Bit advice wanted.

[Mari]

14 hh Welsh pony has small mouth, short smile, fat tongue & large grass muscle. Seems he doesn’t like tongue pressure. He constantly chomps on the Bit & is damaging his teeth. I have had Horse Bit Fit consultant out & tried a variety of tongue relief bits to no avail. Anyone else have /had this problem? Did you find a bit your Equine was comfortable with? He doesn’t chomp at all in a bitless bridle - obviously!

 

[Griffin]

That's a tricky one. You have absolutely done the right thing in trying a bit specialist first, did they have any ideas about next steps?

I guess some of what you will do next depends on what you want to do with him? I rode a pony for a couple of years who was bitless but he only every did hacking or a bit of schooling for his owners, so it was not an issue.

Have you tried a hanging cheek? I expect you probably tried Bombers with your Bit Fit consultant.

ETA: Mine doesn't like tongue pressure particularly and we are in a Myler style bit (fitted by Bit Fit).

 

[Winters100]

I have one with a fat tongue who is really happy in this. He arrived with it, and I have to admit that I thought it too harsh as he is very polite. Having tried a variety of what I thought were kinder options, which all resulted in him throwing his head around, me then having teeth and back checked and thinking that it was pain, I finally went back to this and the head throwing went away, seems that this is what he is happiest in. I am very careful to keep light hands, but it seems to work for him. Not suggesting this specific bit, but just saying that it might turn out to be something which you would not normally use that works. Good luck and I hope that you find something that he likes

 

[Regandal]

My horse doesn’t have a lot of room in his mouth, following a bit fit we have an Orbit hanging cheek.

 

[blitznbobs]

Ns verbidend basically a ported snaffle with two joints

 

[Gloi]

I had a similar problem and ended up with a myler high port snaffle which he accepts.

 

[C1airey]

From what you describe, I’d say the skinnier the bit, the better. What size is he? The NS pony bits go up to a 5”.

Otherwise, I second what others have suggested: a ported bar. A cheap and cheerful magic snaffle would be a good starting point.

 

[Bonnie Allie]

Alternative thoughts.......

1). Young horse we had would chomp the bit in the manner you describe. The noise was horrendous and we felt it had become a habit as she was relaxed, calm and had a super attitude to work. So we wrapped her bit in a rubber bandage just for a few days and she broke the habit. There are specific bit bandages you can buy.

2). Swear by the Stubben lock up bit for anything that is sensitive in the mouth. However not sure it would come small and narrow enough for your pony small mouth.

 

[SpeedyPony]

This will sound counter-intuitive given that they rely almost entirely on tongue pressure, but have you tried a flexible rubber/leather bit? The flex and soft action might make the pressure more comfortable for him. They're also a cheap thing to try (well, rubber is, not sure about leather bits)

 

[Mari]

Alternative thoughts.......

1). Young horse we had would chomp the bit in the manner you describe. The noise was horrendous and we felt it had become a habit as she was relaxed, calm and had a super attitude to work. So we wrapped her bit in a rubber bandage just for a few days and she broke the habit. There are specific bit bandages you can buy.

2). Swear by the Stubben lock up bit for anything that is sensitive in the mouth. However not sure it would come small and narrow enough for your pony small mouth.

Great to hear alternative thoughts. His bit size is 4.75”. I’ll try the bandage.

This will sound counter-intuitive given that they rely almost entirely on tongue pressure, but have you tried a flexible rubber/leather bit? The flex and soft action might make the pressure more comfortable for him. They're also a cheap thing to try (well, rubber is, not sure about leather bits)

yes. They’re too thick & made no difference.

 

[Mari]

That's a tricky one. You have absolutely done the right thing in trying a bit specialist first, did they have any ideas about next steps?

I guess some of what you will do next depends on what you want to do with him? I rode a pony for a couple of years who was bitless but he only every did hacking or a bit of schooling for his owners, so it was not an issue.

Have you tried a hanging cheek? I expect you probably tried Bombers with your Bit Fit consultant.

ETA: Mine doesn't like tongue pressure particularly and we are in a Myler style bit (fitted by Bit Fit).

Yes tried bombers & hanging cheek. Have asked Bit Fit lady to come back.

 

[Mari]

My horse doesn’t have a lot of room in his mouth, following a bit fit we have an Orbit hanging cheek.

Tried that. No difference.

 

[Mari]

From what you describe, I’d say the skinnier the bit, the better. What size is he? The NS pony bits go up to a 5”.

Otherwise, I second what others have suggested: a ported bar. A cheap and cheerful magic snaffle would be a good starting point.

Tried a magic snaffle. No difference.