Bitting Advice

[georg1e]

Hi All,

I have a 6 yr old TB who is very resistant to the bit whilst schooling. His back, teeth etc have all been checked and all fine. he is fine out hacking as ridden on loose rein. During schooling he is very resistant to work in an outline or at all!!!! and throws his head everywhere. Draw reins don't help much as still very resistant. He is ridden in a loose ring french link snaffle and has been for 2 years with no problems. Please any advice as to which bit to try would be great as now sooo many available.

Thanks

 

[miss_c]

First off I would be getting teeth, tack and back checked. Do you have them done regularly? Then if those are all fine it's really a case of trying different bits... many tack shops will let you do a trial period...

 

[Cliqmo]

Many tbs have a relatively small amount of space for a bit so may be worth trying a bit with a thinner (ie opposite of thick, not opposite of wide!!) mouthpiece? However this will also have the inadvertant effect of making the pressure on the tongue sharper so be aware he may react even more strongly to it! Failing that it may be worth trying a mullen mouth happy mouth? They are very gentle and may help him stop figeting? Good luck!!

 

[teddyt]

If he has been ridden for 2 years with no problems then it must be something other than the bit. What is he like with different riders?

 

[georg1e]

Thanks all, as back, teeth etc done recently i'll try a happy mouth or hackamore first and see what happens. He is the same with all riders, worse for some.

Has anyone tried the pee-wee bit??