Bit advice…

[MummyMoo]

Hi. I’ve just purchased a horse who’s prone to cracking at the corners of his mouth. He likes a gentle contact when schooling and sometimes tilts his head. (to avoid contact I presume) The trainer who sold him was riding him in this bit. Firstly, does anyone know what it is? (See pic) Secondly, doesn’t anyone have any suggestions as to what bit we could try? I can’t seem to find a bit fitter in my area. I was thinking of a D-ring, jointed rubber, snaffle or a D-ring, jointed happy mouth. He’s a 15hh, Sec D X, 6 year old. Still a little green in the school. I want something gentle for him, he doesn’t pull but I also need enough control for jumping as he likes to step it up a gear TIA

 

[HopOnTrot]

Does the bit work apart from rubbing? Could you try bit butter?

 

[MummyMoo]

Does the bit work apart from rubbing? Could you try bit butter?

I’ve dropped the bit down a hole and used Vaseline before schooling sessions and the cracks have healed nicely. I’m just thinking something rubber based or similar might make him more comfortable in the long run. Yes, I suppose it does work. He does have a sensitive mouth and plays around with his mouth a little when schooling but that might be just because he’s young and green…

 

[IrishMilo]

If there's any cracks in the mouth the first thing I'd do (like you've said) is switch to a fixed ring. What he'll be comfortable with is basically just trial and error, although my go-to for everything to start with is always a snaffle with lozenge... they're fairly difficult to take offence to!

 

[ihatework]

The bit looks like a sweet iron scrob with a copper roller. Can be a little sharp and discourage a true contact, especially in non jumping situations.

Weirdly, sometimes the rubber bits can actually be more prone to rubbing a horse.

Personally I’d start with either a loose ring with acavello rubbers or an eggbutt in an ergonomic mid thickness lozenge. Sprenger/NS type.