bit specialist...Kent? Hackamore??

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harrihjc

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Now that hopefully Flash is coming back into work, I'm wondering what to do about our bitting issues. His teeth, back and saddle are all fine, but he just does not like any bit. We've tried single jointed snaffles, french link, straight bar, flexible rubber, myler, fat bits, skinny bits...all have the same reaction of mouth opening, head tilting, and him chomping and messing about with his tongue, although he does prefer the myler. He is only 5, could this just be a baby thing, and he just has to get used to it? What else can we try? Are there any bitting specialists that can look at him and advise, i'm sure I saw someone mention them the other week?

I have thought about trying a hackamore or some other form of bitless bridle, even if its just temporary, but I do want to do showing and dressage as well as jumping, and also have no experience in fitting or using them.

What would you do? I'm running out of ideas
 
I tried all sorts of bits with my mare, and ended up popping a flash noseband on her with a flexi-mouth loose-ring snaffle. It was on the dentist's advice, as he said "there's plenty of room for a bit in that big gob of hers, stop her mithering".
She's getting much better now, and as her schooling has improved, so has her contact with the bit. I'm hoping to be able to take the flash off again fairly soon as I can't get one large enough for her nose, and it's a bit of a fudge job!
 
I did wonder about a drop noseband or flash, may see what the dentist says next time they come. He does seem to me to have a very large tongue and not particularly big mouth!
 
You can get one of these bit people out BUT they basically sell mylers and nothing else! Im my eyes it a marketing ploy.

I have a tb with a super sensitive mouth and likie you tried a million bits. I now use a flexi mouth straight bar full cheek ( similer to happy mouths but made and forged much better and dont mark like them ) and my horse loves it. It come in a few variations that combined with a grakle might be help. persoanlly im now keen on flashes or drops so a grackle is a compromise if i should need it.
 
Hmm, what about trying him in a Dually Headcollar for a while, or a Libbys sidepull? Bit less reactive than a hackamore.
On the other hand my horse has only really settled in a drop noseband or a simple cavesson when I have to put a standing martingale on. He doesnt grind his teeth or shake his head anymore and the only bits he is in are an eggbutt french link or a roller center happy mouth.
 
prittstick I do have a dually headcollar an was thinking of giving that a go, but I was thinking that on a 5yr old thats had 6 weeks off it might be a little scary....however I rode him for the first time again tonight and he was as quiet and laid back as ever, so I may give it a try!
 
You will need to be very careful if riding in a dually. You wont be allowed to ride on the roads to my knowledge in it and the highway code states you must use a bridle.

You other issues could be if there was an incident your insurance may not pay up.
 
thanks for that, hacking is generally too traumatic for me to consider using the dually anyway, but I hadn't considered the insurance side of it...
 
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