Bit advice

[NoodlesHalloween]

So following our dentist visit today I am after some advice on biting. My loan pony currently has a copper d roller and for our BD dressage tests I bought a loose ring french link snaffle to be BD legal. However pony does seem to lean a lot and does not accept the contact consistently in the copper roller, seems better in the snaffle. The dentist has said she still has some scarring adhesions (like polyps but its actually thickened skin) on the bar of her mouth from when she was younger and that this does cause her some discomfort so it would be good to get a bigger bit. Has anyone else had any experience of this or any advice?

 

[IslaNZeq]

So following our dentist visit today I am after some advice on biting. My loan pony currently has a copper d roller and for our BD dressage tests I bought a loose ring french link snaffle to be BD legal. However pony does seem to lean a lot and does not accept the contact consistently in the copper roller, seems better in the snaffle. The dentist has said she still has some scarring adhesions (like polyps but its actually thickened skin) on the bar of her mouth from when she was younger and that this does cause her some discomfort so it would be good to get a bigger bit. Has anyone else had any experience of this or any advice?

Could use a Waterford if she leans on the bit however if not used correctly that could be very harsh. I do think a slightly thicker bit would help, maybe a bit with a lozenge? Or just try going bitless.

 

[Mrs Jingle]

OP neither the Waterford or bitless are BD dressage legal unless rules have recently changed on that, so please ignore the above. You could perhaps try a Baucher (hanging cheek) snaffle, I always found that a little more helpful for one of my fussier horses as it tends to keep the bit steadier in the mouth and can help with leaning. I am sure someone more dressage savvy will be along shortly to try and give you some helpful advice.

 

[NoodlesHalloween]

OP neither the Waterford or bitless are BD dressage legal unless rules have recently changed on that, so please ignore the above. You could perhaps try a Baucher (hanging cheek) snaffle, I always found that a little more helpful for one of my fussier horses as it tends to keep the bit steadier in the mouth and can help with leaning. I am sure someone more dressage savvy will be along shortly to try and give you some helpful advice.

Mrs Jingle Thank you so much. I will try to find out as yes sadly I do not think the beast would take to bitless we would probably end up sideways from a spooky leaf and fly into our best impression of sports cob and we really do not have a neck to cling to as it disappears between her knees and her mane is not a luscious long flowing one to do the full instagram worthy grab

 

[2awesomenatives]

My boy has a very sensitive mouth and i have really struggled to find him a bit that he is happy with, until recently.
He was in a normal Loose ring snaffle when he was backed, then i changed him to a turtle top NS, he went better in that than the snaffle but it still didn't feel right. I then read up about baucher bits and seemed like this could be a good choice as it doesn't interfere with the mouth too much, i borrowed a sweet iron one off a friend and my boy was like a different horse! I then came across Aster bits, bits that are designed by Belle Palmer, an equine dentist. I got in touch with Belle and she asked me to whatsapp her videos of my boy being ridden and pictures of his mouth. She then reccommended one from her range that is called Gentle D Baucher, they are made of titanium and so a lot more accepting as they are really lightweight. the mouth piece was also a lot thinner than the sweet iron baucher that i was currently using. I bit the bullet (scuse the pun) and ordered one, they aren't cheap but OMG, the difference in my boy is amazing!! He is like butter in the mouth now and so much more responsive. He doesn't lean or take hold like he did before. He also used to draw his tongue back behind the bit but again, he doesn't any more!
They have a quiz on the website to start you off but if in doubt, send them a message!