Bit experts. .. is there such a bit?

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spacefaer

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Now I consider that I'm reasonably knowledgeable about bits (have offered plenty of advice on the subject on here! ) but I have a horse with a quirky mouth and hoping someone can help

He's had teeth issues which are now totally resolved but obviously still in his head. No mouth conformation issues

He'll work in an outline but his 2 evasions are quite successful - the 1st is to over bend then poke his nose forward and down , pulling me out of the saddle.

The second which he does when frustrated is to throw his head from left to right -ears left, muzzle right Then swing

He also randomly sticks his tongue out (always to the right)

Bit needs to hold him when he's cantering across a field as he's strong ....

Current bit is a D ring copper roller single joint snaffle. Previous successful bit was a Waterford snaffle. Neither will hold him jumping tho

Any bright ideas? ?
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Sounds like he needs more tongue space- I would try-

A bomber bit happy tongue or a Cotswold sport happy tongue ( but these only come in a loose ring and with a horse like this you need a fulmer or D ring)

Myler Mullen mouth D ring or fulmer ( not with those silly holes in the side )

JP curved French link D ring& put strips of latex over the joint..

But think the myler/bomber would work best- the Jp will be better, but not perfect , as they make their bits with such huge link rings
 
Eta- he may not be so strong when happier in the mouth. If not then I think bomber bits have different options with their Mullen mouth.
using latex is a good idea as a starting point- if you have any joint just wind a couple of strips round it to stabilise it but really they need a very curved mouthpiece to be 100%
 
Tongue space would be my guess. How about a 16mm Meir schule? Those copper rollers are usually very chunky. I had one with a whopper of a tongue and he went well in the NS 16 mm hanging cheek as he was also strong.
 
I had problems with a previous mare in that she was strong jumping and out but different in the school, I'm afraid I don't have any bit suggestions but it may be easier to school in one bit and jump and hack in another!
 
Thanks for the suggestions so far.

According to my dentist, he has enough room for a standard bit - not loads but nothing to inhibit him.

The copper roller is narrow - only about 10-12 mm - so that's not a problem.

He's fine hacking, argumentative in the school but settling to that - he's only ever hunted before so his understanding the bit is rudimentary at best! Jumping, he can put his head up and run. .... and I haven't tried him across an open field yet!!

I must add, bit does not have to be dressage legal - I'm only making a more mannerly hunter:-)
 
Myler combination with the short shank, and roller in the middle. I do find you have to have good hands to get the most out of them, the pressure and release needs to be quick!
 
I have just realised that I haven't said he's a 17.3hh heavy weight hunter - quality 3/4 RID - I'm used to big horses as that's all we have but when he pulls me about, he has a lot of power there.

We had a long shank myler combination a few years ago for a lightweight 17.1 (wb x tb) and he might as well have been wearing his head collar!

I'm wondering if there is a copper roller with a French link or a lozenge with some sort of gag ring?

I've got an ordinary roller Cheltenham gag but the mouthpiece is very thick and is single jointed
 
My 17.2 Irish draught cross middleweight had similar issues. I use the bomber bit happy tongue pelham with rollers for hacking and a sprenger schooling bit in the school. The snaffle isn't quite as good as the Pelham but we are trying to work to something dressage legal. I never have to pull or fight in the Pelham and can stop on a sixpence across an open field, it's a fab bit.
 
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