Bit help/recommendations/advice please?

Tiarella

Tiarella

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I school a ladys horse at the yard for her and currently competing novice level with him. He has always been ridden in a hanging cheek snaffle and the mouth piece is quite thin. We both agreed after dressage yday he isn't happy with it. Ever since I've known him (5 years) he has slobbered his Tongue along the side of his face when ridden always to the inside, I have managed to almost cure this with still hands and a very consistent contact always holding him in outside rein but will still occasionally do it and with his owner who is not quite so experienced he does it a lot.

A few months ago I tried a loose ring French link snaffle but think he needs something more fixed especially when owner rides. What sort of bit could anyone recommend? Obviously it's trial and error too. Don't mind price but something that he will be comfy in and dressage legal.

Thankyou :)
 
Is it a jointed mouthpiece or straight bar?

Nothing that suits mouth problems seems to be dressage legal, in my limited experience (my mare is a fussy cowbag).
 
A fulmer or full cheek snaffle will give stability, if used with keepers it will be more stable if required although the fulmer should always have them anyway.
You should also get a more consistent feel than with the hanging cheek, I find they are not the easiest bit to remain on a true contact with and rarely use them.
You will have options of french link but possibly he may like a lozenge or roller to keep his tongue occupied although often it is trial and error.
 
A French link mouthpiece. Haha well that could be an issue then :p I'm hoping to do elem soon on him so can try double bridle with him but owner wants a dressage legal snaffle.

He has quite a 'flobbery' mouth with a big Tongue so not sure whether a thin (which he has at the mo) or a thick mouthpiece would be better?
 
Try the one you have it will give you an idea of whether he likes the full cheek and you can move on from there, the first of the ones you linked will give him more room for his tongue and you can trial for 30 days which helps with the expense.
 
EKW said:
I have never had a horse or pony go badly in a Magic Bit - a loose ring port mouth snaffle.

Just throwing it out there.
Click to expand...

Is that a Cambridge mouth snaffle? Is it dressage legal, I didn't think ported mouth pieces were but no expert! Mine is going as well as she ever has, in a kimblewick, so would love to find a ported dressage legal bit as I think she likes the port mouthpiece.
 
I've always assumed that dressage legal was basic mouthpieces - no waterfords, curb chains or bike chains and the likes. And not to fix the reins and head piece into specific places like a Wilkie or a gag.
 
EKW said:
I've always assumed that dressage legal was basic mouthpieces - no waterfords, curb chains or bike chains and the likes. And not to fix the reins and head piece into specific places like a Wilkie or a gag.
Click to expand...


http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/uploads/File/Rule Book 31aug 2010.pdf

8a,b,c Snaffle with jointed mouthpiece where middle piece is rounded (including french link)
9. Loose ring snaffle with cheeks (Fulmer).
10. Hanging cheek snaffle.
11. Snaffle with rotating mouthpiece.
a-d. Rotary bit
1. Loose ring snaffle.
2. Egg-butt snaffle.
3. Racing snaffle D-ring.
4. Egg-butt snaffle with cheeks.
5. Snaffle with upper cheeks only.
6. Straight bar snaffle. Permitted also with mullen mouth and eggbutt rings.
7. Double jointed with roller in the centre.
 
cambridge is not dressage legal due to the port.

RS I think you will have to have a play, mum's mare has a big tongue and is fussy, she likes a mullen mouth hanging cheek (thinnish mouthpiece) as it stays very still in her mouth (the hanging cheeks are better for this than a normal cheek.)
 
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