Bitting advice please

Holly Hocks

Holly Hocks

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Hi everyone.

I have a 9 year old TB mare who had very invasive tooth and sinus surgery last year, but is now back in work. She got ill only a few weeks after I got her directly from racing and spent several months in hospital, so I need some help to find her the right bit. Up to now I've tried a loose ring french link - she really hated that! A loose ring single link - not great and a JP curved mouth piece single link - not much change.

She is a confirmed headshaker. She has had two physios, a multitude of vets, a vet and an EDT look at her teeth and recently a CT scan on her head! Oh, and three saddlers check her saddle. So I think it's just the bit that needs sorting out!

The scenario is that whilst working in, she does take the rein forwards and down, but increasingly gets lower and lower and then tucks in way too low, behind the bridle, before throwing her head up and the whole thing starts again. She is extremely sensitive and is like a ticking time bomb to ride, so I tend to keep her as steady as possible. Any hand or leg movement on my part is met with objection.

I've been looking at the neue schule range, and I've just bought a happy mouth from ebay as I think the metal could be an issue for her. Any ideas on any others that might be suitable? Many Thanks.
 
Have you ever considered bitless? Ive recently helped reschool an ex racer and he goes very well bitless. It might be worth trying to see if it makes a difference. I guess if you want to do dressage or showing you need to find a bit suitable, perhaps a very still bit like a mullen mouth or something similar.
 
she clearly doesnt like movement in the bit, if it were me I would try her bitless first as I don't like eggbutts or any other fixed-cheek bits. If she doesn't take too kindly to this try her in an eggbutt, probably single-joint or mullen mouth, poss a happy mouth or rubber. hope this helps :) x
 
I would also say try bitless. If you get a dramatic improvement then problem solved. Apart from that, try a mullen mouth. Some Horses just don't like jointed bits.
 
Thanks both. Yes I was only talking to my OH tonight about trying her bitless. My other TB will go in either bitless or french link quite happily. I would love to ride her and keep her bitless, but eventually I want to BD her and apparently you "need" a bit to do dressage. However I suppose if I try the bitless on her and she is dramatically improved, then at least I know that the bit is the issue which needs to be sorted. I have a Dr Cooks for my other horse -I think it might be too big, but I will try it, maybe tomorrow. Thanks again.
 
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