Bit problems

[vera.e]

I've had my horse for three months now. She is a 10 year old ex racer although she hasn't races in 7 years. When we first got her, she was fine with taking the bit but soon later she has become a nightmare with taking it. She will stick her head right up (which is difficult as I'm not very tall and she is 15.2!) I've tried using treats but she still is difficult. Her previous owner had her in a snaffle with a flat link but we have moved her to a lozenge link. Could this have anything to do with this behaviour? I had heard that lozenges were more gentle on the mouth and we also bought this bit as it is a warmer metal which I thought would make it nicer for her. It takes a long time to get her bridle on. It is only the bit that she is worried about as she doesn't mind the rest of the bridle. Any suggestions on what to do?
Thanks

 

[highlandponygirl]

If she is fine with the rest of the bridle then I would think it was a problem with her mouth. Firstly I'd get a dentist out to have a look at her teeth, it could be sharp edges that are giving her sores on her tongue/cheek ets. Make sure the bit fits her correctly and is not too small so it pinches the sides of her mouth. I would also get someone experieced in bitting to assess the conformation of her mouth to make sure you get the right type of bit for her. Did you ride her in the flat link? And was there any change in her riding whe you swapped to the lozenge?

 

[vera.e]

Hi. Thank you for your response. I am getting a dentist out to see her on Friday. Her bit definatly isn't too small. Its the same size as her previous bit. I would have to ask her previous owner how she found riding her with the flat link. When we tried her out before we bought her, she was quite responsive which she is now. She was better today when taking the bit. Maybe its just responding to new owners.
Thanks

 

[Shay]

Hadn't realized the two threads were both yours OP - sorry. Just because the bit is the same size on paper doesn't mean it actually fits the horse. The bit size can vary at least a 1/4 inch between styles. Some bit makes are well known for coming up a bit smaller than their paper size - and some bigger. The dentist is an absolute must. But it could also be the lozenge doesn't give enough room for her tongue - a flat plate is smaller in the mouth. Or that you banged her teeth by accident at one point and she hasn't forgotten yet. Or it could be that she is just testing you as new owners to see what she can get way with now. A good instructor can advise on both bit size and style.

 

[Damnation]

You are getting teeth checked which is good as this would be my first port of call.

Also, have you banged her teeth taking the bit out of her mouth or putting it in? This can make them headshy if you are not quite gentle enough.

Also, what are the mares ears like? Is she ok to have a headcollar put on? Could she have something wrong in her ears?

 

[Cuddly Connemara]

Get her teeth checked by an equine dentist - not a vet. The dentist could tell you if the bit has damaged her mouth in anyway or if it's something else.
It could be the size of the bit my horses bit was a quarter of an inch too big for his mouth and it caused a lot of damage.
Stick with a lozenge rather than something like a French link - they are a much more comfortable mouth piece for most horses.
Do you know what her mouth confirmation is like? Has she got a saggy pallet etc.