Bitting advice

[haejilnyeok]

I've had my young gelding for just over 4 months now and I'm thinking of changing his bit however, I don't really know where to start. I currently ride him in an eggbutt snaffle with a flash noseband and I just don't think he's happy in it. He keeps opening his mouth and I really don't like clamping his mouth shut with a flash but he knows he can open his mouth and ****** off and spook with his mouth open. So I'm guessing he doesn't like the single joint of the snaffle and is opening his mouth to evade the joint on on the roof of his mouth, so I was wondering would a bit such as a French link help him as it would lie flatter in his mouth? My only concern for him is that I really don't want to put him in a stronger bit as there's no need for it as he's never really been overly strong with me.

I'm also seeking a bit to help lift his head up when we're jumping as he's very prone to running downhill and getting on the forehand coming into fences but again, nothing strong as he's very rarely one to pull and fight, just gets a bit heavy and runs. I know schooling is a huge part with this problem and he is far far better than what he was but after he's jumped a few fences he's just charging about feeling like he's running into the ground. I was wondering if something with a loose ring might help as it wouldn't have the stability of the eggbutt and he would find it harder to lean on and run downwards with?

Thanks in advance for any advice, it's greatly appreciated

 

[Peter7917]

What is his mouth like? Does he have a low palate? A fleshy tongue? Opening his mouth can be about more than him just knowing he can do it and bog off.

 

[be positive]

It sounds as if a few lessons would be useful in general and a good instructor will be best placed to advise on suitable bits but for now I would try a simple loose ring french link, which is milder and usually kinder than a single jointed and see how he goes, I assume you have had his teeth checked since you bought him.

 

[SpringArising]

A single-joint and a flash - ouch! I'd get that changed for a French link or similar ASAP.

For jumping if you want some elevation you could try something like a double-jointed two-ring Dutch Gag with two reins (or roundings).

 

[Wagtail]

I agree with SA. Nothing worse than a single jointed snaffle and a flash. You need to have a good look at his mouth. How deep is is 'bit seat'? How fleshy is his tongue? It sounds as though he is opening his mouth to get some relief from the pain. A single joint can impact both on the roof of the mouth and on the jaw bone as it has a squeezing action on the lower jaw. These bones are surprisingly thin and fragile, with nothing but gum to protect them. A French link will transfer some of the pressure onto the tongue and relieve the bars of the mouth somewhaat. However, some horses with fleshy tongues do not like them. It might be that a mullen mouth with a small port might suit your horse better, but try the French link first. If he has a shallow bit seat, then you need a slimmer mouth piece. Ideally, you need someone who knows about bitting to have a look at his mouth for you.