Another bitting thread

[Smccurrach]

After recent assessment of my horse’s mouth I have noticed some bruising on both mouth bars either side. This has obviously worried me terribly, I am in no way heavy handed however she can be very strong when hacking and hunting. She is thoroughbred, with a typical low palate and large tongue.
Mostly ridden in a French link loose ring snaffle however we went hunting in a single joint 2 ring gag. After observation this is too large for her mouth, error on my part. I believe this has caused the bruising. Thinking back on her behaviour, she had been evasive to the bridle when tacking up prior to me ever using the gag. So the French link can’t have been the most comfortable anyways.
We have the dentist booked next month to clear of any dental issues. What are my options bit wise? I need something thin enough to fit in that space? Any advice welcome

 

[MereChristmas]

I suggest a bit and bridle fitter.
My pony’s bridle was OK ish but he rubbed his head on me on its removal and I wasn’t sure about the bit being the best.

He was assessed on Monday. The fitter explained the reasons behind the suggestions. I could follow the reasoning easily. I rode in the suggested bit but couldn’t use the bridle as the fitter didn’t have the right sizes. The bit made a visible and tangible difference.

My pony has a thick tongue and a low-ish palate but I hesitate to say the mouthpiece and cheek type because there were other factors that influenced the choice.

Where do you live OP?

 

[maya2008]

I always prefer a stronger bit and a lighter hand to a milder bit and having to haul on the mouth. For strong ones I like the Tom Thumb as most horses back off with that and you can ride with a light hand. It’s thin so fits in mouths where there’s not much room also.

If she’s unhappy in a French link for schooling though, I would suggest that either the loose rings are pinching her lips, or you will find issues when the dentist comes.

 

[Cowpony]

If the horse has a narrow jaw the French link can sit on top of the bars instead of between them. You could try a lozenge instead, as that is much narrower than a link.

But a bit fitter is a good idea - you could spend a fortune and a lot of time otherwise.

 

[Birker2020]

After recent assessment of my horse’s mouth I have noticed some bruising on both mouth bars either side. This has obviously worried me terribly, I am in no way heavy handed however she can be very strong when hacking and hunting. She is thoroughbred, with a typical low palate and large tongue.
Mostly ridden in a French link loose ring snaffle however we went hunting in a single joint 2 ring gag. After observation this is too large for her mouth, error on my part. I believe this has caused the bruising. Thinking back on her behaviour, she had been evasive to the bridle when tacking up prior to me ever using the gag. So the French link can’t have been the most comfortable anyways.
We have the dentist booked next month to clear of any dental issues. What are my options bit wise? I need something thin enough to fit in that space? Any advice welcome

I had the same with Bailey for exactly the same reasons as yourself, I'd been using a slightly raised port mullen mouth pelham on the recommendation of an instructor. The EDT recommended a Neue Schule bit as the horse was Dutch and he said dutch horses have a thick tongue. Neue Schule come in a thinner mouthpiece so I had the trans angled lozenge pelham for jumping and I later bought an trans angled snaffle for dressage. They weren't cheap but the difference in the way of going was immediate.

 

[Smccurrach]

Update!!
We scrapped the flash, switched the bit to a nueue shule universal, with the addition of some bit guards.
Seems to have done the trick so far, a lot more relaxed and accepting of the bridle/bit.
Still have the dentist due to give us the all clear.