Bit for an overactive mouth

E

eva

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 July 2010
Messages
649
Location
London
Visit site
Hello lovely people,

I have a 5 yo Andy who chews his bit all the time. Had his teeth done, back ok too. He chews to the point that there are impressions on the metal, develops lipstick foam, however he can clearly swallow because it doesn't drip. I've tried a lozenge bit and an eggbutt french link and it doesn't help! I also need something dressage legal? He is generally very mouthy, would chew on anything. Do you think there might be a bit that could help?
 
Dante does this..... he is slowly getting better though, and it is worse when he is tense. He used to do it even if he was just stood with a bit in! (to the point where he WOULD get white foam everywhere....)
Dan actually seems best in a slim metal mullen mouth pelham, don't have any 'fussiness' in it at all, and was surprisingly ok when I briefly tried a double on him, but this isn't helpful for dressage!
Straight bar bits do seem to be best to a degree, and I keep meaning to try Dan in a plain eggbutt snaffle (you can get shaped ones which seem the best idea?) but I did also find that he eventually settled in the full cheek lozenge bit that he's got now, after I put a flash on him for a month or so. As I say, he still chomps when he's tense though!
Also found that the heavier the bit, the better. Did try a myler hanging cheek and it was awful, as he just picks it up and puts it down constantly in halt & walk, and the noise goes through me :o
Hope you find a solution! :)
 
What noseband is he in? I have known a few horses do this with a flash on. Take it off, voilà, happy mouth.
 
I was persuaded by my trainer to buy my horse Neueu Schule double bridle bits because of his big tongue and overactive mouth. You can buy a snaffle version, the Verbindend bit, which has a single joint but a shape that makes a huge arch over the tongue when you use it. My horse is very different in it, much more giving in the mouth. The snaffle version costs about £40 and is available on trial from bitbanks if you google it.

I've also had horses go very well indeed in a plain mullen mouth snaffle and they are dead cheap to buy though out of fashion and you may need to order it.
 
skewby, he's in a loos-ish cavesson, I'd go with no nosebands if it wouldn't be for silly dressage rules :(
thanks a lot, Sol and cptrayes, it actually makes sense to me to try a straight bar now! *off to the shops* :D
 
Tried him in a mullen mouth today - much more contact, much less chewing, steering ok, so far so good! will see how it goes but thanks everyone for useful input :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top