Bit recommendation

A

annt

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11 September 2016
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Hi folks
My mare is getting fitter by the week but unfortunately is getting very headstrong and head shakey with it! I don't like to ride in anything but a snaffle but think I may need to nip this in the bud or it will affect the way she's schooling which is coming on slowly but surely. I am trying to be sympathetic to her lovely soft mouth but it is becoming quite difficult to do this - any suggestions on which bit would be best but not too harsh? (She doesn't play with her bit in her mouth at all which is 😊)
Thanks
 
Yes, all good there. Vet done check of everything. She's just come back into work after a 5 year break so doing well considering. Just forgetting her manners I think! Xx
 
Interesting that she doesn't "mouth" the bit at all - my old lad is like this and will only be happy with a sweet iron or, preferably, a Happy Mouth - but the latter have a very short life as he chews them to death within a couple of months so it tends to be a sweet iron! For brakes I rely on a grackle.

Might be worth investing in a bit adviser - if you're on a large-ish yard you could possibly arrange for a few of you and it doesn't cost much. We had one come to ours a couple of years ago and it was fascinating - she recommended bits based on the mouth anatomy and obviously what the horse was like etc.
 
What mouthpiece is she in? I always try a mullen mouth of some type with a fixed ring (baucher, d-ring, full cheek or eggbutt) on "head shakey" horses with no control problems... particularly mares I find like a "quiet" bit. I can't ride mine in anything with any kind of joint and she doesn't need leverage. Those types often just want something they can hold that won't wiggle much.
 
Thanks for that. Been chatting to various folks and it would seem my mare is the same. She jus gets panicky in any fancy bit so a very simple snaffle and going back to basics with respecting the contact is proving to work so far. She is a different mare after a week of groundwork in the snaffle 😁❤️
 
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