Bit advice please

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Blondie1

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Hi,

I'm after some suggestions of a suitable bit for my boy.

I currently have him in a Neue Schule Verbindend 12mm loose ring snaffle. I chose this bit 8 months ago without much knowledge on bits (silly i know) but read that they were very good for horses with large tongues and low palette which my boy has. He also has very fleshy parts in his mouth which when a contact it taken these fleshy bit get pulled back onto his teeth which i presume is his main reason for being uncomfortable in the mouth.

In his current bit he has been working quite nicely most of the time but during our schooling, jumping or hacking sessions he can:
1. Evade the bit
2. Open his mouth and raise his head
3. Go behind the bit
4. Get his tongue over the bit (almost everytime i school him)

I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to an alternative bit that will suit him better due to his mouth confirmation.

I am working on getting him working from behind and to carry himself and i know that a bit wont do this for me - i have to put the work in with him but i want him to feel comfortable in his mouth for us to be able to do this.

thanks in advance
 
I would say your current bit isnt a bad choice for his conformation. Could the issues you have numbered be because of te rider and/or his teeth? Has he got wolf teeth unerrupted? Also, if hes not working forward then he will go behind the bit and if hes on his forehand then he may lean, resulting in opening the mouth and moving his head to get away from the pressure. So it can be a schooling issue- he may just need time to work correctly and carry himself and that can take years. This would be the same whatver the bit you used. the saddle fit can also cause the problems youve mentioned

A loose ring bit does rest on the tongue though, which may be why he puts his tongue over. A thin mouthpiece is good, as is a lozenge.

Does he do the things youve said on the lunge?
 
teddyt said:
I would say your current bit isnt a bad choice for his conformation. Could the issues you have numbered be because of te rider and/or his teeth? Has he got wolf teeth unerrupted? Also, if hes not working forward then he will go behind the bit and if hes on his forehand then he may lean, resulting in opening the mouth and moving his head to get away from the pressure. So it can be a schooling issue- he may just need time to work correctly and carry himself and that can take years. This would be the same whatver the bit you used. the saddle fit can also cause the problems youve mentioned

A loose ring bit does rest on the tongue though, which may be why he puts his tongue over. A thin mouthpiece is good, as is a lozenge.

Does he do the things youve said on the lunge?
Click to expand...

He was extremely unbalanced when i first got him and have only had him a year. He has had the dentist every 6 months since i've had him (so twice) and last time was in July. So teeth all ok - the only thing the dentist flagged up to me was these fleshy parts in his mouth which could be causing discomfort when a contact is taken up.

On the lunge with tack and side reins he will:
1. go behind the bit
2. tilt his head to the side with mouth open (and pull strange faces)
3. Occassionally work with a very low head carriage.

I will get his saddle checked. his saddle was fitted when i bought him by the previous owners at the equestrian centre.

So is a loose ring not ideal for him?

Thanks
 
if he is raising his head and opening his mouth then he is def telling you that he is uncomfortable and it is good that you have listened to him. the bit does sounds a good choice judging from what you say about the confirmation of his mouth, but maybe he would prefer a roller centre.
i have a pony that i could never get completely happy in his mouth, so i eventually decided to ride him in a dr cook bitless.
hope you can help him
 
Jennyharvey said:
I think he is being pretty vocal about the bit hurting him. Maybe you should try taking away the problem and see how he goes.
Click to expand...

I would love to take the bit away completely but the plan was to compete in prelim dressage comps. I really want to find a bit that wont hurt him.
 
Blondie1 said:
I would love to take the bit away completely but the plan was to compete in prelim dressage comps. I really want to find a bit that wont hurt him.
Click to expand...

Its just my opinion that bits hurt horses, doesnt matter what one you use. I dont do dressage because i dont want to use a bit, but because you want to do dressage, i can understand your dilema.
Its just such a shame that you cant to dressage without a bit.

Anyway, good luck with finding a suitable bit
 
My mare has the same mouth conformation, and I've found she goes best in a thin stainless steel mullen mouthpiece, anything jointed she just isn't comfy in, although I did use a John Patterson eggbutt for a while and she seemed okay in that. Another with the same mouth conformation went well in a Myler MB04 comfort mouthpiece.

I also tried bitless, but my mare made it clear in no uncertain terms that she hated it - the nose has lots of nerves too and some horses just can't cope with pressure there.

I'm sure you'll find a comfortable bit for him, it's just a question of trial and error.
 
Maybe try a hanging cheek, or full cheek bit with fulmer keepers? These are more supported in the mouth, so sit in a more consistent place - maybe that would help? :)
 
Thanks for all your suggestions.

Think i'm going to have to put the bit trials on hold as my youngster spooked tonight, leapt onto my foot and broke it in 2 places!! Ouch!! So plaster cast and crutches for 8 weeks now : (

gives me time to research on bits tho! lol
 
touchstone said:
My mare has the same mouth conformation, and I've found she goes best in a thin stainless steel mullen mouthpiece, anything jointed she just isn't comfy in, although I did use a John Patterson eggbutt for a while and she seemed okay in that. Another with the same mouth conformation went well in a Myler MB04 comfort mouthpiece.
Click to expand...

I thought of trying a Mullen mouthpiece - did you use the eggbutt or i think theres a loose ring one. Do they do hanging cheek Mullen?

Thanks
 
Blondie1 said:
Thanks for all your suggestions.

Think i'm going to have to put the bit trials on hold as my youngster spooked tonight, leapt onto my foot and broke it in 2 places!! Ouch!! So plaster cast and crutches for 8 weeks now : (

gives me time to research on bits tho! lol
Click to expand...

Ouch I'll bet that hurt! Hope you fix quickly!

I use an eggbutt, alternating with a pelham but you can get the hanging cheek version here:- http://www.thesaddleryshop.co.uk/P/...k_Snaffle_filet_baucher_mullen_bit-(423).aspx
 
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