Bit advice for a 4 year old tossing head at walk

[Jessicamcc89]

We have just bought a 4 year old horse, backed 2 month ago from Ireland.

He has worked nicely, we are told, in a rubber eggbutt snaffle. We have put him in a happy mouth with a copper lozange. He works nicely to the bit however when his work is over and he is given a longer rein to cool off and walk, he then constantly tosses his head up and down. If the contact is picked up again and trot him, he stops messing with his head.

What do you suggest to stop the tossing head at walk and standstill?

Thanks Jessica

 

[smja]

Is the happy mouth a loose ring or fixed ring? He might like the stability of a fixed ring (like his old eggbutt) - when you have a contact, the bit may stay 'stiller' in his mouth hence no head tossing. I'd try a fixed ring bit (you can still get happy mouth ones) and see what happens.

Bitting is very much trial and error!

You might also consider posting in the the tack room for topics like this, there's more traffic there than the regional boards