Bitting advice please. Young pony

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SamanthaG

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Advice/suggestions please.

My boy is currently in a happy mouth loose ring lozenge.
We moved to this bit from a happy mouth straight bar eggbutt as he was rolling it over( upside down) and putting his tongue over it. He likes to fiddle.

He seems to like his current bit and is now ready to be sat on and take things further so I was advised to get the full cheek version of his current bit to aid steering.

But I would like to move away from the happy mouth as it goes rough quickly. Don't get me wrong his isnt sharp but its lightly rough. I would also like a better shaped bit ie more curved.

Hes in a 5" but does have a small chin if it makes a difference.

He likes a lozenge ie a roller in his mouth to play with.

I don't want to upset him with a change but feel its needed.

Any advice greatly received
 
If he is happy I would stick with the one you are using, work on the steering before backing and you should not require the cheeks to assist, having a fixed feeling may mean you lose the softness from the loose ring.
I have started many and rarely use a full cheek, if I have it is usually because the mouth piece suits rather than from any benefit from the cheeks although there will be some it helps.
 
be positive said:
If he is happy I would stick with the one you are using, work on the steering before backing and you should not require the cheeks to assist, having a fixed feeling may mean you lose the softness from the loose ring.
I have started many and rarely use a full cheek, if I have it is usually because the mouth piece suits rather than from any benefit from the cheeks although there will be some it helps.
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Thanks. Hes a good boy on the lunge and long reining. Hes light and responds quickly. Hes done over a year of flat work due to being hard to fit a saddle too, and isn't the type to be rush, hes a very young 5 year old. And the type who soon tells you when something isn't correct. I guess just after reading about the shape bits. I just didn't feel his bit was that great.
 
I missed the bit about wanting to change anyway, I would look at a metal bit, ideally a sweet iron or one with copper in the middle, as he may continue to chew on the happy mouth which can become sharp. There are bits with curves in the sides to accommodate the shape of the mouth, be careful about the centre link not being too wide as in a small mouth the join can end up against the edge of the tongue or on the lips or bars.
 
be positive said:
I missed the bit about wanting to change anyway, I would look at a metal bit, ideally a sweet iron or one with copper in the middle, as he may continue to chew on the happy mouth which can become sharp. There are bits with curves in the sides to accommodate the shape of the mouth, be careful about the centre link not being too wide as in a small mouth the join can end up against the edge of the tongue or on the lips or bars.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Yes I think copper or sweet iron would be nice for him. I looked at neue schule but they don't do a roller type lozenge
 
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