Bit for mouthy TB

[hatters]

Can anyone suggest bits to try on my mouthy TB. 3.5 years old. Dentist came last week, all fine there.

He has a habit of overbending and chomping on the bit, also somehow manages to get the bit through his mouth from time to time.

He is currently in a loose ring french link sweet iron.

 

[Maesfen]

Nice kind mullen mouth snaffle, whether it's Vulcanite, rubber or SS; most seem to appreciate them and don't fuss in them.

Edited to say, just noticed his age, it's natural for him to fuss a bit especially if he wasn't mouthed properly; your double jointed bit will encourage him to fuss and you'll need to be very tactful with your hands to not get him overbending because of the restriction if that makes sense - and not meant to offend you either!

 

[hatters]

My friend has a full cheek flexi mullen mouth which I can try - interested to see if he prefers the action of no joint?

He has raced, and came to me in the loose ring - am always very conscious of my hands as he has a very soft mouth (and want to keep it that way).

 

[katie_and_toto]

Try a Myler

 

[teddyt]

He is young and it is normal for them to mouth. I personally would never put a straight bar bit in a youngster. i think it is a good thing for them to mouth a bit, not bad. Straight bars are too fixed and can push on the tongue. Carry on with a french link loose ring snaffle but a stainless steel one, with a thin mouth. He will likely grow out of it.

Over bending is because hes not going forward enough, in self carriage. Again, hes young, thats why.
Bit coming through is because of the riders hands and/or the wrong size bit. If needed try a french link cheek snaffle to help with steering.

I have to say though that your issues are probably due to his age and stage of training. He needs to be trained as a riding horse and this takes years!

If it was me i really wouldnt worry that he is mouthing at his age and stage of training. you just have to make sure he is comfortable

 

[Baked Bean]

I echo what has been said about being mouthy, few horses accept the bit naturally and better he is playing with his bit at this age than ignoring it!

I like JP bits as I think they are sympathetically designed for the mouth.

with regard to overbending, this is common on ex-racers and you simply need to re-educate him to accept the bit quietly. Long reining may help if you know how to do this and also, lunging in a long side rein with elastic inserts should help, lunge without until the horse is naturally seeking the rein, you will see him stretching his neck and head forwards and down, and then attach the side reins and focus on forwards. This apporach is a gradual one!