Bit/mouthpiece suggestions for strong horse with a mouth that splits!

[Dusty85]

Hi all, Im just after a bit (excuse the pun!) of advise really as Im really wanting to avoid hurting my horse but yet not sure what else to do.

So... 16.2hh TB, 8 years old, Ive had him for 2 years, no one evented him before so he's a bit 'green' in that dept. No one also enforced any sort of rules/manners with him also in terms of jumping and listening to the rider which is where we are having issues.

He is very enthusiastic over SJ/XC. Most of the time he will lock on and pull, but when trying to check him, and bring him back on his hocks he just pulls harder and brings his head up and shakes. Im very conscious of not constantly holding, and intstead, very strong half halts and sit up. (Ive been having lessons with a v experiences eventer who just says he is being rude and needs to listen more, but says Im doing the right thing)

We have done work with canter poles/grids etc etc. (but i understand we are still a work in progress..)

I always vaseline the corners of his mouth, but he has split the corners even when doing this. I ride him in a Neue schule (spelling!) Universal with a waterford mouthpiece.

Im wondering whether to try changing the mouth piece? incase its the nobly bits/links that are still causing the split.

I hate the fact that I could be causing him pain, but at the same time he needs to listen to me!

Any suggestions? I am going jumping tomorrow so was going to borrow a dutch gag french link just to see if that is any better.

Thanks and apologies if its a bit of an epic post!

 

[khalswitz]

I'm no bitting expert, but my sister had this problem with her old pony, that she was very strong to jump but would cut up her mouth. She jumped her in a Happy Mouth lozenge pelham - the curb was strong enough on poll and jaw for control, but the lozenge and the soft rubber mouthpiece worked wonders for stopping her mouth from bleeding. Would be worth having a look at their range - don't know if they do a universal Happy Mouth but might be worth a shot?

 

[only_me]

Rubber pelhem?

 

[IncaCola]

I have a similar problem. I must admit i found a waterford mouthpiece to be the worst candidate for spliting at the corners especially if you are pulling the bit through the mouth trying to slow him up. I would change to a lozenge or even mullen curved mouthpiece to start. i also use the new geleze bit guards and wrap the edges of the bit in latex bandage (horse health sell both) and they definitely help. The bit guards help stop the bit being pulled through aswell as protecting corners. Re bit the ideal is to find somethingthat he doesnt pull against, although easier said than done. You might find the ns elevator with lozenge mouth piece to be the next step up from the universal. i show jump in this but it isnt enough for him xc but he is very bold and strong. In my opinion it is much better than a dutch gag.

Rather than vaseline i use manuka honey Meloderm Ointment - 40% UMF15+ Active Manuka Honey. It really heals up cuts quickly. You can buy it at manukahoney.co.uk. I Also use bit butter around corners to keep it soft and supple. Hope this helps

 

[IncaCola]

Thought i would add that i have never found happy mouth bits good for stopping splitting. Nathe are much better and have used a rubber pelham on another horse successfully. Some horse go well in a pelham others dont but worth a shot and nice and stble in the mouth. On all other metals wrapping in the latex helps.

 

[Dusty85]

Thank you all for the above comments- I am definitely not a bit expert and im willing to try pretty much anything to not cause him pain.

I did suspect that the mouthpiece might be making it worse! I have thought about a pelham for a while but never tried it- I think i will be giving it a go!

Thanks again! What with I do without you guys!!?

 

[khalswitz]

Thought i would add that i have never found happy mouth bits good for stopping splitting. Nathe are much better and have used a rubber pelham on another horse successfully. Some horse go well in a pelham others dont but worth a shot and nice and stble in the mouth. On all other metals wrapping in the latex helps.

Some horses really don't like to jump in a curb, so not always ideal, but can work very well. My sister also used a happy mouth Cheltenham gag which was great, but her pony did seem to prefer the pelham. Obviously, she did find the happy mouth type bits good at stopping her pony splitting, but horses for courses.

 

[KatB]

If the neue schule bit works, I'd just wrap the mouthpiece in latex. Then you have a liveable mouthpiece which shouldn't split his mouth. Cheaper than buying a new bit too.

 

[Dusty85]

Inca Cola- do you use roundings with your elevator?

 

[Dusty85]

If the neue schule bit works, I'd just wrap the mouthpiece in latex. Then you have a liveable mouthpiece which shouldn't split his mouth. Cheaper than buying a new bit too.

Good idea...as the NS bits arent cheap! Can i buy the latex on horse health too?

 

[Rum Tum]

We had a pony with this problem. We found straight bar and in particular a Myler with 'squared off' corners, rather than the usual rounded was much better. If you have a look at some Mylers, you will probably see what i mean. We actually found that wrapping the bit in latex was worse as it almost seemed to stick and cause more harm. But its probably a case of trial and error with each horse. We made a massive improvement by ensuring that we never put a bit back in without making sure the mouth was completely healed. Meant plenty of riding in a hackamore!

 

[Dusty85]

His mouth only ever splits when we jump (mostly after XC rather than SJ), and I am careful at making sure the edges have/are nearly healed before anything goes back in. I have a hackamore for that exact purpose (and post dentist!).

I am religious at putting vaseline in before jumping, and i thought this was working, but his mouth did split again after last time. The last thing that I want is for him to associate XC and me putting more pressure on his mouth with pain, as im sure that will end badly.

 

[Rum Tum]

It was the same with our pony. Only split when jumping and usually cross country. The trouble is that once it has split, I don't think skin is ever as good again and is always vulnerable. We definitely improved things considerably by getting right bit and healing the mouth completely before bitting again. We also used 'Bit Butter' rather than vaseline for lubricating. It comes from Horse Health (and probably other places too)

 

[IncaCola]

Dusty85 you can use roundings with the elevator although i dont as need the leverage. Also can try with or without a back strap/ curb although dont put that on to tight or it stops the rotation too soon. This bit definitely lightens the forehand more than universal or dutch gag. You may find the pelham makes him bear down a bit. i think you need to try a few and go with the one that lets you ride with the lightest hands.

 

[Rum Tum]

Someone just reminded me that Manuka Honey is brilliant for healing it up too

 

[Dusty85]

Thanks- Im just always wary of using those dutch gag/elevator/pelham type bits on the lowest hole without roundings- but as you say if you need the leverage then you need it!

I will have a go at trying one of all the above and see what works.

Im still a little confused as to the mouthpiece though- i will avoid the waterford- but in terms of rubber vs happy mouth, curved vs straight and jointed vs french link!

 

[Mavis007]

Have you tried a combination bit such as the nathe or myler? I used to SJ a very strong horse with a sensitive mouth and found the nathe combination great as the actual mouthpiece was very gentle but the poll, nose and curb actions all together gave sufficient brakes without too much pressure in any one place

 

[Dusty85]

Are these the gel bit guards that were mentioned?


http://www.horsehealth.co.uk/equipment/gel/gel-accessories/gel-bit-guards

I did have a quick look at the nathe bits- but i have never used anything like them in the past and they look quite different to anything im used too. Ive also not given much thought to a combination noseband- but do like the idea of lots of different pressure points.

The issue is being able to try all of these things!

 

[FfionWinnie]

Latex bit wrap (its actually bandage and you can just cut it) is on eBay, green and white box packet for about 6 quid.

 

[whizzer]

I like waterfords on my horse but had to stop using them as he's got a weak bit on 1 side of his mouth(caused by his extreme pulling when jumping in a different bit a few years ago!) The bobbles on the Waterford always eventually end up splitting the same bit. I tried latex wrap,Vaseline,bit butter but nothing prevented it. Nothing ever healed it properly until I discovered using Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream. It's fine now as long as I steer clear of my Waterford.

 

[Dusty85]

I like waterfords on my horse but had to stop using them as he's got a weak bit on 1 side of his mouth(caused by his extreme pulling when jumping in a different bit a few years ago!) The bobbles on the Waterford always eventually end up splitting the same bit. I tried latex wrap,Vaseline,bit butter but nothing prevented it. Nothing ever healed it properly until I discovered using Elizabeth Arden 8 hour cream. It's fine now as long as I steer clear of my Waterford.

Hahaha..... I use 8 hour cream.....now my horse isnt content with just taking all of my money, but now he wasnts my face moisturiser as well!!?!?! Pfff!

 

[whizzer]

I used a universal on above horse as it had braking issues when jumping.

 

[whizzer]

I'd heard about using 8 hr cream but was resisting taking mine to the yard, the dentist was out 1 day & I was really embarrassed about the split mouth but they said it was nothing compared to the things they see!!! They said the only thing they ever found works is the 8 hr cream so I gave in & took it! Had to treat myself to a new one obviously!

 

[Dusty85]

Whizzer... Does the 8 hour protectant work? its the one that you always get in the pack, the thick oily one.... I might give that a go...?

 

[measles]

Can I add to the discussion that we have a jumping pony who has a very similar issue in that she is very strong but gets a split at the side of her mouth. She is currently in the only but that can be used gently with minimal contact, a straight bar happy mouth American gag. I do wonder if having the same bit made with a nathe mouthpiece would help as I am a huge fan of them for strong horses as I find they often don't pull as much against such a mild and flexible mouthpiece. However the nathe American gag I had made which is just pony club legal in the length of sides doesn't had enough leverage to enable my son to hold her.

I was told that Anbusol was the thing to apply to the curbers of the mouth. It's not made any difference but my excuse for buying it did entertain the chemist!

 

[Old Bat]

I'm an Anusol fan! Its the quickest healing cream for sore mouths and seems to take the pain away...always had a tube on the lorry when we did mounted games and kept the chemist well entertained to boot!

 

[whizzer]

I've never tried the protectant,only ever used the original stuff.