doesn't give any poll pressure, so don't worry about that :D It just has a slightly different feel (it 'sits' up in the horses mouth, is more stable) so its mostly about finding what she prefers really, trial & error somewhat :)

I have also always believed that if anything, happy mouth bits will almost rub more? (does seem true) Perhaps something like sweet iron may be preferable for taste/acceptance?
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Just what I woould have written.

Happy mouths are fine UNTIL they start to wear and then they get little chips on them.
 
While the happy mouths get the horse to 'chew' more on the bit, they get abrasive quickly for that reason. I remember an old instructor once having to throw hers away after a single schooling session as her mare had obliterated it during the ride. My boy has sensitive skin around his lips, but can sometimes lean on the hands if a bit unbalanced so I have a loose ring french link with bit guards, which he seems to really like :) if she doesn't salvate much quickly, it could be worth trying sweet iron or a neue schule? Just a thought :) xx
 
Thanks for the responses, sounds like a happy mouth is out then!
I think I'll get my hands on that Bit butter, it'll save me having to put Vaseline and something tasty on her bit.

One last question, her current bit, a bog standard snaffle, is a 14cm and a snug fit IMO. With bit guards it wouldn't fit at all, so I'm assuming that I should get the french link snaffle in the next size up?
 
BellaBee said:
Thanks for the responses, sounds like a happy mouth is out then!
I think I'll get my hands on that Bit butter, it'll save me having to put Vaseline and something tasty on her bit.

One last question, her current bit, a bog standard snaffle, is a 14cm and a snug fit IMO. With bit guards it wouldn't fit at all, so I'm assuming that I should get the french link snaffle in the next size up?
Click to expand...

Sounds good to me :)
 
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