Bit advice?

[Gem13]

I have a Shire X mare who has a habit of sticking her tongue out when she is being ridden, she also 'nods' her head sometimes too. She is definately not head shaking just sort of bouncing it as she walks along! she appears to have quite a bit tongue & a small mouth for such a big mare, does anyone have any suggestions on which bit may suit her? She is currently ridden in a Fulmer.
Many thanks

 

[flyingfeet]

You need a bit shaped to give maximum tongue relief - a tongue saver or similar

 

[Wagtail]

I have a Shire X mare who has a habit of sticking her tongue out when she is being ridden, she also 'nods' her head sometimes too. She is definately not head shaking just sort of bouncing it as she walks along! she appears to have quite a bit tongue & a small mouth for such a big mare, does anyone have any suggestions on which bit may suit her? She is currently ridden in a Fulmer.
Many thanks

Her tongue is obviously getting pinched. Try a single jointed snaffle with a shaped mouth piece like the sprenger conrad anky or the neule one that's the same shape. A bit with a central lozenge or plate (such as a French link or kk) will be no good either. Alternatively, look for a non jointed bit with a port or even try bitless. Your horse is obviously unhappy with her current bit which you have thankfully identified.

 

[flyingfeet]

Her tongue is obviously getting pinched. Try a single jointed snaffle with a shaped mouth piece like the sprenger conrad anky or the neule one that's the same shape. A bit with a central lozenge or plate (such as a French link or kk) will be no good either.

Sorry going to chuck in my 10 pence worth! If you have a very fat tongue the distance to the roof of the mouth isn't enough to take the single joint of a shaped mouthpiece - they still have the ability to bruise the roof of the mouth

Therefore I would say a shaped with lozenge or plain shaped is best:

A shaped lozenge bit stops this:
Tongue Saver

Happy Tongue

 

[kirinsam]

One of mine has a fat tongue and I have tried all sorts. Lady at tack shop has lent me a secondhand myler and the difference is amazing. Completely changed horse from the first second I got on and second time I rode him in it I didnt have to stick my finger in the corner of his mouth to open it he just took the bit when offered. Suppose I will now have to go and pay her for it, hope she doesnt want too much.

 

[Wagtail]

Sorry going to chuck in my 10 pence worth! If you have a very fat tongue the distance to the roof of the mouth isn't enough to take the single joint of a shaped mouthpiece - they still have the ability to bruise the roof of the mouth

Therefore I would say a shaped with lozenge or plain shaped is best:

A shaped lozenge bit stops this:
Tongue Saver

Happy Tongue

I like the look of that second one. Sounds like the tongue is the problem area with this mare and that would certainly do the trick. My mare has a really big tongue too and it took me two years to find a bit she was happy with. It was the single jointed shaped snaffle. She didn't like any of the double jointed bits I tried (though I didn't try the shaped one). I hate most single jointed snaffles, but the Sprenger anky dressage bradoon was a Godsend for my horse.