Bitting advice - someone help!!!

[kcgibson]

My 16.1hh TB X needs a new bit but not sure what to try?

He is currently in a single jointed loose ring snaffle, however, I don't really like the action of a single jointed bit and neither does my horse!! He holds his head up, particularly in trot, and he tends to try to pull the reins from my hands (i ride him on quite a long rein anyway and he does it whilst out hacking). His tongue isn't huge (i know that tongue size should be cosidered when choosing a bit) although it does kinda 'sit' onto his canines (is this normal tongue sized behaviour?!). I need something that encourages a contact and im hoping to have a go at dressage this year so dressage legal would be good too!! Ive considered (and been advised to go for) a Myler low port comfort snaffle and a neue schule tranz losenge loose ring. I don't want to lose any control tho when i change bits.
Any advice anyone????

 

[madhector]

i love the lozange bits prefer them to ordinary french link, well actually my horse does

 

[Bossanova]

Loose ring lozenge snaffle would be a good place to start- just ordinary metal, you can get a NS if he likes it.

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

me and mine like Neue Schule Comfy Contact

 

[madhector]

[ QUOTE ]
Loose ring lozenge snaffle would be a good place to start- just ordinary metal, you can get a NS if he likes it.

[/ QUOTE ]
shires do a plain metal one for bout £17 much cheaper than ns ones, good to try and see if he likes it

 

[piebaldsparkle]

The neue schule tranz losenge loose ring would be less of a change than going for a myler, thus would be my choice provided it is just the nutcracker action of the single jointed bit that your horse objects to.

 

[flyingfeet]

Unless you horse is not a standard size, I would try a shires lozenge snaffle in either stainless steel or german silver.

They are around £12-17 so much cheaper than NS to start with (having got both tranz angled and schulung I don't find the angle of the lozenge makes much difference, however mine do like the conrad / verbindend mouthpeice shape to allow more tongue space)

Mylers are good, but some times can be leaned on as the mouthpeice offers a more solid feel for the horse.

 

[lydiaandmiffy]

if u look on shop4bits.com then u find loadsa bit and you can trial them too

 

[kcgibson]

Ive heard that the normal french links can pinch the tongue (is this right?) so is the shires lozenge is more of a rounded shape? Wats the difference between german silver and stainless steel?

 

[kcgibson]

thanks for that lydia!!

 

[madhector]

it is rounded very much like the ns ones
http://www.shires-equestrian.co.uk/cgi-b...0/10.0.82.1.3.1
this is the one i use

 

[kcgibson]

Think im gonna go for a neue schule tranz losenge. Would have gone for the shires version as suggested by cotswoldSJ but they only go up to a size 5 1/2. My horse measures 5 3/4" from lip edge to lip edge so im guessing ill need a size 6 to allow for clearance (with it being a loose ring), is that right?

 

[Shiraz]

Yip, def go up a size - spesh since it's loose ring, you don't want the corners of your horses mouth getting pinched.

Maybe try a JP sweet iron loose ring lozenge training bit (it's less of a mouthful than it's name!) JP bits are curved so a better fit in the mouth. They are cheaper than NS so will give you a clue how your horse likes it before spending all that money. That's my plan with my horse anyway!!

Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[kcgibson]

thanks for that shiraz! had a look for the bit you mentioned, it only goes up to a 5.5". been on shop4bits and you can hire nearly all their bits for between £3-5.