Best bits for sharp youngsters with soft mouths

[J_sarahd]

As title says.

Nova is currently in a cheap myler-style eggbutt and she has been hacking great, but today I took her in the school for a walk round on both reins and I noticed her really unsettled in the mouth. I realised that the bit was spinning and going upside down - so obviously not comfortable! It could very well be one of the causes of the issues we were having last year.

She has also been in a single jointed D ring snaffle and whilst she went okay in this, everytime I touched the reins, her head went up. She will be back in this for her saddle fit and until I can figure out what else to try.

Basically what are people’s recommendations for a sharp 4 year old thoroughbred with a teeny mouth?

 

[spotty_pony]

I’d go for a fairly narrow mouthpiece if she has a small mouth. A hanging cheek is a good option because it holds the bit stiller in the mouth so it’s good for horses that are fussy in the mouth. I’d go for a French link mouthpiece though as sounds like she doesn’t like the nutcracker action of your single jointed one.

 

[scats]

I find fussy horses can fuss more with jointed bits and sometimes need something a bit stiller. I have mine in bomber happy tongues and it’s the quietest both of them have ever been.

 

[Roxylola]

Bomber happy tongue

 

[J_sarahd]

Great, thanks - I think I will trial a happy tongue. Annoyingly, I used to have one years ago. Though it’s probably too big. Do people suggest hanging cheek or D ring? I guess I could trial them both.

What are people’s opinions on Beris Mullen Comfort Snaffles? That was another one that was recommended. But you can’t trial them

 

[ycbm]

Deleted

 

[RachelFerd]

Trust Innosense mullen mouth is a bit gentler than the bombers happy tongue. But tbh, sounds more like a schooling issue than a bit issue - as an ex racehorse she will probably not have been taught to accept a contact and it does take some consistency to get there.

 

[LEC]

My ex racer is in a single joint D ring with curved mouthpiece but they are slightly hysterical with the contact as not used to it. I know a lot of people start them in rubber snaffles etc but to me I think it makes them really awkward or hysterical in the contact when jumping. I know when I went to see Eric Smiley he complained the horse was moving his mouth too much so I was a bit more careful about what I asked for but now it’s pretty good and still getting better.
A lot of people like hanging cheeks - I am not a fan but they stay very still in the mouth so would be one I would consider. Otherwise if really unhappy I find getting a bit fitter for £60 saves hours and a lot of messing about with bits.

 

[J_sarahd]

Trust Innosense mullen mouth is a bit gentler than the bombers happy tongue. But tbh, sounds more like a schooling issue than a bit issue - as an ex racehorse she will probably not have been taught to accept a contact and it does take some consistency to get there.

Oh yes there is 100% lots of schooling to be done but with her current bit, she’s chomping on it and it’s spinning in her mouth - the cheek pieces often become inside out if that makes sense? So it’s obviously uncomfortable for her so I won’t be riding her in it anymore

 

[J_sarahd]

I’m going to put her back in the single jointed snaffle for now and see if she goes back to how she was in that. I will just say that if she doesn’t go back to how she was in any bit - whether that’s the single jointed or a happy tongue or rubber bit - then I will be getting the vet out to look at her. But at the moment, it seems like she’s saying “I’m really not comfortable in this bit” and with the spinning/turning/movement I can understand why.

 

[TPO]

Second getting a bit fitter.

That'll give you access to a lot of different bits and in person expert advice

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I wouldn't put a fussy mouthed horse in a single jointed bit. I would try a slim mullen-mouthed bit with hnaging cheeks, as it should feel more stable in her mouth.

 

[GinaGeo]

You really need to understand what shape her mouth is to decide what will work best.

My own fussy horse had a really low palette. And is best in a straight bar or low angled port. The big ports are too big. Anything with a link is too unstable.

A bit fitter is probably your best bet.

 

[J_sarahd]

The bit fitter recommended the single jointed D ring when I got her. As I said, before I changed it, she didn’t feel 100% happy but not as unsettled as this one

 

[RachelFerd]

I’m going to put her back in the single jointed snaffle for now and see if she goes back to how she was in that. I will just say that if she doesn’t go back to how she was in any bit - whether that’s the single jointed or a happy tongue or rubber bit - then I will be getting the vet out to look at her. But at the moment, it seems like she’s saying “I’m really not comfortable in this bit” and with the spinning/turning/movement I can understand why.

I'm not quite sure how you've ended up in a position where the bit can spin and turn that much - is it fitted too low? At any rate, it sounds unsuitable. But if she has regular dental check-ups and the dentist hasn't noticed any unusual mouth conformation or issues, just put a simple bit in that she seems comfortable just wearing, and then teach her to softly yield to it in-hand, and then accept it ridden. It's very easy to get into the trap of trying absolutely everything, but until the horse has actually learned to soften to the contact, you won't be getting a true feel out of anything you try. It's a bit of a chicken and egg scenario.

FWIW for a young horse I'd always go full-cheek to start with, as helps them understand the idea of yielding better. I'd default start with a really low port barrel type bit (eg. https://thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product/fager-nils-sweet-iron-baby-fulmer-loose-ring/) ... and also a non-ported lozenge type (eg. https://thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product/te_fce-trust-full-cheek-elliptical/) - if that still seemed like too much, I'd go to non-metal and mullen mouth (eg. https://thehorsebitshop.co.uk/product/beris-full-cheek-mullen-comfort-snaffle/) and then as a last resort I'd go to single jointed.

But none of the bits will feel 'good' until you've done that education about yielding gently to the hand and accepting that into a soft contact - and for me when I get an ex-racehorse, that's the first piece of education I'd want to start with, before doing any other real work.

 

[J_sarahd]

Thanks RF - I’ve tried adjusting the positioning but it doesn’t help. I think it’s just a poor bit. It’s a cheap myler-style and where she is being a baby and playing with it, the joints are loose so causing it to spin. I’m not after a miracle and know that I won’t put something in her mouth and suddenly have a soft horse in a nice contact. I’m just aware that the current one is not going in her mouth again. I can’t school her to accept a bit if the bit that she has is causing her discomfort. I’ll have a look at the links you sent, thanks. I like the look of the Beris but not sure if they’re dressage legal? Obviously not a worry for the immediate future but if she likes it I just worry about then having to swap it out for a dressage legal one later down the line

 

[RachelFerd]

Thanks RF - I’ve tried adjusting the positioning but it doesn’t help. I think it’s just a poor bit. It’s a cheap myler-style and where she is being a baby and playing with it, the joints are loose so causing it to spin. I’m not after a miracle and know that I won’t put something in her mouth and suddenly have a soft horse in a nice contact. I’m just aware that the current one is not going in her mouth again. I can’t school her to accept a bit if the bit that she has is causing her discomfort. I’ll have a look at the links you sent, thanks. I like the look of the Beris but not sure if they’re dressage legal? Obviously not a worry for the immediate future but if she likes it I just worry about then having to swap it out for a dressage legal one later down the line

I believe that the Beris is fine within BD rules. Unfortunately the non-metal ones are the ones that you can't get any trials on because they get damaged. Give the Horse Bit Shop a ring as well, their adviceline is good and they can set you up with a couple of trial bits which you can return if they don't work (and if you can beg/borrow any non-metal bits to try from people on your yard, that will give you a sense of whether or not the material makes a difference). And scour eBay too - I've built up a nice little collection now, so I've got most bases covered for things to try.

 

[TPO]

I'd be careful with cheap and/or worn bits like the one described. They can pinch the tongue really easily as there are sometimes gaps around the barrel/lozenge.

Not very scientific but when I've bought a bit unseen or try them in a shop I put it across my inner arm and move it about. My arm is the tongue and then I put pressure on the bit rings as if there are reins attached and move it in every possible way. Most of the time I've ended up getting my skin nipped.

I worked in a saddlery decades ago, before barrel bits were really a thing, but during training we were told that was a good test as to how a but works eg to feel the difference between a French link and Dr Bristol.

But yeah I'd check the currently bit isn't actively hurting and she's fiddling trying to get her tongue away from it

 

[iknowmyvalue]

What size is she? I’ve got a couple I could send you to try. I’ve got a d-ring trust one, and a couple of different loose ring/hanging cheek ones with barrels/lozenges. Mostly 5.25, a couple of 5.5inch

 

[marmalade76]

My two small mouthed fussy ponies had/have this, it has a tiny mouthpiece, thin & light.

 

[J_sarahd]

What size is she? I’ve got a couple I could send you to try. I’ve got a d-ring trust one, and a couple of different loose ring/hanging cheek ones with barrels/lozenges. Mostly 5.25, a couple of 5.5inch

She’s 4.75 (tiny!!) but thank you though!

 

[SantaVera]

Mullen mouth plastic bit.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Mullen mouth plastic bit.

The trouble with plastic bits is that they are easily scratched if the horse chews them - and then they hurt the horse.

 

[ihatework]

The bit fitter recommended the single jointed D ring when I got her. As I said, before I changed it, she didn’t feel 100% happy but not as unsettled as this one

Whilst I think all the new bitting options are to be applauded and there are many more happy horses because of it … an experience I had with one of my horses means I will always say ‘don’t dismiss old school without trying’.

My big event horse I had was a little fussy in the mouth. I tried a variety of modern bits. Didn’t quite hit the mark. Mostly this was down to age/training/strength. But when I placed him on a pro yard - the owner/trainer of that yard (think old school, but current FEI judge and Olympic level trainer), watched the horse for a couple of sessions and emerged with a fat hollow mouth single jointed loose ring snaffle. You know, the £15 type. It solved 80% of the niggly contact issues and from that point onwards wore just that bit and a cavesson for dressage work.

ETA - if they have been generally happy in a bit but then become less happy, it it more often than not a reason other than the bit. There is a block in the body somewhere.

 

[J_sarahd]

I tried her in the single joint as I didn’t want to buy a new bit if it was a physical issue and not a bit issue. She was so much happier! Less chomping, no snaking or curling up. We even had a tiny trot and to start with, she was a bit worried to go forward but I asked again and she was fine (maybe pain memory from ulcers?) and then the next transition was spot on. I definitely think even more stability in her mouth would help her even more!

 

[nikkimariet]

12mm mouthpiece single joint if you can. I use the sprenger Novocontact.

 

[Spotherisk]

Maybe try a fulmer cheek with the keepers onto the cheek pieces.

 

[McGrools]

I have a fulmer cheek rubber snaffle with a link on my little ex racer. She was chomping the bit a lot before but is a lot more settled now. I bought it without much thought when i turned up to an event without her bridle and had an emergency trip to on site tack store, but i actually wouldnt change it now. It works really well for us x