Happy mouth bits - is it just a case of suck it and see?

[Ranyhyn]

I've not used happy mouth bits before, but wondering what the plus points of them are and whether it's simply a case of seeing if your horse takes to it or not?

 

[Nugget La Poneh]

I personally have yet to see any plus points about them after using them on a couple of horses However I have seen other horses that seem to be perfectly happy in them. I would say suck it and see - although any reason in particular why you are using one?

 

[pinklilly]

Mines fussy in his mouth and currently in an NS snaffle and was thinking of trying a happy mouth but my dentist advised against it, he said the plastic gets tiny splinters in over time and was best sticking to the NS bit.

 

[Tnavas]

They are OK when new but if the horse is prone to chewing on the bit then the mouthpiece quickly becomes rough.

And then you get more problems!

 

[TandD]

I use a happy mouth straight bar bit. It a few years old now, and most likely doesn't taste of Apple any more, but it is the best bit my horse goes in!
I cant really give you any plus points of using one it's just the bit my horse likes in his mouth!

 

[Ranyhyn]

No particular reason, I just have to start somewhere with what I try with the horse. She's been existing on hand me downs so not really sure what she needs to start off, so wanted to start at the bottom and work up so was somehow convinced that these were very mild?

 

[khalswitz]

I hate the feel of them - but I hate the feel of any Mullen mouth. However I do know one horse who bit through their Happy Mouth, happened to be going ape at the time and absolutely terrifying situation. So has put me off.

Sweet iron/copper/ German silver all much warmer than ss bits and good alternatives.

 

[Goldenstar]

They don't work for me they are hard and often hurt the corners of the horses mouths .
If I want to try something like that I use a nathe .

 

[Lolita]

I use a happy mouth on one of mine and he definitely goes better in it. The only problem is you do have to check and replace them more often as if they are chewed they become very sharp

 

[Templebar]

The bit i have started my youngster in is a metal french link snaffle, it was what i had for my other horse, she seems happy with it and therefore i will stick with it. I will always try to stay with metal bits as i prefer the safety of them and the fact they dont change and wear as others do, also if they are used to metal, if/when you need to change the mouth piece you have so much to choose from.

Whereas if you start in Happy mouth but need a stronger bit then you may need to change to metal and that might be too much of a change for the horse.

 

[mirage]

When we bought knobberpony we were told that she had to have a straight bar Happy Mouth.After she chewed 2 so badly that they were making her mouth sore,in less than 3 months,I changed to a sweet iron french link.She loves it and tries to hold it in her mouth to suck it when I'm untacking her.She head tossed with the Happy Mouth [probably due to the rough chewed bits] but doesn't do it now.I'll stick to metal bits in future.

 

[khalswitz]

When we bought knobberpony we were told that she had to have a straight bar Happy Mouth.After she chewed 2 so badly that they were making her mouth sore,in less than 3 months,I changed to a sweet iron french link.She loves it and tries to hold it in her mouth to suck it when I'm untacking her.She head tossed with the Happy Mouth [probably due to the rough chewed bits] but doesn't do it now.I'll stick to metal bits in future.

My horse does this with a copper lozenge, it's lovely.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I had a happy mouth bit for my traddie boy - he seemed happy enough in it, however I did feel his mouth was rather "dry" in it and after changing to a metal bit I think he's much more moist in his mouth.

Wouldn't recommend Happy Mouth bits for this reason.