Bitting Advice Please?

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reb1825

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I struggle to maintain a contact on my horse in a steel french link loose ring snaffle - he comes back at me and tries to evade the bit by throwing his head and sticking his tongue out. I'm pretty sure this is caused by a sensitive tongue and so started shopping around for different bit options. The two that seem to be standing out so far are the bomber happy tongue loose ring snaffle and the Beris loose ring ported snaffle. Obviously the beris is softer as it's not made of metal but I'm worried he might take the opportunity to lean on it? I've also looked into Mylers and Neue Schule bits however I've heard that horses with fussier mouths tend not to like them, so I'm not sure whether they'd be a good option or not?

Does anyone have any experiences with these bits, or any suggestions as to other bits which may be suitable? x
 
I would try a Myler Comfort snaffle. I used that on my newly-broken Welsh cob and she was very sensitive. It stays very still and gentle in the mouth and each side works independently.
 
If this is a recent thing get his teeth checked. Then his saddle and then his back. In that order.

My fussy mare didn't like the Myler or the Neue Schule however she only really took offence the Neue Schule and this could have simply been that it was the type. The myler she just held it like it was glass almost and you could see she wasn't comfortable.

Sticking tongue out can be a number of things including sensitive tongue. It could be that you are using too much force on his mouth or he may not like the loose ring. I would try a lozenge first. Or even an eggbutt or hanging cheek.

I do like copper peanuts however in the metal bits they are only one full cheeks and know some people aren't a fan of full cheeks.

ETA: Although it sounds like the bit could be changed it is also a schooling issue.
 
reb1825 said:
I struggle to maintain a contact on my horse in a steel french link loose ring snaffle - he comes back at me and tries to evade the bit by throwing his head and sticking his tongue out...........................Does anyone have any experiences with these bits, or any suggestions as to other bits which may be suitable? x
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It could be something as simple as the bit being too low in the horse's mouth.

My horse with a fat tongue and low palette likes NS bits.
 
I think it's partially a schooling issue because he's still learning to accept the contact and carry himself correctly however I think a new but would make him more comfortable - he really doesn't seem to be at the minute. It's not a new issue, he's been like this since I got him, only now I'm focusing more on schooling as I have the time. Fairly certain I'm not using too much force, reins are like washing lines sometimes trying to get him to go forward lol. Might try something with a fixed ring and a lozenge then?
Thank you all x
 
How do you expect him to take a consistant contact if you are not offering him a consistant contact? If sometimes you have reins like washing lines and sometimes you have taught reins then maybe he's confused.

Job no. 1 is to get him forward!! Do not allow him to slow down unless you say so, I would hazard a guess that the contact will improve quite rapidly if a) he is more forward without you having to keep asking and b) keeping tighter reins with no loops in them.

By all means find a different bit that suits his mouth shape better but that is only a small part of the jigsaw
 
keeping tighter reins and riding into the contact makes things much worse, that was the first thing my instructor recommended and lots of head tossing/napping/general unhappiness ensued... definitely needs less pressure, not more, as when I ride him as usual he's perfectly forward and responsive to my leg (walk to canter no problem) just tentative into the contact. Can see why you thought that though from my last comment though, sometimes he has 'bad days' when I can't pick up a contact without him pinning his head to his chest (teeth etc have been checked) and I would basically throw my hands at him to get him to go anywhere. We've both improved a lot since then but old habits die hard. I've started warming up on a totally loose rein to try to avoid this and to encourage him to work long and low before picking up a contact as I've found that's the best way for him to loosen up.

I've gone for an eggburt with a lozenge and very ergonomic arms, hopefully that'll help, if not I'll start looking into Beris etc again
 
Imagine you are keeping the horse between your legs and your arms. (You may think you are doing that already but you probably aren't.. I know i'm not unless I think about it!) Then push with your legs but hold with your hands. Push your horse into the contact.

If it helps, I haven't yet achieved this with my horse however you seems to know what you're doing.. my mare is very resistant and is quite happy with a lot of pressure on her mouth if it means she doesn't have to do something.. strong-willed.

If it helps any sometimes the "natural" way doesn't work and you have to resort to other things - I use a De Gogue and it has worked wonders.
 
reb1825 said:
I struggle to maintain a contact on my horse in a steel french link loose ring snaffle - he comes back at me and tries to evade the bit by throwing his head and sticking his tongue out. I'm pretty sure this is caused by a sensitive tongue and so started shopping around for different bit options. The two that seem to be standing out so far are the bomber happy tongue loose ring snaffle and the Beris loose ring ported snaffle. Obviously the beris is softer as it's not made of metal but I'm worried he might take the opportunity to lean on it? I've also looked into Mylers and Neue Schule bits however I've heard that horses with fussier mouths tend not to like them, so I'm not sure whether they'd be a good option or not?

Does anyone have any experiences with these bits, or any suggestions as to other bits which may be suitable? x
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My boy has a fussy mouth, he would only settle in a bomber for a long time, not dressage legal but fantastic when your back is up against the wall bitting wise!!!
 
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