Fell pony biting advice please

[rosie gall]

Hi, I have a Fell pony 15 yo, traditional, big and strong. I am an older rider and have not had much luck in finding him a suitable showing bit. He has been shown a lot but had about 4 years off.
He has a tiny smile, a large fleshy tongue and really narrow bars. Regular dental checks. I have a professional rider, due to my disabilities, but we need more brakes and wondered if there were any suitable bits that anyone might have used and had some success with? Probably ported and short shank? I should say I have tried a lot but he does like to stick his head down with his nose on his chest and tank in the canter!!

 

[tda]

Some won't agree but try a ported pelham

 

[gallopingby]

If you’ve a professional rider they should know about suitable bits?! Not a popular choice but some people resort to a Swales if things are difficult. Why not contact the people at the Bit Bank, they are good at advising for particular situations and you can have buts on trial before committing to purchase.

 

[Jambarissa]

In terms of motthpiece I like bomber happy tounge or beris ported.

Any shank bit is likely to encourage him to tuck his head even further, maybe a gag?

Windren have started doing a bit with changeable cheek pieces which I like the idea of.

I would say more schooling. I'm a bit alternative so would be teaching a one rein stop myself.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Goodness! I thought he'd started biting you!

Something of the right width with a low port to accommodate his fleshy tongue. I would look for a thin, rather than thick bit. NS have a choice of thicknesses in many of their bits.

 

[rosie gall]

Some won't agree but try a ported pelham

He does the same in the ported pelham!

 

[rosie gall]

If you’ve a professional rider they should know about suitable bits?! Not a popular choice but some people resort to a Swales if things are difficult. Why not contact the people at the Bit Bank, they are good at advising for particular situations and you can have buts on trial before committing to purchase.

Yes I am wondering about the Swales - which is why I thought I would ask opinion on options. The Swales does seem quite a big bit!!

 

[rosie gall]

In terms of motthpiece I like bomber happy tounge or beris ported.

Any shank bit is likely to encourage him to tuck his head even further, maybe a gag?

Windren have started doing a bit with changeable cheek pieces which I like the idea of.

I would say more schooling. I'm a bit alternative so would be teaching a one rein stop myself.

I did think a bomber might be an option. His mouth is so very small - unlike his ego! The Beris ported I will look up, thanks.

 

[rosie gall]

Goodness! I thought he'd started biting you!

Something of the right width with a low port to accommodate his fleshy tongue. I would look for a thin, rather than thick bit. NS have a choice of thicknesses in many of their bits.

It's an interesting phrase - Bitting - Biting!!

 

[Cortez]

Any reason why you haven't considered a double bridle? Or is that not considered the done thing for Fells?

 

[SEL]

He does the same in the ported pelham!

pelham with curb on two reins?

That stopped my Ardennes and he had a neck that was designed to pull tree trunks. He'd tuck in just like you describe and the french link he came with was useless. The pelham reminded him that I was on board and I'd say where we cantered.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Any reason why you haven't considered a double bridle? Or is that not considered the done thing for Fells?

Yes, they do wear them showing, but a few prefer to use a Pelham of various types, often a show rugby.

I'm baffled that the producer/pro hasn't suggested a bit.

For everyday, I use a bomber, usually a loose ring happy mouth snaffle (its metal right through) and for fast stuff the Elliptical b bomber in a 12mm
Showing on the current one, I use a Hartwell Pelham as this sits in her mouth just right and I only need a v light contact, I have used my double on many fell ponies previously tho.

 

[rosie gall]

Any reason why you haven't considered a double bridle? Or is that not considered the done thing for Fells?

I've seriously considered this option but dental advice was that given his mouth is so small, it might be too difficult for him to manage. I would prefer that because I can just use it for showing and then something simpler for hacking etc. Most of the Weymouth bits I see are quite thick, unless you know of a manufacturer that produces something thinner. Not easy if you can't actually trial the ones that are specially manufactured though!

 

[rosie gall]

Yes, they do wear them showing, but a few prefer to use a Pelham of various types, often a show rugby.

I'm baffled that the producer/pro hasn't suggested a bit.

For everyday, I use a bomber, usually a loose ring happy mouth snaffle (its metal right through) and for fast stuff the Elliptical b bomber in a 12mm
Showing on the current one, I use a Hartwell Pelham as this sits in her mouth just right and I only need a v light contact, I have used my double on many fell ponies previously tho.

Thanks for the info and help. In fairness we have tried about 15 different types from the myler to straight forward pelham, vulcanite version, different jointed ones, short and longer shank. We've even had a bit specialist who seemed unable to solve it?? General hacking is fine in the snaffle. He is unbalanced which doesn't help, but we are working on that but generally once in to Canter mode he's a bit of a train! My pro rider is an Equine Physio (17 years) so she knows her stuff and we've covered all of the issues it could be - apart from being unbalanced!).

 

[rosie gall]

pelham with curb on two reins?

That stopped my Ardennes and he had a neck that was designed to pull tree trunks. He'd tuck in just like you describe and the french link he came with was useless. The pelham reminded him that I was on board and I'd say where we cantered.

Thanks, yes he is ridden with two reins

 

[rosie gall]

Yes, they do wear them showing, but a few prefer to use a Pelham of various types, often a show rugby.

I'm baffled that the producer/pro hasn't suggested a bit.

For everyday, I use a bomber, usually a loose ring happy mouth snaffle (its metal right through) and for fast stuff the Elliptical b bomber in a 12mm
Showing on the current one, I use a Hartwell Pelham as this sits in her mouth just right and I only need a v light contact, I have used my double on many fell ponies previously tho.

Thanks Fuzzy for the information. I think I might try to Hartwell after looking in to it. It might just be the right solution given his mouth confirmation. Worth a try and not expensive ! Much appreciated.

 

[rosie gall]

Thanks Fuzzy for the information. I think I might try to Hartwell after looking in to it. It might just be the right solution given his mouth confirmation. Worth a try and not expensive ! Much appreciated.

Just asking one more question the Hartwell you use, is it the softer sweep shape that curves in towards the roof of the mouth, not the slightly ported one??

 

[catkin]

Another pelham which might be worth a look at is a Myler with a small wide port. The cheekpieces can move independantly so once you have both understood how it works then it can discourage the leaning.
Fellboy likes this bit very much.
I think the bit banks hire it out

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Just asking one more question the Hartwell you use, is it the softer sweep shape that curves in towards the roof of the mouth, not the slightly ported one??

It's the (proper) Hartwell that has the full curve in it.

 

[Fastasflames]

speak to fylde... ask them to make you a Dr Bristol with Wilkie cheeks Speaking from experience.

 

[rosie gall]

It's the (proper) Hartwell that has the full curve in it.

Thanks that's the one I like!

 

[rosie gall]

Another pelham which might be worth a look at is a Myler with a small wide port. The cheekpieces can move independantly so once you have both understood how it works then it can discourage the leaning.
Fellboy likes this bit very much.
I think the bit banks hire it out

Thanks, we have done every Myler but I still like it, just haven't found the one that fits his mouth yet I think.

 

[rosie gall]

speak to fylde... ask them to make you a Dr Bristol with Wilkie cheeks Speaking from experience.

Thanks yes, I had thought of them as they do tiny pony bits and pieces. I'll give them a ring

 

[Andie02]

Generally a jointed to lift, have you tried a double bridle ?

 

[rosie gall]

Generally a jointed to lift, have you tried a double bridle ?

That would be my first option - result - but I have been advised by several and the dentist he just doesn't have enough room to cope with two bits. Whatever it is needs to be pretty thin. Latest recommendation by Fylde a Waterford Wilkie, well the Wilkie bit could change to anything, it's to try him in the waterford link to see how he is??