First bit? How long to adjust to it?

[ForeverBroke_]

Hello,

I am in the process of starting my youngster, and I've bitted him with a little rubber eggbutt snaffle - but he doesn't seem to have got over the initial 'mouthy,' phase. Not sure if he just doesn't like it - or whether I should try something else? What do you use?

 

[be positive]

Most don't really like rubber so I tend to use a metal bit that fits nicely rather than anything in particular, I think you need to swap about until you find something they settle with even if it does not always seem to be the right one in your mind, some like a thicker bit others prefer a thinner one but very few will like the feeling of dry rubber in their mouths.

 

[ForeverBroke_]

Ah, this does make sense. I was so worried about banging his teeth so went for the rubber, but I agree that it wouldn't be that pleasant in hindsight.

 

[Ossy2]

I’m probably old school but I always mouth youngsters in a mouthing bit. With the mouthing process you really want to be encouraging salivation while accepting and softening to the bit. I certainly wouldn’t use a rubber bit for this.

 

[VioletStripe]

I’m probably old school but I always mouth youngsters in a mouthing bit. With the mouthing process you really want to be encouraging salivation while accepting and softening the bit. I certainly wouldn’t use a rubber bit for this.

This. I would also usually start with a loose ring over an eggbutt. After a mouthing bit I would then go with a lozenge or french link for the same reason

 

[Leo Walker]

I hate mouthing bits with a passion! They are too big to be comfortable and can encourage them to have a fussy, busy mouth. I do the same as BP

 

[be positive]

I am old school but last used a mouthing bit so long ago I cannot remember when it was, certainly not this century things have moved on since those days, the choice is now so vast and most of us want to encourage a nice quiet mouth not have them fussing about with those horrid bits of metal on their tongue.