Bit for bruised mouth

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Nieriel87

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Hi guys,
My horse had a bit of an accident earlier this week, she spooked at something whilst going into the school and she shot back out the school and down the side. It resulted in the lunge line bracing on the fence post as I was still in the school which meant the bit snatched her and and she now has all bruising in her mouth and very soft bars.
I've ridden her in a hackamore today but I'm meant to be going out Autumn Hunting on Saturday.
She's not particularly strong but can be excitable, I usually ride her in a sweet iron Dutch Gag as I find it better to have a bit more in her mouth and use less hand.
It will only be her 3rd time out but last time she was alot more excitable than the 1st time and it's a fair way from home so don't want to get out there and have no control but also don't want to hurt her mouth further (I rode her in her usual bit last night and she seemed fine so don't think it bothers her but she's not strong on the flat so I barely touched her mouth)
I'm debating taking her in the hackamore but would feel I'd have a bit more control in a bit so just wondered if there were any very soft bits that I could use instead? Im planning on plastering the bit and her mouth in bit butter and will be riding her in a hackamore for everything else!
Thanks
 
From the very (very) little I know about hunting I'd suggest it may not be the best time to try a new bit. Particularly in a sore mouth.

So, with AmyMay on this one.
 
I would also vote not taking her out. It's not the end of the world to miss out this time. Your horse will be thankful for it and her mouth will heal quicker. It would be unfair to ride her with a bruised mouth.
 
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i'd be the same, i wouldn't risk it. She could be damaged further, hackamores can be harsh and you don't know how she will react or how strong she will be. Hunting adrenaline can mask a lot of pain for some horses and she could damage herself further
 
Plenty of season left, you risk her having to have a lot more time off hunting her bitted and I wouldn't take a horse I've only ridden a few times in a hackamore that isn't an experienced hunter out in one.
 
Another who would not be considering hunting. I would either give the mare time off or ride some gentle hacks in either a standard hackamore or a 'bitless bridle for a bit
 
Maybe, this time just give her chance to heal. Maybe do a bit more work in the hackamore and maybe you could try another style of bitless as hackamores can be quite severe. A cross under or orbitless might be good options. I have known a horse that was always ridden in a bit be put in an orbitless and the owner liked it so much she kept riding bitless.
 
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Thank you for all the replies - I haven't only ridden her a few times in a hackamore, I used to jump her affiliated in a hackamore hence why I was considering taking her in that as she's always been fine in one and as it's Autumn Hunting (so alot slower than normal hunting - mainly standing around with a few canters in between) thought it maybe a good time to try!
I wouldn't have even been considering a bit if she was in anyway bothered or in pain with it - she lunged fine afterwards and rode fine last night in a contact and she's quite a sensitive mare so she would tell you if it hurt, it's only when I took the bit out yesterday I noticed some bruising had appeared on her gums but I agree that any bit may make it worse and therefore become painful!
I think I'll either give it a miss or go for the hackamore as like I said she's been ridden in one alot as I'd quite like to see if she'd be ok - I may stick with it if it suits - she always jumped well in it!
Thanks again.
 
I made a bit switch once autumn hunting for something he went nicely in for other activities it was the worse morning ever especially going downhill!
If you think she will be fine in the hackamore take her in that :) and if it doesn't work bring her home again.
 
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