First bit - advice please

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Happytohack

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We are just getting Tilly started - she is 4, 14.2 coloured cob and built like a tank
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. So far she has accepted everything happily - roller, long lines, bridle, bit, saddle. But I am confused about which bit to actually get for her - the person helping me with her swears by myler bits. We have measured her and she would take a 5.5". All you peeps who are experienced with youngsters - please help!
 
i think you realy cant go wrong with a french link with cheeks to start with. thats what i like to use for my youngsters to start with. the cheeks wil help loads with steering. being a cob she may go better in a french link but i personaly would use fixed rings til she gets used to the bit .
 
full-cheek with keepers (keeps bit still, can't slide from side to side or rotate) with a single-jointed mouthpiece, would be my recommendation. start with a cavesson noseband and if she opens her mouth to evade, then use a comfy (not tight) drop noseband, fitted high enough (4 fingers' width above top of nostril.)
just mho anyway. a lot cheaper than a myler for starters, too.
 
umm, happy mouths make for very sore mouths on a lot of horses. metal slides across skin, plastic snags. try the crook-of-the-arm test with a happy mouth bit if you don't believe me.
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it's one of the last things i'd put in a previously-unbitted mouth.
 
The Sprengers and NS are very good for strting youngsters as the metal is softer and warmer than your average Stainless Steel.

I presonally like the NS Training Lozenge with full cheeks.

Try Shop4bits they are very helpful
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agreed, but i find the matel snags too unless theres plenty of spit on it. have to say i always use vaseline on the bit and mouth. and make sure happy mouth writing is to the front.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The Sprengers and NS are very good for strting youngsters as the metal is softer and warmer than your average Stainless Steel.

I presonally like the NS Training Lozenge with full cheeks.

Try Shop4bits they are very helpful
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Totally agree and double jointed bits give more tongue room (especially important for cobby types).
 
Have a look at your horses mouth conformation - very often cobs have a thick tongue, which you can see bulging out the sides between the teeth. If she's like this, don't have too thick a bit, and I personally would go for a french link rather than a single joint as it wraps around the tongue.
 
oh J - you ve started then! thought you were just bluffing!!!!
good luck im sure she will be a cracking pony when you ve done!
dont excpect ill see you until agm x
 
I've always used a French link with full-cheeks and keepers, Fudge wears a NS Training Lozenge with full cheeks as he is still green and this seems to suit him well.
 
I started Chancer with a full cheek key bit and then went to a copper french link full cheek snaffle.

He is now ridden in a loose ring copper snaffle with a peanut joint which he really likes.

If you think she will take a 5" I could lend you my two starting bits.

Found my gypsy mare did not get on with the myler at all and went best in a french link hanging cheek snaffle which Chancer may end up in for dressage.
 
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