Bit recommendations for a horse that grabs the bit on one side.

JessPickle

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Hi All

had the vet dentist out today to do both the horses teeth. Pickle's as expected were worn on one side, he'd almost created a small grove in the tooth behind the bars which is where his bit is sitting due to the way he tends to lean and grab the bit. Vet suggested either trying bitless or some variety of myler. I can ride him bitless but obviously this is a no go for dressage and I wouldn't be comfortable hacking.

So any recommendations, Mylers are a minefield for me!

Currently ridden in a full cheek snaffle with lozenge, or a NS universal. Occastionaly a waterford if he is leaning too much.
 

bluewhippet

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Ring up the Horsebitbank.com. I am dealing with them at the moment for my gelding.

I am useless at all but the most basic theory of bitting and they are very very helpful. And you can loan bits for 30 days and see what works.

They have the range of Mylers, as well as numerous other brands, some very specialised.
 

Scoutie

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My mare used to lean very heavily on the left rein, it was greatly improved by a Myler and she is still ridden in one but what helped most was physio. Following an accident out hunting she hurt her shoulder and saw the physio, the physio commented on a scar on her backside on the right and said that this could be treated. Amazingly after several treatments with a tens machine she no longer hangs on the left rein.

I appreciate that your horse may not have had an old injury like this but it may be worth getting him checked out by a physio in case there is a physical reason for the problem. I am still stunned at the result!
 

JessPickle

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Could be worth a shot, the only thing I'd say makes me think it possibly isn't that, is when he's doing something he loves e.g XC of galloping on grass he doesn't do this. He's strong but not one sided and grabbing the bit.
 

Emily91

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Could be worth a shot, the only thing I'd say makes me think it possibly isn't that, is when he's doing something he loves e.g XC of galloping on grass he doesn't do this. He's strong but not one sided and grabbing the bit.

Excitement and adrenaline whilst XC etc could mask pain.
In my experience 90% of the time leaning on the bit is not a bitting issue. Personally I would get his back checked out. and the fit of his saddle.
I hhave had 2 project horses that came to me leaning on one side of the bit. Both were found to have back and/or teeth issues and with both we corrected this first and then went back to basic correct schooling in a loose ring snaffle and made sure the muscles where built up in the right way. Both went on to be cracking horses.
I dont have much experience wit myler bits though, sorry

Hope that helps a little
 

spacefaer

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My first reaction would be to get his back checked - IME a horse that leans on the left rein (for instance) often has issues right hind - I use a Mctimoney chiropractor who helps hugely in keeping my guys evened up :)
 

labruyere

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agree with other posters - bit is not the (whole) answer
- i'm assuming you've done the obvious and tried a loose ring already...

given there are no injuries to mouth and teeth have been sorted,
that any problems with the back have been dealt with

then, with the usual caveats of not having seen or ridden the horse and going purely on the info included in your post...

firstly, do both your horses favour the same side - in which case ask yourself honestly whether you ride with completely even and level hands

otherwise, i would say the way to solve it lies, in lots of schooling of the shoulder fore and flexing variety to even the horse up.
these sort of exercises DON'T require access to a school, they can easily be worked into a hack

(lunging him in elastic insert side reins could help too)

best regards
 
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