Bombers Bits/Bitting Trouble

[Al Capony]

I have a lovely 7yo gelding that I'm having a bit of an issue with. I've tried all my bits on him (a stainless steel single joint full cheek, french link sweet iron eggbutt, Myler low port eggbutt, and a single jointed copper extremely mild gag bit). With every bit I put him in, he chews on them constantly. They all bear tooth marks and it drives me nuts! He's resistant to opening his mouth for the bit and when I try to pick up a light contact while riding he just sticks his nose out and pulls. I think in part he doesn't understand the pressure, as he's never done anything to really evade the bit. We'll work on it but I want to straighten out his CONSTANT chomping first. He does it while he's tied, while I lead him, and while I ride or lunge him. Lately I've begun riding him in a simple sidepull because he responds much better to that, but he won't be able to compete with a bitless bridle. He's UTD with dentist and vet work and none have found a physical reason that he can't wear a bit. I've had my eye on 2 of the Bombers bits to try on him. The happy tongue full cheek (with keepers) and the Buster roller. These bits aren't available in my country so I'd love to hear from anyone who's had experience with these bits or could recommend something else for his issue. Thank you in advance.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

have you tried a non-jointed bit? or a loose ring snaffle? I have one pony who won't tolerate anything jointed and he was ridden in a peewee bit and another was in a loose ring pinchless french link.

 

[Al Capony]

have you tried a non-jointed bit? or a loose ring snaffle? I have one pony who won't tolerate anything jointed and he was ridden in a peewee bit and another was in a loose ring pinchless french link.

Those are 2 that I haven't tried. NONE of my local shops carry mullen mouth snaffles so that's why I thought the Bomber with a solid but shaped mouthpiece and totally stable cheeks may work. Everyone I've asked has just kept pushing "stability" and deterred me from loose rings, but I thought a loose ring might help stop him pulling on me.

 

[Queenbee]

I have a bomber bit, Ive found it invaluable. Ben was very tricky to bit for a time and we later found out that he had a retained shard of wolf tooth which has since worked its way out (very appreciative of that as it saved me paying to have it removed!) However, during the end of this period and for some while after he did not like movement in his mouth, he went best in a straight bar, and chewed any vulcanite or happy mouth within one session! In the end I got him a bomber bit in a portugese gag it was fab, gave me enough brakes to jump and kept him happy. there were times that with other bits he would literally run across the stable to get away from the bridle... I went through so many bits, this has completely turned him around and now I can bit him in other bits too! Can highly recommend for the more sensitive horse.

This is the one I got:

 

[MotherOfChickens]

Those are 2 that I haven't tried. NONE of my local shops carry mullen mouth snaffles so that's why I thought the Bomber with a solid but shaped mouthpiece and totally stable cheeks may work. Everyone I've asked has just kept pushing "stability" and deterred me from loose rings, but I thought a loose ring might help stop him pulling on me.

he might not have read the manual a loose ring might not give him anything to chew. A completely fixed bit might give him something to lean on. You can but try, tried that wee pony in everything I could get my hands on!

I have no experience with the bomber bit, worth a try.

 

[Queenbee]

what country are you in OP? I know over here we have a number of companies who allow you to have a 2 week trial, basically they send you the bit, you pay full price and if you don't like it then they refund you the price minus something like £10, this was how I did it.

 

[Al Capony]

what country are you in OP? I know over here we have a number of companies who allow you to have a 2 week trial, basically they send you the bit, you pay full price and if you don't like it then they refund you the price minus something like £10, this was how I did it.

USA. We have a couple companies that have similar programs but I haven't been able to find exactly what I need so far. You guys across the pond always have exciting and different products so I turned to some of your online shops! If worst comes to worst, I don't mind buying and reselling a few bits to get what I need.

 

[Al Capony]

he might not have read the manual a loose ring might not give him anything to chew. A completely fixed bit might give him something to lean on. You can but try, tried that wee pony in everything I could get my hands on!

I have no experience with the bomber bit, worth a try.

Haha they're all so unique! I have 2 and they're opposites in every way possible aside from being big chestnuts.