Bit reccomendation please

V

verient

Well-Known Member
Joined
17 August 2006
Messages
160
Visit site
Hi, I have a 14.1hh appaloosa gelding. He is currently in a loose ring snaffle french link. The skin around his mouth is very tough and he has a 'hard mouth' and is not very sensitive to the riders hands. In the school he will lean especially on downwards transitions (even if i use as like rein aids as possible). Also out hacking he pulls whilst cantering but isn't too strong that I need a stronger bit. The main issue is that when I have ridden the skin around his mouth is always red and sore. The bit just seems to hurt his skin. Also it feels hard. Any recs? Feel free to ask any questions
 
Some random thoughts...

does his mouth get wet when you ride him? He should salivate nicely, when he's working and accepting the bit.

If his mouth is dry, then the bit will be uncomfortable - try rubbing it repeatedly against your dry hand and see! You could try a different metal in the same design of bit - sweet iron for instance is meant to encourage salivation - or some of the KK/neue schule/salox type metals

The plastic bits will rub if he's dry mouthed - some horses are naturally drier than others - you can try giving him a bit of apple to encourage salivation as you put the bit in.

you could also put some vaseline on the corners of his mouth to protect it too
 
I agree that sweet iron is good, but I find that they need to be replaced more often because they kind of rust, so become rough.

Does the bit pinch at all? If it does, maybe eggbutt cheeks would be better.

My gelding got pinkish-red skin in the corners of his mouth from being strong, so maybe something a little sharper would help his soreness, just to teach him not to lean. A waterford may help, or a hanging cheek, if you can, try one of these because some don't like them or it may not make much of a difference.

Does the bit fit well? If it is too small, it could be chaffing but too large and the cheek pieces hold the bit so that there is constant and unnecessary pressure on the corners.

Hope this helps!

P.S. his leaning probably causing the soreness, so have an instructor help you sort this out, and she'll be able to give you some advice too.
 
thanks everyone.

i have tried a hanging cheek, no difference.
the bit does not pinch.
yes, his mouth does seem dry.
i already use vaseline which helps a little.
it fits fine.

will try a few more mouth pieces. any more suggestions thanks x
 
I would recommend a bitless as well. Some horses really dont do well with the bit, so it may be worthwhile retraining him to a bitless or rope halter. There are quite a few internet sources so that you can find out how to do this. Its important to encourage the horse to be really light in your hands so ground work would be very usefull. Again, lots of info out there on it. I prefer a rope halter than a Dr cooks because if he leans on the bit, you may find he leans in a Dr Cooks as well.
Try and find someone who teaches natural horsemanship, like a Silversand natural horsemanship trainer or someone who has worked with parelli, mark rashid or ray hunt. This way you can teach the groundwork and get your horse really light in your hand and they should be familiar with working with bitless horses as many will train in a halter.
But i think the best way to solve the problem is to get rid of the bit. I believe He will thank you for it.
http://www.youtube.com/user/horseawareness#p/u
This guy has a few vids on youtube, but you should do a little research yourself to see how a horse should ride in a halter or bitless.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top