Bitting advice for Ozzy

Nancykitt

Nancykitt

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We've been taking Ozzy out for walks in hand and he has been great. On Thursday we put his saddle on and he just accepted it, no problem - a big contrast to his extreme reaction a few weeks ago!

I think I've mentioned that he is also quite reluctant to have his bridle on, so I can't help thinking about bit choice. We haven't tried him with a bridle for a few weeks so I thought I'd ask for your advice.

I noticed from previous photographs of Ozzy that he was ridden in an eggbutt snaffle. One of my friends strongly recommended the NS Turtle Top Eggbutt so I bought one from Ebay. I've only recently found out that it was actually a Tactio Turtle. It seemed quite big for his mouth and although he didn't show any obvious signs of being very unhappy, I couldn't help wondering if it contributed to our various issues.

I've found the NS trans angled lozenge to be really good for all the horses so far, so I tried Ozzy in AJ's trans angled Baucher. I can't say it made things any better. Once the bridle is on he's OK with the bit, but there is obviously something going on.

I just want to make sure I've got a nice, comfortable bit for him, suitable for a horse at his stage of development (ie, very green!)

All suggestions gratefully received!
 
Nancykitt said:
We've been taking Ozzy out for walks in hand and he has been great. On Thursday we put his saddle on and he just accepted it, no problem - a big contrast to his extreme reaction a few weeks ago!

I think I've mentioned that he is also quite reluctant to have his bridle on, so I can't help thinking about bit choice. We haven't tried him with a bridle for a few weeks so I thought I'd ask for your advice.

I noticed from previous photographs of Ozzy that he was ridden in an eggbutt snaffle. One of my friends strongly recommended the NS Turtle Top Eggbutt so I bought one from Ebay. I've only recently found out that it was actually a Tactio Turtle. It seemed quite big for his mouth and although he didn't show any obvious signs of being very unhappy, I couldn't help wondering if it contributed to our various issues.

I've found the NS trans angled lozenge to be really good for all the horses so far, so I tried Ozzy in AJ's trans angled Baucher. I can't say it made things any better. Once the bridle is on he's OK with the bit, but there is obviously something going on.

I just want to make sure I've got a nice, comfortable bit for him, suitable for a horse at his stage of development (ie, very green!)

All suggestions gratefully received!
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Is your concern that he doesn’t want to accept the bit, or is it the bridle around his head, more generally?
Might be worth taking some photos showing how long his mouth is, how fleshy his lips, how low the roof of his mouth, etc; then briefly report how he responds riding: head towards the ground, up into the air, cross his jaw, lurks overbent - whatever is your issue.
As a general rule, cobs tend to thicker throats with less room in their mouths. No end of them have lampas, not a problem, but even less room. A broader, Mullen or forward curve, mouth is more gentle - but might leave you with little control, hence many cobs fitted with short cheek Pelham / kimblewick / similar, for some leverage. A plain jointed snaffle typically nutcrackers into roof of a cob mouth. Assuming his mouth and tooth health is good, bit comfort has a lot to do with who is holding the reins. Remember, your particular cob already has form, re biddability and compliance!
 
He had a dental in August, no apparent issues.

Perhaps I'm overthinking things. OH's default a light contact and so far Ozzy hasn't done a single thing that would have warranted a more firm approach (eg, no tanking off, major steering difficulties, etc). When ridden, he seems fairly quiet in the mouth. I just think the NS Eggbutt seemed like quite a thick mouthpiece (but I am just no expert on this and don't know much about the 'Turtle' bit at all!)
The NS trans lozenge I tried him in is considerably narrower (ie, thinner) than the eggbutt I bought by mistake. I've used the NS Team Up with one of the ponies in the past, it was nice (and had quite a forward curve) but I think it only comes in a loose ring... Having said that, he might prefer a loose ring? I suppose there's only one way to find out.
AJ and Snoopy don't like loose rings for general stuff...they were both hunted in a NS Universal (trans lozenge), but most of the time they prefer to have a mouthpiece that is fixed.
 
Mine isn't a cob, but a bit fitter put her in the NS tactio turtle top eggbutt. After a while she didn't want to open her mouth when bridling. I swapped her to a hanging cheek Myler with a ported barrel. She goes well in it and we dont have any problems putting her bridle on now.
 
Definitely worth trying a Mullen/straight bar mouthpiece and different cheekpieces. Some horses will prefer a single jointed mouthpiece as well- while it sounds like his anatomy would make that unlikely there's no harm in trying if you have one kicking about.
He may have previously been in an eggbut snaffle as that is what worked well, but it might just have easily been because that was what they had on hand!
 
NS do an online bitting consultation which is quite helpful and free. It gets you thinking about your horse's specific characteristics and the answers are looked at by an actual person who emails you with recommendations and an explanation of why they made the suggestions. There's no pressure to buy. My fussy in the mouth horse liked the NS turtle top which was recommended by them.

Another horse I have has a massive tongue and very little space in the mouth he's a wb but head and mouth are very cob like, he's in a myler loose ring.

Also, could it possibly be that he is sensitive around his ears and the bridling issues are not to do with the bit at all?
 
I wondered if it was the bridle in general, but he seems very happy to have his (leather) control head collar pulled over his ears. Infact he will stand with his head over the fence waiting for us to put it on!
I don’t have any other bits lying around. He has quite a small neat mouth but a decent sized tongue - I may try the NS consultation, thanks for this.
SpeedyPony said:
He may have previously been in an eggbut snaffle as that is what worked well, but it might just have easily been because that was what they had on hand!
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That’s a very good point!
Finn preferred a loose ring so I’m now wondering if Ozzy may prefer one too. Perhaps a bit bank might be an idea?
 
It might be worth speaking to one of the bit banks for advice on what might suit his mouth shape best although even then they all have their preferences. (If you did go with a loose ring it may be worth considering some bit guards if he has fleshy lips… I found I needed them on my Welsh D as he was prone to rubs, usually when he was being strong but not on the Highland)

The Highland didn’t like jointed bits at all even if they had a losenge or link in them. He also didn’t have a lot of room in there despite his rather large head and hated the rubber straight bar I tried to mouth him in.

I got a bit fitter out to try some things in person & he ended up in a Stubben fine line Mullen mouth straight bar initially (which isn’t something I’d ever have thought of on my own) and the difference between the ones he did & didn’t like was very obvious.

Eventually ended up in a turtle top Barsmart further down the line after I was convinced to try it for better control of his shoulders & better acceptance of a contact. Was surprised he liked it as mouthpiece was thicker and shaped differently to the Stubben.

Not suggesting either of these would be an appropriate option for Ozzy or that he would even like them just that there are a range of other options and mouthpieces out there is he doesn’t seem to get on with a conventional snaffle with a link in (& that sometimes speaking to someone like a bit fitter can make you try things you may not otherwise have known about or considered)
 
My go to is a metal mullen mouthpiece. For one rein it is a hanging cheek or a pelham for two reins.

I wonder if a military bridle might suit him? A good strong headcollar with and a slip head for the bit.
 
What does he do to show his reluctance when bridling?

If he’s not showing any obvious bitting dislikes then it’s possibly not that, and for the moment I’d save your money.

Would it be worth breaking down the bridling process to see if there is a particular step he is objecting to? Sometimes undoing a cheek and slipping bit in from the side can help.

If anything is likely to be uncomfy/pinching then odds are it’s the size of browband
 
Bit bank is a good idea, also if you're just playing around with basic bits (rather than the posh types!) you can usually pick them up for a couple of quid at carboot sales/FB marketplace.
 
ihatework said:
What does he do to show his reluctance when bridling?

If he’s not showing any obvious bitting dislikes then it’s possibly not that, and for the moment I’d save your money.

Would it be worth breaking down the bridling process to see if there is a particular step he is objecting to? Sometimes undoing a cheek and slipping bit in from the side can help.

If anything is likely to be uncomfy/pinching then odds are it’s the size of browband
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He moves his head away and then puts his head up high. He has also been known to swing his back end round when he sees us approach with the bridle; having said that, this was around the same time that he was showing a fairly extreme reaction to being saddled, so it could just be that he was injured (hence the bucking incident!)
I will have to buy another bit anyway as he has AJ’s bit at the moment. I just want something comfortable for him.

Does anyone know about the Turtle Tactio? What sort of horse is likely to suit such a bit? It’s quite a strange shape- doesn’t look harsh but the mouthpiece is pretty chunky.
 
Nancykitt said:
I wondered if it was the bridle in general, but he seems very happy to have his (leather) control head collar pulled over his ears. Infact he will stand with his head over the fence waiting for us to put it on!
I don’t have any other bits lying around. He has quite a small neat mouth but a decent sized tongue - I may try the NS consultation, thanks for this.


That’s a very good point!
Finn preferred a loose ring so I’m now wondering if Ozzy may prefer one too. Perhaps a bit bank might be an idea?
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If you are concerned that iti s the bridle not the bit then remove the bit and puy the bridle on for a few days in a row with no bit - if he's better then it's likley the bit, if he's not the put the bit in his mouth with no bridle and see how he behaves? if he's better its the bridle.
 
I have a fussy mouthed NF. She was reluctant to open her mouth until I found this bit, similar to a myler without the price tag but I've used it on others since and they all seem to like it.Screenshot_20251101_190037_eBay.jpg
 
I would look very carefully at the bridle, does he have enough room for his ears? I've had to buy a separate browband for more than one horse because the one that came with the bridle was too short.

I am always conscious of it because when my 4 yr old TBxWelshD grew she needed a new broadband hers irritated her when she was tired. I've even had to have an enormous browband custom-made.
I've also found that large tongued, short mouthed horses do well in mullen-mouthed bits. I've used a PeeWee bit successfully on a couple of horses and a NS Universal on another but you might not want to use the 2 reins that needs.
 
Just a heads up that not all horses have read up on modern enlightened bit fittings 🙃.

I have a bucket full of £££££s variously anatomically shaped NS bits with and without lozenges. The IDx rejected them all and loves her traditional fulmer single jointed snaffle with cheeks as long as it is fitted without bit loops.
 
Are you certain the bridle is a good fit? Headpiece is not in contact with the back of his ears, and browband is big enough to allow room? I also pop a finger under the headpiece to check its not tight/ pulling down. Some bridles just don't fit some horses' head shapes, and it sounds as if Ozzy is a sensitive boy.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I would look very carefully at the bridle, does he have enough room for his ears? I've had to buy a separate browband for more than one horse because the one that came with the bridle was too short.

I am always conscious of it because when my 4 yr old TBxWelshD grew she needed a new broadband hers irritated her when she was tired. I've even had to have an enormous browband custom-made.
I've also found that large tongued, short mouthed horses do well in mullen-mouthed bits. I've used a PeeWee bit successfully on a couple of horses and a NS Universal on another but you might not want to use the 2 reins that needs.
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I have ditched browbands altogether and the bridles stay put just as well as with them
 
The bridle seems to fit pretty well - his objection is all about opening his mouth to take the bit. Once the bit is in, he’s just fine and keeps still while we do up the nose and & throat lash.

It’s quite possible that something has happened that has made him resistant- eg, the bit hitting his teeth or pressing on his lips when he’s had his mouth closed. We are careful to avoid anything like this, but when he’s moving his head around so much things can be tricky! When ridden, there’s no indication that he’s really unhappy with the bit but I do need to buy another one as I’ve currently got one bit between two horses, meaning that they can’t go out together! I will try and re-sell the Turtle Tactio as I don’t think it’s any good for either Ozzy or AJ. If the bit actually was a turtle top, as described in the advert, it may have been OK, but they are very expensive, even second hand, so I’m not going to buy another.
I just want Ozzy to be comfortable with his bit; it will be interesting to see how he is with the Myler type.
Sometimes I just fuss too much!
I suppose I’ve been like this for the past 22 years, always looking at stuff & wondering if the horse will prefer it to the current setup! Fortunately for my bank balance I’m often able to resist!
 
I ride em all in a Fulmer snaffle but with the loops for stability.

Your OH is right about the light contact, good man, but this needs stability of the hands and relaxed arms, steady following contact, which need a poised seat, and letting the horse seek the contact is the aim, when you succeed, ultimately you can rein back without pulling back on the reins just using mainly your seat.

I would try, taking off the browband altogether, pull the headpiece behind the ears slightly back from the ears and make sure it's not tight over the top of the poll.

Try the bit at different height levels, I prefer not to wrinkle the lips much

I use a fairly loose noseband and at a height where it is not pressing the back teeth

Dip the bit in warm water

Do some carrot or swede strips stretching, to moisten the mouth, on a headcollar but always feed a handfull of hay after to take taste away as the sugers can make them a bit cribby or mouthy on the bit when put on after

You could try gently rubbing his cheeks where his back teeth are fir any soreness

Agree with Ihatework about trying the obvious before spending money
 
I’m another one who without knowing anything in any great particular knowledge would possibly say to try and keep it very simple and perhaps try a single jointed bit or just trying one with a very small lozenge. I know an old horseman who when somebody’s having a problem will go to his box of bits and bring out some ancient snaffle and the horse seem much happier in it.
I’ve been there and spent a fortune and had a bitting consulting out then defaulted back to my original simple lozenged bit.
 
tristars said:
I ride em all in a Fulmer snaffle but with the loops for stability.

Your OH is right about the light contact, good man, but this needs stability of the hands and relaxed arms, steady following contact, which need a poised seat, and letting the horse seek the contact is the aim, when you succeed, ultimately you can rein back without pulling back on the reins just using mainly your seat.

I would try, taking off the browband altogether, pull the headpiece behind the ears slightly back from the ears and make sure it's not tight over the top of the poll.

Try the bit at different height levels, I prefer not to wrinkle the lips much

I use a fairly loose noseband and at a height where it is not pressing the back teeth

Dip the bit in warm water

Do some carrot or swede strips stretching, to moisten the mouth, on a headcollar but always feed a handfull of hay after to take taste away as the sugers can make them a bit cribby or mouthy on the bit when put on after

You could try gently rubbing his cheeks where his back teeth are fir any soreness

Agree with Ihatework about trying the obvious before spending money
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Not the fulmers for any of ours, but definitely ditch browband and noseband unless you have a very specific purpose for them? You are trying to eliminate any aspect of the bridle Ozzy might have an issue with, so pare things right back before concluding: the bit.
I’d be far more suspicious the little blighter sees the approaching bridle as potential limitation of his freedom and grazing time, personally.
 
I used to love a JP french link snaffle. Do they still exist? Thin and shaped and everything (mainly) seemed happy in them.
I never thought I’d say this but I agree with @Exasperated that you are just ruining his day when you turn up with the bridle.
 
Exasperated said:
Not the fulmers for any of ours, but definitely ditch browband and noseband unless you have a very specific purpose for them? You are trying to eliminate any aspect of the bridle Ozzy might have an issue with, so pare things right back before concluding: the bit.
I’d be far more suspicious the little blighter sees the approaching bridle as potential limitation of his freedom and grazing time, personally.
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Oh my first thought was cob ways,
dominance no less, playtime, stretching the boundaries

This is where i use my secret weapon polos, when habituated, If they are suspected of trying it on moments, I say polos! Et voila success



Mind you our cobby thing was so crocodile like and generally bitey I had doubts about hand feeding, yet he has got over all that nicely

Good idea to take off bridle parts just to see
 
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