Bit/mouthpiece recommendations please

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SWE

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Looking for a 'bit' 😋 of advice for my baby pony.. I broke him a few months ago in an unjointed wavy happy mouth loose ring snaffle. I was probably riding him for a good 3/4 weeks before even asking for a proper contact and when I started asking he was very responsive and after a few more weeks he was working in a really nice forward consistent contact.

I'm not sure why but I then put him in a neue schule (I'm pretty sure it's a team up bit, but it's basically just a French link). He goes really well in it but it's almost a bit too much for him! His tenancy would be to occasionally drop behind the bit or open his mouth to evade. It's not bad and most people wouldn't think anything of it but I really don't want him to become fussy, so I put him back in the happy mouth. I much prefer him in at as it's a much stronger consistent contact, but I think I want something in between! Can anyone recommend anything? Something just to aid steering a little bit but something that has a very soft mouthpiece...

Thnak you in advance!
 
2 reasons (sorry didn't explain v well)

Steering is not as great so slightly less control in that sense
Not dressage legal (I think that was the initial reason I changed actually as we went to a little show!)
 
I believe you can get the happy mouth bits in a non wavy version now, and maybe try a full cheek or hanging cheek if you think it would improve your steering 😃😃

Fiona
 
Im a fan of the good ole snaffle, with a lozenge. Depends on the horses mouth/tongue but you can get them thicker or thinner. They're legal and basic and the "snaffle mouthed" adage still always applies (when it works)
 
We have had a similar issue with our 6yo. She was evading the bit, and just not taking the contact forward. With upward transitions / loss of balance, she would do a little head jerk, and then settle. Her new bit arrived and the difference was amazing, consistent in the contact, no issues with upwards transitions, and shes now reaching out even more. She used to be in a French link. But shes now in a D ring mullen, made by a company called Trust. The D ring helps with steering too.
 
SWE said:
2 reasons (sorry didn't explain v well)

Steering is not as great so slightly less control in that sense
Not dressage legal (I think that was the initial reason I changed actually as we went to a little show!)
Click to expand...

Find a friend with a good bit box!
You can get dressage legal HMs without the bobbles or equally rubber or vulcanite Mullen’s are cheap as chips. Nathe, Sprenger and a couple of others do very good flexible Mullen’s that are less bulky in the mouth than HM/rubber/vulcanite.

That would be my starting point, with D or full cheeks if needed.

If/when you reach the stage where you need more bit mobility or think metal is on the cards the MB32 mouthpiece is useful for those that are a bit contact shy.
 
Thanks all very helpful will look into suggestions!

From people's experiences would it usually be the metal or the joint that means he's backing off slightly?
 
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