Bitting Help Please - Am thinking Myler?

sjp1

sjp1

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I have tried quite a few bits with my appaloosa. He has a thick tongue and I think a fairly low palate. He of course has pinky skin so sensitive corners of his mouth.

To cut a very long story short, we have recently moved yards, mostly because I felt I needed a bit of help with him and the new YO is an instructor and there is an indoor school there etc.

I have only ever slopped along on the buckle. I am now using my legs and rein contact and he is improving. However, YO has put him into a happy mouth loose ring and because he opens his mouth - which he does with everything I have tried - I am using a flash.

I am not hugely happy with either bit of flash, and he is not hugely happy with the flash AT ALL. Yes, I know he is mine and I should say what I think, but I am not sure of the alternatives.

He is better behaved when ridden with a contact and even out hacking doesn't spook half as much - I suppose because he is now aware that there is someone actually there, rather than left to his own devices.

I have tried a eldonian revolver bit - he hated it, Myler MB3004 with hooks - he was better with this, but I think I shouldn't have used the bit with hooks and I think it was too much tongue pressure.

So, thoughts please. Looking at the Myler book, it suggested a MB36? For horses that get above the bit etc.
 
I have a dotty mare with exactly the issue that you describe - big tongue, low palate and gets a sore mouth where the pink bits are. After trying happy mouths, mylers, french links, snaffles, latex wrap, leather wrap, rubber straight bar etc etc, I finally tried a large version of what I start driving my shetties in - a cambridge mouth snaffle aka magic bit.
It's thin enough to sit comfortably in her mouth, she doesn't get sore, and she works in an outline> plus they are cheap enough that if it doesn't work, you haven't lost out. Down side is that they aren't dressage legal :(
And I use it with bit rings :)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cambridge...Horse_Wear_Equipment&var=&hash=item6673b257f7
 
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I have the same. Spooky appy with fat tongue. Tried every bit in the world - she tends to grab hold, stick her head in the air and run. Lots of fun, not. Since using a low port, hanging cheek, comfort snaffle with drop noseband, she's like a different horse. Soft and lovely ;)
 
Myler's aren't really designed to be ridden on a contact - they're very thin, and so quite sharp. Have you tried a shaped bit, such as a neue schule or kk ultra?
 
I am no expert but i can tell you what has worked for me.
I have a clydie with low palate and massive tongue and big fleshy lips who opens his mouth to evade the bit.
We are now happily in a loose ring waterford but more than 1/2" bigger than usual size. I know Waterfords are controversial but I can ride so much more softly in it and he has suddenly softened to me like never before. The only thing is I won't let my novice OH ride in it - way too severe if you ride in very 'obvious' movements. I am now looking for a dressage legal bit and looking at the NS lozenge and curved bradoon type (thinner mouthpiece so theoretically more space for tongue).
 
I have an 04 myler and an 06 myler. the 06 has a wider and higher port for tounge room.
My horse is very fussy hates tounge pressure, loose rings just make her fuss more, didn't like nutcracker action and lots of snaffles are quite thick. She often put her tounge over the bit to avoid the pressure. in the 04 she is quite good but still curls the tounge back. in the 06 she is best i dont use it on the bottom hooks she is also in a micklem bridle done up quite loose
 
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