Bit Problem?

[setanta]

Hello everyone,
I'm having problems with my 6 year old gelding, he is refusing contact a lot, tilting head sideways and is chewing the bit constantly. Hes had vet check his teeth and everything's fine, so i have ruled mouth problems. So, i'm guessing its his bit. He has a D ring, double-jointed snaffle (the center bit is oval shaped) but the center is divided down the middle allowing it rotate/swivel, i have no idea what it is called and i haven't changed it since i bought him in august 2014. Any suggestions on what i could change it too or what the problem may be?

Many thanks x

 

[Barnacle]

It could be a lot of other things too... When did this start or has he been this way since you got him?

If it's recent, think about other things that might have changed - is he fatter now the grass is up? Maybe it's a saddle fitting issue... Or even his feet... Are you riding outside more? Maybe it's the flies...

I would also check that it isn't another part of the bridle that's the problem. One colt I work with got very iffy about contact when he was a bit sore from the headpiece. That was easily fixed with a poll guard.

Also, try just changing your riding - give him more of a loose rein and take up contact gradually. If you can release the pressure when he takes contact and increase contact when he doesn't, he will be more inclined to take up contact than if you are always tense on his mouth. I would personally also try lunging him with (fairly long) side reins to see if the problem is something you can spot from the ground.

If it is the bit, maybe try something rubber. I would also check that it isn't fitted too loose (that is sometimes why they chew) and that it's neither too wide or too narrow as both can cause irritation (if it's too wide it can catch on the corners of the mouth and cause sideways evasion).

 

[britisheventer]

my boy did this. Switched him from a comfort snaffle to a loose ring freaked out by the the action of it. Get a rubber one, sometimes it's the metal or the different action.