Bitting advice for head-shaking & teeth grinder!

[Embo]

Hi all,

Advice as above, really! Tom is a head-shaker and grinds his teeth. He has had his back checked recently and new saddle was fitted in April. He had his teeth done in August, and had some sharp edges, but all sorted out. Dentist was was up last night attending other horses and he asked if things had improved, which the head-shaking has but is still present (I think it's mainly allergies as was much, much worse when summer was in full swing. It has eased especially with the weather change). And he also still grinds his teeth occasionally when excited or stressed - it's not that often that it's actually a problem, it really is just on the odd occasion. He has also got his tongue over the bit a couple of times since I've had him.

Dentist suggested using a bit with a thinner mouthpiece. I currently use a loose-ring French link snaffle.

I'm willing to try something new if it will make him more comfortable, but there are so many on the market, I really don't know where to start! Any advice appreciated from the bit-savvy members. Thanks in advance!

 

[justabob]

My horse is a teeth grinder and head shaker with the wrong bit, I got to the stage where I was riding in a head collar. Being an ex race horse that raced until he was 12 yrs old I did not feel that safe.............until I discovered the PeeWee bit. Very thin sweet iron mullen mouth. He is happy in this bit, he was raced in a happy mouth but because of his grinding he made the bit very sharp.