Bitting Advise Please

Finns Mum

Finns Mum

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Hi, just wondering if anyone could offer some advise on a bit to try for my horse.

In the past I have used a loose ring french link, but he was very fussy in this and was advised by a bitting expert to change him to a Myler Comfort Snaffle in the eggbutt style.

He goes ok in this but is still fussy in his mouth and fixes on the right rein. I then tried a ported Myler Comfort Snaffle with hooks, and I found the contact better and I was able to soften and persuade him off the right rein much better, but he was not happy in the bit and was was even more fussy in the mouth, and tended to back off it.

I wonder if half the probelm is the sizing of the Mylers, a 5" is too small, and a 5.5" is on the large size but I was advised to go with the 5.5.

Looking in his mouth, he has very flabby lips but not an overly large mouth, his tongue is large and the roof of his mouth is very flat and there is not much room between his tongue and top of mouth.

I have had his teeth, back and saddle all checked.

I have also just ordered a flexi-rein to stop me fixing against him, which I know it a large factor to our problems.

But I would be grateful for any suggestions on what other bit might be more comfortable for him. Many thanks
 
YOu are doing the right thing by putting him in a french link type/myler type bit which will greatly reduce the nutcracker action on his tongue and the roof of his mouth.

My horse has a similar mouth conformation and he goes brilliantly in a mullen mouth pelham (metal) as anything else would be too thick. A pelham is not as strong as some other bits, it doesnt just act on the mouth, it acts on the chin groove and poll when the bit is at 45 degs ( diluting the action from the mouth). In otherwords not immediately when the reins are applied. I used to back arabs and they were started in a snaffle and they hated them and suddenly went so much better in a mullen pelham.

My horse's most favourite bit, which is ironic as it is stronger is the NS Universal trans-lozenge bit 16 mm.

Its great that you are looking for a bit which will make him more comfortable. Lucky horse.

Unfortunately, its going to be a case of trial and error. I have a load of bits you could try, but at 6 -6 1/2 inches, they will all be too big.

Try asking heather at neule schule.

Good luck with searching.
 
I love the Ky Rotary Snaffles (the double jointed ones) and they might suit your horse as he sounds very simular to mums who goes brilliantly in it. The mouthpiece is quite thin and the central Rotary bit makes it very gentle with no pinching (I did the arm test and it felt so much better than other bits- a single jointed snaffle drew blood!). You also have independant side action which could help with him fixing on the right rein. I have the loose ring versions but they also do an eggbutt which might be better? They come up on Ebay sometimes but I have no idea if there is a bit bank which has them, I just got mine from the local tack shop, they are about £20 and are dressage legal.

Good luck, I hope you find something that works!


http://www.hoofheartedequestrian.co.uk/ky-rotary-bits-c201.html
 
I absolutely love the Eldonian Revolver Hanging Cheek. Works wonders with my warmblood and she is very tricky in the mouth. The revolver gives you independent action and prevents them hanging on your rein. I use this for dressage.

Then for jumping and hacking i use a happy mouth 4 ring gag revolver (though i have just ordered the 3 ring as i never use the bottom hole). Once again has the same benifits as Eldonian bit but with the plus of being a soft happy mouth.

Also i had a huge problem with a loose ring snaffle and my mare. she has a soft fleshy mouth and the skin was catching in the loose ring and cutting her! i was horrified. She was a different horse once i changed her to these 2 bits. i would also not put a horse that is fussy in the mouth in a pelham. You see so many horses being socked in the mouth with pelham and a lot of the times it is really not needed. and if the horse is tense in the mouth then the curb could make it worse
Hope it helps!
Luv Elle
x
 
I'd phone Heather at NS bits or PJ at BitWorld. I'd also go for a Neue Schule - I'm struggling to think of a horse that doesn't go better in one that I know of.

Pony I've started riding sets hard down the rein in a loose ring French link, put him in my NS baucher 16m tranz lozenge - different pony, truely different.

Also be very aware when you are riding that you aren't allowing him to set by holding on or pulling back, its very easy to get into he pulls so you pull, making him pull more....
 
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