Biting my youngster

checkmate1

checkmate1

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Am after some opinions please, I backed Indie about 8 weeks ago now, in a full cheek french link which I thought she was happy in (nice wet mouth etc..) When saddle fitter came to check saddle the other day he said "shes not at all happy in her mouth is she" as she plays and bobs her head around all the time in trot (hacking and schooling), I hadnt really given it much notice, thinking it would go with time and schooling, however am anxious now incase it becomes too much of a habit, So have tried fulmer loops (she didnt like), comfort myler (liked hacking not schooling), am going to try simple eggbutt snaffle tomorrow and am also going to try a straight bar , am also going to get EDT to check teeth (wolf teeth out at xmas) and my backperson (just incase! I have a funny feeling she may be abit sore on the laft anyway). I have very light/quiet hands and worry they are almost too much as sometimes I 'give' her her mouth in stead of asking her to work into the contact. Any thoughts? Do youngsters just take a long time to settle in their mouths?
 
My baby behaved very similar to what you're describing much more settled 6 months into proper regular ridden work. She is in a neue schuele (sp?) starter bit. In the beginning I also let her stand in loosish side reins for 5 - 10 mins before riding so she got accustomed to the feel of a contact without the additional complication of me, balancing herself etc.
 
I hope you didn't hurt him!!! He, he.
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Sorry, I couldn't resist it.



" B I T T I N G " not "BITING"
 
French links are actually quite strong snaffles as far as snaffles go. Personally I would get a neul sheule (NS) training snaffle (the one with a lozenge in teh middle) (the one for breaking and initial training, phone her if necessary) and then if she still isn't happy then get her checked, (or if she hasn't been recently get her checked over anyway).

Hope this helps.
 
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French links are actually quite strong snaffles as far as snaffles go.

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you`ve confused me!
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[ QUOTE ]
French links are actually quite strong snaffles as far as snaffles go.


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you`ve confused me!

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Me too!!!!
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I cant see there is a lot of difference really. Dr Bristol yes but French link???
 
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French links are actually quite strong snaffles as far as snaffles go.


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you`ve confused me!

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Me too!!!!
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I cant see there is a lot of difference really. Dr Bristol yes but French link???

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can I join the confused clique??? or will someone re-educate me and explain why a FL is harsh???
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Yes, I am equally confused? I thought french links were milder as pressure is evenly distributed accross the mouth, unlike a plain eggbutt snaffle with single joint which has a nutcracker action? Also, are neul sheule snaffles similar to KKs? (as have tried one of those aswell)? Will google neul sheule now...
 
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Yes, I am equally confused? I thought french links were milder as pressure is evenly distributed accross the mouth, unlike a plain eggbutt snaffle with single joint which has a nutcracker action? Also, are neul sheule snaffles similar to KKs? (as have tried one of those aswell)? Will google neul sheule now...

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You are correct
 
You don't say how old your youngster is - and whether she may still be teething (which could explain the excessive mouthing too).
French links are kind, mild bits, and many horses go very happily in them...they are not at all harsh.
If I were you, I'd try a straight bar...like a nylon bradoon (bridoon) for a week or two to see if that encourages her to be quiet in her mouth. Maybe an eggbutt FL would suit her more than a full cheek, although it shouldn't really make a lot of difference.
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Sorry, yes she is 4 yrs old, Apart from the mouthing and playing she goes So well in the french link compared to anything ive tried, but will try a simple straight bar brandoon and see what happens-am having her teeth checked just to make sure (if the EDT ever rings me back!!) Thanks...
 
perhaps you are confusing it with a dr bristol?they look very similar the the dr b has the link at a different angle from the fl and is more severe.

must add--- any bit is severe if used wrong.
 
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Sorry, yes she is 4 yrs old, Apart from the mouthing and playing she goes So well in the french link compared to anything ive tried, but will try a simple straight bar brandoon and see what happens-am having her teeth checked just to make sure (if the EDT ever rings me back!!) Thanks...

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Maybe she's just teething with her last incisors then...I know my rising 4yo is teething at the moment, and has a few sharp bits giving her mouth ulcers (and there's nothing I can do except wait
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You should go with your instincts rather than listen to odd comments from a saddler. Try other mild bits - but your snaffle should be fine, anyway.
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