chewing the bit

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BobbyMondeo

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M boy has recently started really chewing on his bit whenever it is in his mouth and when you are riding. He doesnt snatch at the bot or the reins, just chews on it. His teeth are all checked and his back his fine. Just wondering if there is anything that might be wrong or anything i could do to make it more comfortable for him because it seems like he really doesnt like the bit in his mouth. Ive tried him in a bitless bridle and it was a disaster so thats not really an option. He is in a loose ring french link at the moment
 
He was in a happy mouth when i bought him but it was all chewed to pieces so he has obviously done it before, but i put him in the metal one and he stopped....maybe ill try him back in the happy mouth again and see how it goes, just dont want him to end up chewing through it or something.
probably being a bit paranoid over nothing lol
 
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He was in a happy mouth when i bought him but it was all chewed to pieces so he has obviously done it before, but i put him in the metal one and he stopped....maybe ill try him back in the happy mouth again and see how it goes, just dont want him to end up chewing through it or something.
probably being a bit paranoid over nothing lol

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Try putting him in a mouthing bit for a few days - even when you are mucking out just tie him up for an hour with his bridle on and put the mouthing bit on him.. (the one with Keys).
That may help.xx
 
Do you clean your bit regularly and what do you wash it with? Perhaps it needs a clean/ he doesn't like the taste of your detergent? Alternatively try loosening his noseband and/or checking how tight his browband and headpiece are- they can sometimes cause changes in behaviour because they agitate nerve endings
 
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If he chews DON'T use a happy mouth, they can actually chew the plastic and leave sharp edges.

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Thats why i dont want to put him back in the happy mouth
 
my horse is a bit chewer. i found happy mouths were the worst, cos like you say, they chew into them, and they get sharp edges.

he's most settled in bits that don't sit on his tongue (he has a fat tongue and i think he chewed cos bits pushed on it) and that have copper in them.

x
 
For genuine alternatives if you think the tongue may be the problem anything with a ported mouthpiece (they do loose ring snaffles) or you could try the Myler MB12, or the Myler combination (which focusses on whole head AND mouthpiece pressure) or maybe even try the peewee bit?? Good luck, let us know how it goes
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I have looked at the Pee Wee bit before the problem is i have such a limited budget ( so small that if i buy a bit i wont really have much money for food ) that its difficult. Ive heard people talking about borrowing bits before, where could i do that? then i wont be shelling out for abit that doesnt make a difference
 
Hmm I think most bit banks expect you to pay in the first instance and let you change the bit as often as you need to- although I'm not sure how much scope there is for changing between brands?

Maybe try posting a thread on here asking for some bits to borrow? I'm sure lots of people have available bits they would lend you to help out
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