Bits.....

[Swan]

I've started a share on a 16 yr old ex polo/hunter horse that is currently being ridden in a stainless steel french link dutch gag. He's very mouthy and chomps and pulls on the bit constantly and I wonder if its because the bit isn't right for him, he's quite skittish so I thought it might be tension but he does it constantly and on the lunge so I'd like to swap him to something more suitable for flat work and keep the gag for jumping and fast work but I'm lost! Hes a ISH with a small mouth but gets strong and can be quite wilful....he has a high head carriage in canter or when excited so I need some breaks. I was looking at a thin (12/14mm) sweet iron wilkie or hanging cheek with a lozenge or French link because of his small mouth I thought a link would be better than a joint and the sweet iron will help with the acceptance of the bit but with so many choices I'm at a loss! Any thoughts?

 

[doodle]

If he is a share horse I don’t think you should be changing bits without speaking to the owner first.

 

[Swan]

I'm going to see what the suggestions are and then of course speak to the owner. But thanks for your concern.

 

[mini_b]

Honestly speak to your owner and see if they have any concerns and see if this behaviour manifests when others ride him.

if they say “oh yeah, now you’ve mentioned it, you’re right...”

then I would suggest something without a link, removing tongue pressure and something clanking off the palate.
I have said so many times but I massively rate bomber bits, I had similar issues with my own horse and then lent one to someone with a baby ISH that wasn’t happy at all.

If he’s ridden in a snaffle normally, he may relax with a better suited mouth piece. the happy tongue full cheek snaffle is great - if you find you need more brakes (after working on schooling) try a different noseband (grackle, not tight flash etc) first before bitting up.

mine Is also an ex hunter and can be a bit headless in open spaces and I’ve found i have some semblance of ride ability in a bomber Pelham and a grackle noseband.

alternatively - contact the bit bank. You can trial before you commit to buying as they can be expensive if they don’t work out to be right.

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

The person that is going to know the most about the horses education, mouth conformation and likes/dislikes is (I’m assuming) the owner. They’d be the first person I’d go to.

If they don’t have any ideas then I’d go to a bit fitter and pay for a session with them as long as owner gives the go ahead. They look at the horses way of going, talk to you about the horses schooling and your aims and the horses mouth conformation.

Also as an aside, don’t discount a single joint. They take up far less space in a fleshy small mouth than a lozenge (i say this as an owner of a very fleshy mouthed native with no space!).

I’d also make sure teeth and saddle checks are up to date.