Bitting suggestions needed

T

theoilbaron

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 April 2015
Messages
53
Visit site
I bought an ID 4 months ago. When tried him didn't notice any problems with mouth. I had his teeth done shortly after purchase as on vetting he had hooks on teeth. I am having problems with him constantly mouthing, getting tongue over bit and generally unsettled in his mouth. I originally put him into a Neule schule verbinand snaffle but he wasn't happy and after speaking to previous owner put him in fulmer snaffle as she had used. Was no better and almost instantly got tongue over. After speaking to bit bank I have him in a happy tongue bomber bit and although he was better in it at first he is now back to square one! I am reluctant to put a flash on without trying to get to the bottom of the problem. Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
 
A Sprenger 'Turnado' is meant to help with this - and worked nicely for my last horse who used to get his tongue over the bit.

Rather than flash, perhaps a grackle? - my current horse is very fussy in his mouth and seems to best in this - I don't like using a flash on him but the grackle helps settle his mouth to a degree. Bitting for him has been trial and error, we've been through everything... - just tried a new Happy Mouth 'contour' with a lozenge and it seems to work well so far!
 
Tried the turnado and tongue straight over! Was thinking about a grackle but wanting to do dressage and I know their not legal! Just been reading about Nathe bits and wondering whether to try them. He doesn't seem to like the tongue pressure.
 
Have you tried an unjointed snaffle with no port? Some horses don't like the port shape because it can concentrate pressure in the lower areas rather than spreading across the mouth. It may also be worth experimenting with different thicknesses of mouthpieces.
Given that it doesn't seem to have been an issue in his previous home, have you discussed with your instructor whether it could be a difference on the amount of contact you are using compared to what he is used to?
 
You might also have considered this, but are you 100% sure the bit is the issue? Perhaps you are using different aids or a different hand position to the previous owner; or he is stressing about being asked different/new work? I am currently re-schooling a senstive mare that does this when asked certain dressage movements that she finds mentally difficult, and also when ridden by rider's that use different rein aids from those she was taught in the past.
Can you get the previous owner to have a ride (and maybe bring his old bridle too, as even a slightly different bit size could make a difference) and help you pinpoint the problem?
 
kassieg said:
I know it sounds like obvious question but is your bit high enough in his mouth?
Click to expand...

This. Some horses prefer the bit to be higher in their mouth than others, and if he's consistently getting his tongue over a variety of bits checking the bit height would be my first port of call too.
 
My Irish cob mare was very fussy in the mouth. She came to us in a rubber Pelham. We changed it to a roller full cheek snaffle which was better but still not perfect. An instructor recommended the Hillary Vernon square shaped Mullen loose ring as she has fleshy tongue and she instantly went much better and stopped chomping on bit. I have just bought the Hillary Vernon dalehead for x country as I can't hold her in the Mullen.
 
kassieg said:
I know it sounds like obvious question but is your bit high enough in his mouth?
Click to expand...

I was just about to ask the same! I once put my TB in a french link, within 45 mins he had his tongue over, then spent a year getting him to not.

Eventually used this bit along with a drop.
Bitwithtonguegrid.jpg
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top