Bits

[MummyEms]

Please recommend me some bits you have loved.
Fussy sensitive thoroughbred is the equine in question. She goes quite nicely in her hackamore.

 

[mini_b]

Could you further describe the fussiness/what the problem is?
Also what is your bridle set up

 

[Sleipnir]

Also what kind of bits have you tried and with what results?

 

[MummyEms]

So sometimes I use the micklem on the mildest bitless option. This is OK most of the time but not with brakes for cantering and jumping.
Her hackamore is the D'yon hackamore bridle which she does go very well in, excellent brakes etc. But I would like to try some dressage now.
She came with a little French link. She just felt heavy and strong and would pull against you. In the hackamore there isn't any of that.
The pro bit fitter came out ages ago when she was new and suggested a ported mouth piece and measured her up properly, she's only a 4.5 inch!! She is 16.1 haha. She has a 'short smile if that's any help.
I would like her to start working more uphill as we've worked hard on long and low for months now and she's mastered that and built up her topline nicely with it. Xx

 

[Sleipnir]

Hmm, what type/breed of horse is she? Could she possibly have a fat tongue and a low palate?
Many horses are very responsive to hackamores as they in fact put a lot of pressure on their sensitive noses, however, they really don't suit well whenever you need to use lateral pressure in the reins, as in Dressage.

 

[MummyEms]

She's a French thoroughbred.
Yes exactly. She cannot do dressage in the hackamore that's for sure.

 

[mini_b]

If you have been recommended a slightly ported bit I love bomber happy tongue bits.

Mine came in a Dutch gag with a french link in, had some semblance of brakes but he was very very unhappy. Swapped out to a bomber happy tongue eggbutt and a micklem, with lots of hairy schooling working on more subtle braking aids I can canter out hacking and jump in it.
I do have a heavy, strong leaner too but its coming right now with proper work and he’s stronger so more able to work from behind.

For very exciting things I use the same mouthpiece but a Pelham and grackle. He either chucks his head up or leans (wonderful!) but prefers the action of a pelham rather than a gag to lift. I can get his head up by booting him on.

Persevere with going back to basics (if safety permits) because the leaning/strong-ness can often just be weakness. I was constantly getting tanked off with but he was struggling to hold himself up.

I had tons of help over the phone from the bit-bank which meant I could try lots and return/swap things.

 

[MummyEms]

I was just looking at the bomber happy tongue ported bits. I really like the look of that for he her. Thank you ever so much, I shall give it a try.

 

[Roxylola]

Seconding the happy tongue

 

[mini_b]

I was just looking at the bomber happy tongue ported bits. I really like the look of that for he her. Thank you ever so much, I shall give it a try.

I tried the NS verbindend et al previously to that and he hated them. He fights the contact immediately he won’t put up something he doesn’t like.

bomber was a game changer, it meant its dressage legal and I have the option of slightly stronger but with the same mouth piece if I need some extra help with the brakes.

Good luck -
Do let us know how you get on!

 

[ycbm]

If you have been recommended a slightly ported bit I love bomber happy tongue bits.

Second this. Transformational on my fussy mouthed horse.
.

 

[MummyEms]

I've ordered her a happy tongue ?

 

[mini_b]

I've ordered her a happy tongue ?

Hope it does the trick! It seems to work for fussy horses, they still will be able to lean on it if they want to so once your horse is happier in the mouth you can start to address that!

 

[MummyEms]

I will let you know.
Fingers crossed. She hasn't had a bit in for nearly a year!

 

[Fluffypiglet]

Mines a fussy fanny with bits and has a 'sheep' mouth. We gave up on metal bits and he's in a Winderen gel bit. Game changer. And no matter how much he chomps it, it doesn't get rough like a nathe.

 

[Noble]

If the happy tongue doesn't work (it didn't for my fussy one) try the Bombers ultra comfy lock up bit. A few fussy horses I have had have transformed in this bit.

 

[MummyEms]

So I've ridden her twice it it. Good as gold.
a little bit more lively than in the hackamore but brakes are great and working correctly when asked ? thanks so much xx

 

[mini_b]

So I've ridden her twice it it. Good as gold.
a little bit more lively than in the hackamore but brakes are great and working correctly when asked ? thanks so much xx

Thanks for update!