Bitting a youngster - some advice please!

[ladyt25]

I bought a 15mth old last summer (he'll be 2 in May) and, to get him out and about and to gain a bit of life experience, I am looking at doing some (very) low level in hand showing this summer. I have bought (or been bought) an in hand bridle with a curved nylon mouthpiece bit (I think that's what it is!). He is ok having it put in - only done this 3 or so times so far - but is obviously finding it odd and is still chomping a lot and generally not over impressed. I assume this is normal, however, i am just wondering whether this is the best type of bit to start with to get him used to?

What bits do people use? Would I be better with some jointed, happy mouth type instead soit moves in his mouth more or is it just a case of him getting used to it? So far I have not lead him from the bridle/bit, i am just putting it on over a headcollar and leading him about to get him used to the sensation. He is being pretty good really but I was just wondering if there was anything else I could do to make things nicer for him?

Any advice appreciated! Thanks.

 

[Shysmum]

I would stick with what you're using if it's going ok. You can put honey on the bit, to help. When I was bitting Shy, the myriad of confusion was just a nightmare - a mullen mouth rubber was too big for his mouth, he hated normal snaffle bits, but liked a copper roller , so we used this for a while, then a hanging cheek, I didn't like that..........Then a Happy Mouth, BUT he chewed right thru this in about a month - will never use them again.

Then he went to have his teeth done (every 6 months), and the vet showed me how much teething he was going thru.....and his tushes and outers are still to come. So I have gone for a rubber snaffle, and he loves it He has a very soft moth anyway, and is going really well in this.

I think the upshot is to go as mild as you can, bearing in mind that you must fit the size of the mouth, and get the right material. I have no problems if the rubber snaffle helps Shy while teething, it is bearing up very well so far.

God that sounds confusing !!!

 

[ladyt25]

Thanks! Yeah, i am wondering whether to try something that he can play with a bit. The nylon one I am using (well, it looks like rubber/vulcanite - I do not know what the difference is in feel for them!) is fairly thin but I think it fits his mouth ok but is just curved it has no joints/rollers in or anything. I may see what the dentist says when he comes (that'll be his first dentist visit i think!). I just want to be sure I am not putting him off really!

 

[Shysmum]

that's a good plan - see what the dentist suggests, but I think you're deffo on the right track now. I know a lot of people swear by the HM bits, with lozenges and stuff like that, but when I saw how quickly Shy chewed his ( and how sharp it was where it had been chewed), I was mortified

A good rubber bit that allows a bit of chewing will be fine. I'm bound to be told off for saying that, but honestly, the chewing was FAR worse in a metal bit, he just was in pain.

 

[NeverSayNever]

ive never bitted a youngster before but i have just had to bit my Sec A as he was being a pain in the a&& to lead. I expected a big hoo ha but it was easy as anything.. popped in a little mullen mouth rubber snaffle a few times and left him to wear it for 10 mins while he was groomed etc. started leading about wearing it but leading off the noseband until he went up and over and i let him go From then on he was led with a coupling and we havent looked back...