Bitting Ideas

[HuskyFluff]

I'm in the process of getting my young horse used to a bit. I've tried a couple so far, but they haven't worked. We started with a recommendation of a neue schule full cheek tranz angle, which she hated (too much tongue pressure). Then it was suggested I try a verbindend, which was a bit better, but not good. I'm currently waiting for a BR soft contact bit to arrive, but does anyone have any other ideas that I could look at? She's very sensitive and has a fairly large tongue.

 

[Iznurgle]

It sounds like you're overcomplicating things, I see no reason why a youngster should be in anything more complicated than a snaffle, maybe a french link if they really dislike the snaffle.

 

[HuskyFluff]

It sounds like you're overcomplicating things, I see no reason why a youngster should be in anything more complicated than a snaffle, maybe a french link if they really dislike the snaffle.

They are snaffles - just with fancy names

 

[Ratface]

I would suggest a French link. I've started youngsters in these, over the years, and they've progressed well. The key to success, in my opinion, is the balance of the rider when beginning ridden work and a soft, consistent contact. I always had a neck strap or Jesus strap for safety. I still have the latter on my current exuberant oldie.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I have natives which don’t have a lot of room in their mouths-they are both in thin Mullen mouthpieces.

 

[Upthecreek]

I would try a Bombers Happy Tongue Loose Ring Snaffle.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

My Arab struggled with bits when we first tried them the only thing he tolerated for a long while was a magic snaffle, it's a thin ported mouth piece with loose rings I backed him and rode him in this for some years, I then tried a few different bits and his currently ridden in a hanging cheek sweet iron lozenge snaffle.

I often find once a horse is happy and confident in a bit you can then try a few different ones and they seem to accept something new then.

 

[exracehorse]

The myler comfort snaffle with low port?

 

[Cob Life]

I ride one with a big tongue, he likes anything that takes pressure off - anything ported (like the bomber happy tongue or myler mentioned by others above), he likes a Waterford but I wouldn’t put that on a youngster.

I’m going to go against what everyone else has said and avoid a french link, equine_bitting_solutions on tiktok has a good video showing how they sit in the mouth

 

[Iznurgle]

They are snaffles - just with fancy names

My mistake! I should have googled before I commented.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Look at the Bomber happy tongue range, eggbutt, loose ring etc, all designed for those with big fleshy tongues.

 

[Snow Falcon]

Myler type curved lozenge bit is good for for my sensitive mouthed pony. Got it off ebay for far less than a proper one. As it's so trial and error I don't pay (what I consider anyway!) over the odds for them. Consequently my bit collection grows. ?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30317208...mufPUMxHT1NeOTJr3xw18hmR3dNL|tkp:BFBMuPvSyItg

 

[Glitterandrainbows]

another recommendation for the myler comfort snaffle

 

[dixie]

Yes I was going to suggest the Bomber range or Myler too.
or save time messing with different bits and get a bitting consultant out.
I don’t think you are over complicating things. You need your horse comfortable else it will hinder progress.
however saying that don’t focus on it too much. Youngsters

 

[dixie]

Hmmm it cut off the rest of my reply. ?
It was meant to say that youngster can be fussy with their mouths until they get stronger.

 

[[153312]]

just get a consultant out if it's really a bit fit issue, not just baby uncertainty/fussiness.

 

[HuskyFluff]

Many thanks for the ideas - I'll be doing some investigating

Unfortunately the bitting specialist I want to use has a long wait time, so I wanted to see if I could get my horse comfortable in the meantime.

 

[Annagain]

Have a look at the HP snaffle - it's basically a Myler comfort snaffle but half the price.