Bit Suggestions?

Thursday

Thursday

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 July 2009
Messages
110
Location
Ireland
Visit site
I have a spirited 5 yr old mare who has issues with acceptance of the bit. Normally I ride her in a hanging cheek French link but this week I was reading up about Myler bits and made a decision to get one to try it with her as it sounded like that’s what she needs.

Sounds good, right? Wrong! I decided to try an egg butt cherry roller. That went ok, a little difference but nothing to write home about.

Last night I tried a straight happy mouth egg butt with her and the difference was unreal! She actually carried her head herself at times and was very responsive.

I found that she was a little strong in this so I am thinking of maybe a French link happy mouth. Or should I get the Myler? What do others think? Any suggestions/experiences?

Also, can horses bruise in the mouth?
 
Yes horses can bruise in the mouth, just like any sensitive area of your skin. If she is going nicely in the straight happy mouth then why change? Why not school a bit in it and see how she settles to it? No point in trying a myler unless you think one of them might help with a prob you have. If the straight bar worsk I would stick with it tbh! Lovely gentle bit and if your mare likes it then all is well! What made you change out of the hanging cheek? V obvious bit, but are her back and teeth up to date?
 
She’s just a little strong in the straight bar for me!

The reason I changed from a hanging cheek was just to try out other bits to see was there something better – as I know she is good but there is something just not right with her.

Ya, everything is ok with her re back teeth . But she has always been like this. Very reluctant to accept a bit.

Don’t ask me why – because I really don’t know! – but she was broken in a snaffle and then half way through she had her teeth checked and was finished being broken in a hackamore. So personally, I don’t think she ever learned properly to accept a bit.
 
Ummm, Myler is a make, like Sprenger. there are many many different types of Myler bit. Why did you try a cherry roller? this is quite a strong bit.
a mullen (straight bar) happy mouth is a very mild bit, if it's not enough you probably need a jointed bit.
i really rate Sprenger bits with lozenge in the middle, many horses go v nicely in these.
Or, for initial backing work and for horses which are very sensitive in the mouth, i use the Hippus bits, they are very kind and perfectly even on each side of the mouthpiece, unlike most single-joint bits.
 
kerilli said:
Ummm, Myler is a make, like Sprenger. there are many many different types of Myler bit. Why did you try a cherry roller? this is quite a strong bit.
a mullen (straight bar) happy mouth is a very mild bit, if it's not enough you probably need a jointed bit.
i really rate Sprenger bits with lozenge in the middle, many horses go v nicely in these.
Or, for initial backing work and for horses which are very sensitive in the mouth, i use the Hippus bits, they are very kind and perfectly even on each side of the mouthpiece, unlike most single-joint bits.
Click to expand...

I was thinking for a basic Myler Bit - I can't recall the name right now. One of the basic ones, Level 1?

I tried the cherry roller just to see - to get an idea. She seemed to like the different metals in it.

I have never heard of Hippus bits - but did a quick search and they look very interesting!

I am thinking of trying this: http://www.holmesteadsaddlery.com/product.php?id=1905&catid=83&currency=euro

I also have a lesson (excited) tonight and maybe he can help!
 
The one you link to looks nice (I hate single joints, so it is french link all the way for me) - though bear in mind that they can be a little big in the mouth if your mare has a larger tongue. Also some horses don't get on quite as well with a loose ring because of the movement - some like something a little more steady so they have the confidence to take up the contact. Why don't you try calling a bit bank - The saddlery shop and Neue Schule I have always found to offer good advice - without pressure to buy too. If you have had to buy all the bits you have tried it must be costing you a fortune! One I find as a really good starting point is a french link eggbutt. This one has a really nicely shaped link http://www.derbyhouse.co.uk/Equestr...rsteel+Oval+Link+Eggbutt+Snaffle_314-0568.htm What was it you found wasn't quite 100% in the hanging cheek? Might make it easier to suggest an alternative?
 
poppymoo said:
I have a NS Verbinend on my just-turned 6 year old....its the ONLY bit he has accepted. Plenty of room for his tongue, double-jointed with a lozenge. They do a bit-bank...why not try renting one to see if it works?
Click to expand...

I love love love that bit and would be my suggestion too :D

Otherwise I suggest a three ring gag with one rein on the bottom ring or a pelham - again with only a curb rein :D (Big fat joke btw!)
 
The one you are thinking about, happy mouth loose ring with losenge is a lovely bit. Have you looked at bit bank as they let you try before you buy. what nose band do you ride her in and do you have her in a martingale etc. you might be able to change nose band and keep bit she likes as if she is accepting it then i would, personally, keep it in for a least a few months to get her to really understand about accepting the bit before you change.
 
I am not a fan of straight bar bits as when you bend the horse the whole bit moves and pushes on the opposite side of the mouth. I also think they give a very numb "feel" - but obviously if your horse goes well in it there is no reason to change (apart from the fact that it isn't dressage legal, if that matters).

TBs often don't have loads of space in the mouth so a thin bit like the Myler Comfort loose ring snaffle could be very good - the two horses I ride at the moment both go very well in this bit. And also agree with the NS Verbindend - very good bit that a lot of horses seem to like.

Unfortunately both Myler and Neue Schule bits are expensive so probably worth trying from a bit bank first.
 
SirenaXVI said:
I love love love that bit and would be my suggestion too :D

Otherwise I suggest a three ring gag with one rein on the bottom ring or a pelham - again with only a curb rein :D (Big fat joke btw!)
Click to expand...


Obviously that would have been my next suggestion...either that or an upside down-pelham (I have seen this! Honest!):D

I love the NSV ...I bought one for my other horse too.....didn't want him to be left out :D Even my dad (old-school horse bloke) was impressed with it...less so the price:eek:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top