Dressage legal bits

[Stroppy Mare]

My 4yo is currently being ridden in a nathe loose ring straight bar snaffle. It has been recommended that a hanging cheek might work better for her, but she is not strong, just struggling with the concept of relaxation, so don't want a stronger mouthpiece.

She isn't keen on NS or a standard stainless steel French link hanging cheek, so assume it's likely to either be the metal or the double joints she's not keen on. I'm not sure and don't have the bits available to narrow it down.

Happy mouth do a straight bar hanging cheek but it isn't dressage legal. What other bits could I try which would be similar?

 

[mirage]

We had success with a sweet iron French link snaffle on a tricky to bit pony. She really took to it. It might be worth trying a straight bar in sweet iron if you could get one?

 

[PorkChop]

A hanging cheek only makes the bit sit stiller in the mouth and helps with steering, it does not make the bit stronger.

If it aint broke - stick with what you are using

 

[Stroppy Mare]

We had success with a sweet iron French link snaffle on a tricky to bit pony. She really took to it. It might be worth trying a straight bar in sweet iron if you could get one?

Had a look, it would appear shires do one with a slight port. Might look into getting one of those if it's legal.

I'm not after more control ljr, but more relaxation onto the bit. She'll come with work, but she's a bit stressy at first and takes a fair amount of working in. Wasn't sure whether a new bit might be more favoured by the spoilt pony! Everything else is ok

 

[eggs]

Think the port will stop it bring dressage legal.

 

[Tnavas]

If you think she's not happy with the double joint then try a single joint.

See below the damage a double joint can cause, the jaw bones are barely 1" apart and can cause quite significant bruising of the bars and inside the corners of the mouth

Picture - damage caused by a double jointed bit

 

[Stroppy Mare]

Wow! I've always thought that double joints were better than single joints. I used to have a single jointed happy mouth but my horse at the time hated it, not sure if I still have it or whether I got rid.

 

[Walrus]

Myler mullen mouth is dressage legal and comes in a hanging cheek or just a normal fixed ring.

 

[Prince33Sp4rkle]

the myler is likely to get her to relax the jaw the most out of those mentioned

 

[webble]

Wow! I've always thought that double joints were better than single joints.

Me too I have made a point of buying them because I thought they were kinder. Hmmmm