Bitting Advise please

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xxcharlottexx

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Just a quick question to see what you would reccomend as a bit to use for my horse as im struggling at the minute
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hes 8yr old, although is still very green (is more like 5 mentally) hes a 15.3 TB with quite a soft mouth, but has now taken to chomping his bit (hes fine for the first 20mins but will do it once he has settled and started to relax properly.) and if if feels like it will sometimes grab hold of it when were out hacking and having a canter/gallop to try and evade it.

Hes currently in a loose ring french link, but today he was a complete nightmare to ride. He was perfect in walk, well besides the chomping he has now started. and was working in a lovely outline and felt great to ride. As soon as i ask for trot its head straight in the air and throwing it around. Ive tried experimenting with every hand position to try and get him to relax and he was having none of it. and if i tried half halting to get his head to come down and get him working from behind he would plant his feet and do mini rears.
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I bought him a replacement bit last week, which is slightly bigger. 5.5" instead of 5" as i though his other was too small, and its also slightly thinner. Im not sure if this is the problem, though i woldnt have thought so as its the same mouth piece.

But was wondering what you would suggest?

If he was your horse what bit would you try him in?

thanks
charlotte
 
I am no expert but because of his age I would be tempted to try a happy mouth, either straight bar or peanut, maybe a hanging cheek or just loose rings, see if that settles him, but if he still chomos at it I would stop using as it will split.

xx correct me anyone if I am wrong, am not afraid of learning !!!!! even at 30 !!

xx
 
his teeth were done about 4 months ago by the vets and then 2 months a proper ED was up on the yard so i asked him to have a quick look and he said they were fine.

Ive booked to have a saddle fitter come out but shes quite busy but from prodding around he doest seem to have any pain in his back and there seem to be no pressure points from his saddle.

His bit is slightly thinner than his previous one, but its still not particularly thin.
He has never worked brilliantly in trot out on hacks but today his was alot worse than usual.
 
Sounds like you might be trying to do too much out hacking. Although it is a good place to do a bit of training you shouldn't expect to be on the bit for the whole ride.

If you have problems with your horse runing away in faster work and chomping, I'd be tempted to try something like a kimblewick and use this very lightly.

I would then train back in the snaffle, so that you can make the most of the bits available and give your horse a change.
 
Changed my mare to a happy mouth, she loves it. She played up a little when i first tried it out, but she soon settled.
 
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