bitting advice

[skye01]

Hello all,

I have just brought a 4 year old and i'm struggling with finding a nice bit for her. I've had her five weeks and the owner before hand had her in a loose ring snaffle. She is super sensitive in the mouth but also ignores anything you ask. I have mainly been doing ground work and lunging but am experiencing it both on the ground and ridden. I have tried multiple bits inc rubber and happy mouths but she is really resistant to any sort of pressure. Is this something that can be worked through, do i need to try bitless or even a different type of bridle? I'm ideally looking for (obviously) whatever is going to make her the most comfortable and happiest- even if it is until the ground issues/ baby brain has evolved and she understands better.

TIA

 

[AppyLover1996]

I would see if she has any teeth that have recently come through or need taking out before looking at changing her bit/bridle set up.

Have you spoken to the old owner and asked if she did anything like this with them? It could be her way of showing you she's insecure and she could settle over time. She is only young and has recently moved, and some horses take longer to settle than others x

If everything comes back fine regarding that, then I would look at having a bit/bridle fitting specialist out - especially as she is young and you don't want any negative associations with the bit/bridle.

I am in support of bit and bitless and ride Baggs my old lad in both a side pull and simple french link snaffle. However, I noticed in your post that you said she isn't keen on pressure - is this pressure in the mouth or pressure as a whole i.e she resists when you ask her to back up/ yield her hindquarters away from you? The nicest bitless option would be a side pull which transfers the riders cues directly to the noseband and has a direct effect, in that when you release, she'll feel the release instantly x The side pull bitless has no leverage and is often considered the kindest bitless you can get. On the bit front what sort of mouth piece does she have - is it a french link/ nutcracker type action/ high port/ low port. Baggs my old lad detests anything that isn't a french link mouthpiece as he has a small mouth, and as advised by a bit fitter, the french link is the best type of bit for him x

 

[SpeedyPony]

How long has she been backed? If she is ignoring the aids/ bit it may be because she doesn't understand what you're asking of her, perhaps because she's still green or because the old owner had a different riding style.
You could certainly try bitless, the quickest and cheapest way would be to attach some reins to a headcollar (try in a school/enclosed field first!) and see how she gets on.

 

[lynz88]

Sounds to me that she isn't ready for the "noise" of a loose ring. Mine ignores if there is too much movement and then also curls and he's much, much older! Maybe change to a fixed cheek and see what you get and then play with the actual bit piece?

 

[KikiDee]

I've had a couple who were very fussy in the mouth who both seemed to prefer a low-ported snaffle like the Myler Comfort or Bomber Happy Tongue. I think those that seem to resist most bits often have small mouths or big tongues and find tongue pressure from a straight bar or standard snaffle too much. They're also generally very stable bits in the mouth so they seem to relax into them a bit more. Just be careful that you size it right as otherwise the port can pull through the mouth and sit incorrectly.