ARAB HORSE BIT PROBLEMS HELP!!

[Vickyt137]

HELP BIT PROBLEMS!!

I have a 6 year old Arab palomino mare, I have tried so many bits and she never seems comfortable and keeps getting this bruising on the side of her tongue when we had a bad session and she’s fighting me constantly! I’m at my wits end and don’t know what to do! She has the bruising down the left side of her tongue, the dentist told me as I had him today, that the bit because it’s metal may be bruising her tongue because it’s very sensitive in her mouth, but also she always tries to grab the bit I think so I don’t have control, trying to find a bit she will accept and not fight, and u derstand why this bruising is happening! Has anyone had this experience before and any advice? Have tried bit experts but everytime still happens when she fights me, and all bits they advised not working or giving her the marks??? Any ideas??

 

[Snow Falcon]

Have you got an instructor helping you with the fighting issues? Have you tried bitless?

 

[AmyMay]

What bits have you tried? What type of bridle are you using?

 

[paddy555]

my arabs went in hackamores.
I would put a headcollar on with reins, ride with longer reins and see what happens. If she stops fighting then try a hackamore.

 

[nagblagger]

[QUOTE="paddy555, post:
my arabs went in hackamores.
I would put a headcollar on with reins, ride with longer reins and see what happens. If she stops fighting then try a hackamore.

This bought back memories of my first horse (part arab) He went better in a hackamore in the days 'bitless' was not fashionable (70s) and i was looked down on at the local shows. I used to ride out in a headcollar with 2 leadropes before my parents bought me the hackamore,. I had a happy horse with steering and brakes!

 

[PurBee]

[QUOTE="paddy555, post:
my arabs went in hackamores.
I would put a headcollar on with reins, ride with longer reins and see what happens. If she stops fighting then try a hackamore.

This bought back memories of my first horse (part arab) He went better in a hackamore in the days 'bitless' was not fashionable (70s) and i was looked down on at the local shows. I used to ride out in a headcollar with 2 leadropes before my parents bought me the hackamore,. I had a happy horse with steering and brakes!

I know a guy with an egyptian stallion who rides him bitless it’s whole life, and his other TB, aswell as part-bred arab.
Bitless seem to work well with arabs…

 

[cariadbach10]

Hanging cheek snaffle often works well

 

[Gloi]

Something like one of the combination bits that transfer some of the pressure to the nose may be worth trying.
What is happening that causes a fight? Are you asking her to do something she finds uncomfortable?

 

[FitzyFitz]

A lot of Arabs have teeny weeny mouths and find standard bits very uncomfortable. Something with a slimmer mouthpiece might suit better. One of mine is in a 10mm mouthpiece driving pony bit because he's so dinky. With a barrel joint as lozenges and normal joints were too big as well.

What type of bit are you using currently?

If she's sore and bruised she's likely to react poorly to any bit because she associates them with pain.
Try bitless (reins on a headcollar to start if you have a safe area) and see if she responds better.
Be aware that the facial bones are very close to the skin and sensitive so you must be light in the hand and quick to release any pressure when riding bitless.

 

[Flame_]

JP curved eggbutt snaffle

 

[Steerpike]

I find Myler bits work well with my Arabs as they have slimmer mouth pieces.

 

[Ratface]

I find Myler bits work well with my Arabs as they have slimmer mouth pieces.

Another one for Myler bits. I have several, depending on how Loon-like Old Horse is likely to be.
Alternatively, I have used a Monty Roberts headcollar when being bitless is acceptable.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I use the slim barrel type that are like myler but half the price one has a hanging cheek as he likes a stable bit, the other Arab has a loose ring snaffle for everyday they both went well in a myler Pelham when we did ridden showing.

One of my Arab's disliked most bits when he was young and he wouldn't accept a contact, I tried him in a magic snaffle and he was instantly comfortable and I managed to school him on a contact properly, once he accepted that bit I found I could try others and he was a lot easier with new bits then.

Magic snaffle are cheap very mild bits so might be worth giving one a try, I also would try the bit lower in the mouth sometimes that can help.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I have a rising 7 year old 80% Arab palomino mare, and a rising 7 half Arab palomino mare. I have a type

They are both in Micklem competition bridles with a fulmer French links for schooling, and Micklem multi-bridle to ride bitless otherwise.

I like the full cheeks for stability and a thin bit with the link so that it can move over the tongue. Mine have tiny little mouths, especially Mim, the 80% Arab.

In your shoes, I’d probably do a lot of ground work bitted, and get her to accept the feel of the bit without the rider. I do shoulder-in, half pass and travers in-hand frequently as an exercise. I pop side reins on very loosely so there is some tension in the bit. I always lead and lunge off a cavesson over the bridle or off the micklem multi-bridle cavesson, so I am not leading them off the bit itself.

Once she has settled to the feel of the bit without any added pressure from the hands, I’d probably start focusing on transitions and working on keeping my hands as still and soft as possible. I would probably slowly build up the duration of contact rather than ask for consistent contact. I’d work on the outline coming from engagement of the hindquarters and proper use of her back and tummy, so you’re working bottom up really. If she struggles to maintain contact because of lack of muscle development, then she will be more likely to fight it.

Also, I’d love to see a photo of your pally