Bitting puzzle - thoughts welcome!

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mystiandsunny

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Pony's been v difficult to bit since backing. Loves Dr Cook bitless (will go in a perfect outline, is relaxed etc) but can't go in that for life as she's a pony and bitless isn't allowed for PC or junior BS. So, these are the bits we've tried, and her reactions:

FRENCH LINK MOUTHPIECES:
- Loose ring (thick or thin, steel or sweet-iron) - behind the bit, no contact, not mouthing bit at all.
- Hanging cheek - some contact but variable, not mouthing bit.
- Hanging cheek, vetwrap round mouthpiece - better contact than without, some mouthing up (little).
- Dutch gag (3 ring) - very very light contact taken, works in an outline easily, no mouthing, but only ok on 2nd ring where bit is raised more in the mouth.
- Dutch gag (3 ring) with vetwrap - nice outline, light contact allowed, still works best on 2nd ring but is happyish on snaffle ring and will work well, mouths up a little.

MULLEN MOUTHPIECES
- Flexible rubber - head up, runs through it pretty much, happy to take a strong contact.
- Plain metal - as for rubber.
- Plastic korsteel slightly bendy one, very variable outline, will take a contact but not relaxed and happy.

Am I correct in thinking that maybe it is her bars that are too sensitive, because:
- mullen mouth works a lot on the tongue so not too much bar pressure and it's with these bits that she will take a stronger contact;
- gag/hanging cheek type bits lift the mouthpiece up a little when in use so less bar pressure;
- vetwrap enables her to be happier in her mouth, and this would cushion the bars against the bit?

Does she raise her head with the mullen mouthpieces because she doesn't have to hold it lower as she's happier with the bit? Or not? She drops into an outline easily in the Dr Cook though, without even being prompted...?

Also, when jumping she will jump best in the gag, but still tends to rush a little. In the bitless, relaxed and happy pony, no rushing at all.
 
Sounds like a tricky situation. Its a real shame that ponies cant beridden bitless by children. If only the pony club and others would accept it for what it is ie a safe and effective way to ride.

I think the mildest bit would be the best for her as you dont want her to lean or pull on you. What size of mouth does she have? Make sure the mouthpiece isnt too thick or too thin.

Have you ever heard of the micklem bridle.
http://www.williammicklem.com/multibridle-multibridle.html
With this bridle, you can use it as a bitless at home, and for a bit at shows and pony club. It has a strap that goes from the bit to the noseband so not all the bit pressure is on the mouth, some of it is transmitted to the noseband. Im thinking of getting one for my boy, mostly for the bitless option. But i think it would be a good bridle to teach him to go in a bit as well.
Might be worth a look.
 
have you tried lozenge instead of FL?
or a tounge saver type lozenger?
or how about a ported straight bar?
tbh there are loads of styles of mouthpeices out there and sometimes its just trial and error... i went through a lot with my mare and ednded up with a flexi mullen - then moved to a metal mullen and am now on a lozenge eggbutt - which she was origonally in and hated lol!
i also found eggbutt far better than loose ring for her - so worth trying mouthpeices too
and if you find one she's happy in but needs more breaks try lokoing at nosebands - i rate the kineton :)
 
Could you get something like a nathe ie very light and warm-feeling, and then just have it in her mouth while you ride off the Dr Cooks for a while. You could let her get used to the feel of the bit with no pressure from it, then perhaps change over by using two reins for a while as if it was a double bridle. Your post sounds as if the pony is quite young and maybe needs a bit more time to get it's head round being ridden.
 
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