Bitting Advise Please

Finns Mum

Finns Mum

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After three years I am still trying to find a bit that suits my boy and it is getting a very expensive mission so wondering if anyone can suggst a bit to try that won't break the bank!

He is currently in a fulmer french link, which was the first bit I tried and I think this has worked because he likes the fixed ring, as after about four different loose ring bits I now realise he doesn't do those, and it has quite a thin mouth piece.

He is a Clydesdale x and has a very low pallet and fleshy lips, a while back a fitter came to look at him and said there is not a lot of room in his mouth.

She advised the Myler Comfort Snaffle but the sizes didn't really suit him 5.5" too big and 5" a little on the tight side, she advised the 5.5". He went very well in this for a while but then learnt he could move the bit side to side as it was on the large side. I would love to explore the Myler route further, as I know in the USA they do 1/4 sizes but I just can't afford it at the moment.

I have just bought a JP Korsteel eggbut in 5.5" but he hated it and it was a really generous 5.5" and quite chunky.

Brakes aren't really an issue, he can be strong but does not like anything stronger than a snaffle.

Cookies if you have got this far!

Does anyone have any suggestions?
 
It has taken me 7 years to find the right bit for my horse. He is also a Clydesdale X. It sounds like your horse is in a full cheek french link snaffle rather than a fulmer as fulmers have the full cheeks, but are loose ring.

My horse is in a NS universal with tranz lozenge and goes nicely in this.

You horse may not have liked the korsteel snaffle because it was too chunky and there is not enough room in his mouth for it.

As he seeks to like his full cheek snaffle, could you keep him in this?

Presumably his teeth have been recently checked by an EDT
 

another vote for neue schule bits! Give heather a phone for advice (number on the website) . My horse also has a fleshy tongue and it took me ages to find a snaffle he went well in - the NS verbindend is brill for him!
 
Ah thanks Highlandponylass I have learned something today, didn't realise a fulmer was loose ring!

I have tried him in NS bits before and have spoken to Heather, he didn't like them at all and the softness of the bit was a problem with his chomping, saying that they were both loose ring which I now know he doesn't like.

I will keep him in the french link until I find a better solution, but he is still fussy in it, and doesn't go as well as he did originally in the Myler so I still think I can improve his comfort a bit more than the french link
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Sorry should of said he has his teeth checked every three months as he does have a weird arrangement of teeth which doesn't help.
 
my Clydesdale x was an absulute nightmare to bit, must be the breed and the fleshy lips. I tried lots of options the only things he liked were

Dr Cooks Bitless Bridle (but don't use that anymore as I do dressage)
Full Cheek Snaffle with Lozenge with copper mouth
Waterford bit.
NS Universal.

He hated kimblewicks, single jointed bits, pelhams (with various mouthpieces)
 
3 and a half years on, Im having trouble with my clyde x too, just the same problems, brakes not a massive issue, but guidance and steering are! Just been recommended a Myler Kimblewick but I didnt like it, I didnt find it any different to the Cambridge KW ive got now.

Im pleased JessPickle mentioned the waterford as I have also been recommended to use that bit too. Might give it a go. Is it a loose ring bit?
 
I have my Dutch WB (well known for having thick fleshy tongues) in a fulmer snaffle with a half moon mouthpiece with a dot of copper painted on the top. It makes him salivate and the fulmer cheeks are fixed and help with steering. It was £14.00. PM me if you want details.
 
I think Jeffries eldonian do myler copies and they are pretty good. From what you have said I would have said a myler as well. If 5 1/2" is a bit big you could always use biscuits (those rubber bit guard thingies), they take up some of the excess space!. Hang on I'll go and look for the jeffries copies......
Yes I knew I'd seen these. £20 ish, the D ring one, just like a comfort snaffle!
http://www.ejeffries.co.uk/Bits/Curved.html
 
maybe look at the bit bank on comp riders to see if anyone has a quarter size in the one you want that you could borrow to try?! or possibly buy if it works!!!

Just so your not jumping changes before you try something that fits in a style he likes!
 
Seems that clydes can be awkward to find a bit which is comfy.

I have a 6" full cheek waterford decorating my garage if you want to give this a try. For waterfords and loose rings, go up 1/2".
 
my 8 year old clydex has had the same problem and also has teeth problems. She has diastema's and needs specialist dentistery every 3 months. she will not go in anything with a curb chain on it either as hates the curb action. the only 2 bits i can get her to go nice in are a waterford and copper roller mouth pieces. As she is very strong when xc i got her a copper roller dutch gag specially made. she is now much more settled in her mouth. i have also spent a fortune on bits etc i have bought several myler bits etc. i hope this help
 
Sorry to hear others have the same issues with their Clydes, but it is nice to know I am not alone with these problems!

Thank you for the offer Highlandponylass, I do have a Waterford that I used a little last year for xc, he tolerated it better than other stronger bits I tried, but wouldn't take a consistant contact with it, so not right for schooling.

Thank you so much for the link Suzysparkle!! He doesn't like the biscuits (I know I have the worlds most sensitive horse!) I am wondering whether a 5" might be okay as it is not a loose ring. Terrible pictures on their website, I will call them on Monday and see if they have the measurements for the thickness of the mouth piece.
 
You are welcome. I've seen them and they are the same thickness as Myler. A saddler up here (went out of business a while ago) used to stock them. I have problems with mine having sensitive skin and the corners of his mouth splitting. The myler comfort snaffle has been the best bit for him.
 
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