Bit Suggestions please.

[SonnysHumanSlave]

Ok so Ted I have always ridden in a eggbutt snaffle, now he has a large tongue, and so opens his mouth when ridden to evade the bit.

Now yesterday I picked up a Nue Schule bit off my friend to try him in as suggested by reputable horse people.

So went for walk round the block last night, and he was not so great although hes not been ridden for a week or so, and I could feel the difference and do prefer it.

Now today I went in the school today and he was still a pain, and weird so go OH to take a few pics, and then I see this:

Now this is where my problem lies, Is he getting his tongue over the bit?

Also I need some suggestions bits to try please.

Thanks.

 

[Kenzo]

Has your EDT had a look and told you a bit more about his mouth confo? if not it would be a good idea, least then you will have a clearer understanding on the type of mouth your horse has, then you could ring a bitting shop and speak to someone who could will recomend you trialing a selection of bits that will be suited to your horses mouth and the problem you are having, or they could come out and fit them for you and see exactly what is going on.

Do you have an instructor that perhaps can double check with you that there is nothing else that could be causing her to put the tongue over the bit, just incase it's something else causing it? (tack/saddle/back for example).

 

[SonnysHumanSlave]

He's ridden in a treeless as last year we did have problems with his saddle.

Hes had his back done, and so it is just this.

He can go lovely, and did today, was just on the odd occasion he did this.

How do I find a bitting shop/.?

 

[Kenzo]

There is quite a few that will be able to give you some advice over the phone.

Neue Schule, apparently they are very helpful over the phone.

The Horse Bit Bank

The Horse Bit Shop

Those are to name but a few but I'm sure there are plenty more about too.

 

[jsr]

I'd say yours first port of call is your EDT and work from there. I ride my cob in a NS and the losange mouth piece suits him extreamly well, he's got a very fleshy thick mouth and it's the best mouth piece I've found for him, but I'd certainly be ringing my EDT before the bit people.

 

[Persephone]

My mare has a fat tongue and low palate <<< like that!

She is in a Sprenger KK Dynamic Lozenge Eggbut and I see no reason to change it, hiring bit's may be the way forward for you.

 

[Wagtail]

He is sticking his tongue out because the bit is hurting it. Sometimes lozenge type bits can cause this, althogh they suit many horses. What type of NS bit is it?

 

[Wagtail]

Your first bit was a simple eggbut. These can cause pressuresores to develop on the roof of the mouth which is why the horse opens its mouth to avoid this. If you have then gone ont a bit with a lozenge and your horse is sticking his tongue out, then it is causing pain on the tongue. I would suggest this bit:

http://www.horsebitbank.com/demi-anky-loose-ring-16mm-25.phtml

I have yet to come across a horse that does not go well in it. It is bent so that it does not hit the roof of the mouth or cause pressure on the tongue, so I would bet that it would suit your boy just nicely.

 

[Jennyharvey]

He is sticking his tongue out because the bit is hurting it. Sometimes lozenge type bits can cause this, althogh they suit many horses. What type of NS bit is it?

I agree. The horse generally only does this or tries to evade the bit due to discomfort. I would want to teach this horse to respond better, and lighter to the bit, to minimise the amount of presure being applied by your hands.

When the bit is just sitting in the mouth without pressure being applied, most horses will have their mouth closed. When you take up a contact, the horse should respond by being light in your hand. If he is not, he will resist, lean and open his mouth. If he is taught that by softening his mouth, it will hurt less. But if he isnt taught this, he will respond to rein pressure by leaning, and trying to evade the pressure.

Try a bit that gives plenty of tongue room, and encourage him to soften in the bit, and to relax his jaw. Instead of having him try to escape the pressure.