bit suggestions

J

Jesstickle

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I currently ride the brown horse in a bog standard loose ring french link.

He's been checked and is fine but I do struggle to get him to accept a contact. He is a lazy goat and isn't always as in front of my leg as I would like which we're working on, however, even when I can really push him along he is quite resistant to taking up a consistent contact. Basically he likes to fight with me over the matter. First we get upside down giraffe, then from that we'll switch to over bent and then we try and pull the reins through rider's hands. Eventually he'll settle and I can get some nice work from him.

I just wondered if anyone had any suggestions for bits which he might fight with less. I think really it's just him and his attitude (he does like to have a good argument about things before giving up and behaving) but as I've just had a bit of a pay rise and it was his birthday last week (yes, totally anthropomorphic I know!) I wouldn't entirely begrudge him something if it helped!
 
I am having the same difficulties with my gelding at the moment. I bought a Hippus eggbutt bit that was designed by an Equine dentist. It has a different gentle joint than a normal snaffle. I've only ridden him so far a couple of times in it and still struggling with him accepting the contact but the chomping on the bit has almost completely stopped and he is listening more. It isn't a severe bit obviously. The bit can be bought from their website as it is in Switzerland but I'm sure its available from a UK stockist. I bought mine for € 139 in Ireland. I can keep you posted with my progress if you like but it was recommended to me by a local yard that use it on all their horses young to old.
 
I'd take a good look inside his mouth at his conformation and go from there. He might prefer a port if he has a thick tongue for example.

The people at Neue Shule are very helpful, I'd phone around and ask advice from manufacturers. Perhaps a Myler would suit him? The Bit Bank offer a 30 day trial, which might be good if you want to play around.

Well done you re pay rise! :D

J&C
 
In terms of mouth confo it isn't pretty. He's parrot mouthed, fleshy tongued and has a wolf tooth (which is staying in as the vet says she'd have to GA him to take it out and he seems more or less happy with it there).

I'm a bit of a dinosaur about 'new' bits ie NS, myler etc. Everything I've ever had has been in a loose ring french link or a loose ring lozenge.
 
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