Has my horse got a fat tongue?

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hannabanana

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Heres some pics of my horses mouth, sorry if there rubbish, he was getting impatient with me :P. I am wondering if my bit is too thick because he always chews through the rubber within weeks. Please excuse the manky bit, I had to rummage for a bit that wasnt chewed!! And stupid question but what is meant by a flat pallet???

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I'm no expert but if he's comfortable and happy and working well in the bit he has now, why change for a thinner one? Thinner bits on the whole tend to be harsher because they take up less of a surface area etc. He's probably chewing through the rubber because he's munching on the bit while riding, something which some trainers encourage horses to do so they play with the bit and produce more saliva. If you're finding it annoying because he chews through them so quickly, maybe switch to a harder kind of rubber? Just a thought xx
 
VioletStripe said:
I'm no expert but if he's comfortable and happy and working well in the bit he has now, why change for a thinner one? Thinner bits on the whole tend to be harsher because they take up less of a surface area etc. He's probably chewing through the rubber because he's munching on the bit while riding, something which some trainers encourage horses to do so they play with the bit and produce more saliva. If you're finding it annoying because he chews through them so quickly, maybe switch to a harder kind of rubber? Just a thought xx
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If he is chewing the bit, he is telling you that he is uncomfortable, there is a difference between mouthing enough to soften and produce saliva and chewing the bit, so that it is spoiled. Has he seen a dentist recently? If so, his discomfort is almost bound to be caused by the bit! He certainly does look to have a thick tongue, which means that there isn't much room between the tongue and the palate. He would probably be more comfortable in a thinner bit. My IDx likes her PeeWee bit which is a very thin sweet-iron bit. Neue Schule make their bits in a choice of thicknesses.
 
Binky01 said:
Yep, got a pretty full mouth there!

What bit is he in currently?
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He is in a rubber jointed eggbutt snaffle. If you have read my previous bit posts you will realise I am having difficulty choosing bits, im thinking french link, but I dont think you can get a rubber french link? Haven't really had time to have a good browse on the internet

Pearlsasinger said:
If he is chewing the bit, he is telling you that he is uncomfortable, there is a difference between mouthing enough to soften and produce saliva and chewing the bit, so that it is spoiled. Has he seen a dentist recently? If so, his discomfort is almost bound to be caused by the bit! He certainly does look to have a thick tongue, which means that there isn't much room between the tongue and the palate. He would probably be more comfortable in a thinner bit. My IDx likes her PeeWee bit which is a very thin sweet-iron bit. Neue Schule make their bits in a choice of thicknesses.
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Thats what I thought, im light handed anyway, but his mouth is really sensitive, which is why I was considering the french link possibly sweet iron or a lozenge one. but im stuck wether to get a thin one...so it fits his fat tongue or to stick with the thick one because thicker ones tend to be milder. He doesnt produce saliva froth, never has. And yes dentist was out not so long ago, said his teeth are fine. So it must be the bit.
 
Binky01 said:
Or a Sam Marsh mouthpiece :) Be surprised how many like them!
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Just googled a sam marsh, I think a pelham will be too harsh, it says its sfor strong horses that lean on the bit, which isnt my horsey :(. Mine has the softest mouth ever, and he doesnt lean on the bit, so likely to not be suitable. Thanks anywhoo
 
hannabanana said:
He is in a rubber jointed eggbutt snaffle. If you have read my previous bit posts you will realise I am having difficulty choosing bits, im thinking french link, but I dont think you can get a rubber french link? Haven't really had time to have a good browse on the internet



Thats what I thought, im light handed anyway, but his mouth is really sensitive, which is why I was considering the french link possibly sweet iron or a lozenge one. but im stuck wether to get a thin one...so it fits his fat tongue or to stick with the thick one because thicker ones tend to be milder. He doesnt produce saliva froth, never has. And yes dentist was out not so long ago, said his teeth are fine. So it must be the bit.
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Actually although the PeeWee looks quite horrific with a very thin mouthpiece (the thinnest I've ever seen), horses with large tongues really like and respond well, no matter how sensitive their mouths are. If you have good hands and can keep a consistent light contact, you should be fine with a thinner mouthpiece. It isn't true that all horses are more comfortable in a thicker bit because although they have a bigger surface to bear the distribute the pressure, they also force the horses mouth open or trap its tongue or poke the soft palate. Try a few from a bit-bank to see which your horse prefers. You'll soon be able to tell.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
Actually although the PeeWee looks quite horrific with a very thin mouthpiece (the thinnest I've ever seen), horses with large tongues really like and respond well, no matter how sensitive their mouths are. If you have good hands and can keep a consistent light contact, you should be fine with a thinner mouthpiece. It isn't true that all horses are more comfortable in a thicker bit because although they have a bigger surface to bear the distribute the pressure, they also force the horses mouth open or trap its tongue or poke the soft palate. Try a few from a bit-bank to see which your horse prefers. You'll soon be able to tell.
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Wow that is a thin bit :P, I have light contact, but my hands bounce when he starts head bobbing...which he responds to:o. But I am thinking I will put a balance strap on the saddle which my thumbs hook on to and flexi reins too. I think my best option is the bit bank for me :)
 
I can second the Myler because my YO has an Irish Draught mare with a fat tongue. She has the eggbut Myler with a roller type thing in the middle because she was previously in a happy mouth with a peanut and she destroyed it in 2 rides, mainly because she likes to get the bit between her teeth and tank off! There was recently a report about Mylers and how they sit very well in the mouth and on the head of the horse.. anyway, sorry to ramble on :) xx
 
My pony has a big fat tongue, and for a while i thought it was just me, but in the process of "breaking" him, have figured out he does have a very fat tongue. Trying to find a bit to suit is horrible, as he needs a skinny, but one that is not severe, as he is not strong. Any advice that you get, please pass it on, I'd be delighted.
 
Can't recommend the myler ported snaffle enough (no 3?)- my fat tongued boy is very happy in it. Google Myler and have a chat to the lady in Cumbria whose name comes up on the page - she runs a Myler bit bank.
 
I think I may be going against the grain in saying this but this is just my experiance!!

My horse has a very large tongue, in fact so large we find he often bites it by accident when eating, (ive had vets and dentist opinion, and its just he has a big tongue, little they can do about it!)

Anyway, I find that he goes best in a rubber pelham or a rubber straightbar snaffle (that is very thick). It took me over a year to find the right bit, but since using either I have had no problem and he is very very comfortable in his mouth. He could no abide bits that were either jointed or metal!

Anyway just a suggestion to throw into the pot! :)
All horses have different preferences anyway so you'll just have to fiddle around a bit (within reason)!

Since your horse bites through the rubber have you tried vulcanite bits?
 
chestnuttymare said:
the myler ported comfort snaffles aren't severe (any bit is severe in harsh hands), it gives the tongue more room. great for fat tongues. my very soft mouthed tb likes hers :D
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VioletStripe said:
I can second the Myler because my YO has an Irish Draught mare with a fat tongue. She has the eggbut Myler with a roller type thing in the middle because she was previously in a happy mouth with a peanut and she destroyed it in 2 rides, mainly because she likes to get the bit between her teeth and tank off! There was recently a report about Mylers and how they sit very well in the mouth and on the head of the horse.. anyway, sorry to ramble on :) xx
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Well the myler looks popular! I was actually looking at the happy mouth with the peanut, it looks good, I wasnt sure if it would be too thin, but I think thats because i'm too used to seeing thick bits :P!.

pootleperkin said:
Can't recommend the myler ported snaffle enough (no 3?)- my fat tongued boy is very happy in it. Google Myler and have a chat to the lady in Cumbria whose name comes up on the page - she runs a Myler bit bank.
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OOH! thankyou, I shall google her and the myler when I get the time today. Thanks for the recommendations guys.

LizzyandToddy said:
I think I may be going against the grain in saying this but this is just my experiance!!

My horse has a very large tongue, in fact so large we find he often bites it by accident when eating, (ive had vets and dentist opinion, and its just he has a big tongue, little they can do about it!)

Anyway, I find that he goes best in a rubber pelham or a rubber straightbar snaffle (that is very thick). It took me over a year to find the right bit, but since using either I have had no problem and he is very very comfortable in his mouth. He could no abide bits that were either jointed or metal!

Anyway just a suggestion to throw into the pot! :)
All horses have different preferences anyway so you'll just have to fiddle around a bit (within reason)!

Since your horse bites through the rubber have you tried vulcanite bits?
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I haven't tried the vulcanite but thats supposed to be a harder rubber isn't it? Im sure my horse could chew through steel, constantly chewing his bits :P
 
Myler Comfort snaffle. Brilliant bit for thick tongued horses. I have my big cob in one of these (an MB 04) for all disciplines from hacking to hunting. She's got a wonderfully sensitive mouth and I aim to keep it that way. Do Google and read, but also phone and speak to the bit lady Patricia, she's so accomodating and knowledgable and she runs a bit trial service for a try before you buy.
 
Just looked at a myler bit bank, and on the contact it has a lady from cumbria called
P------- B----- (not sure if i'm aloud to name on here?). So I think thats the one you were talking about pookleberkin. Sounds like a fair deal! Its £5.00 hire and 5.50 p&p for 3 weeks, and you can either swap it, keep it or get a refund..which I think is a bargain!
 
Also, if you were to put rubber gaurds on a loose ring; will it require an exra 1/2 an inch on the usual size on each side of the bit to make room for the gaurds? Anyone know?
 
yup, that looks like a pretty full mouth.
a flat palate means that there isn't much room for his tongue between the top and bottom jaws. you know the hard bit at the top of your mouth is probably quite domed... imagine if it was flatter, and someone put a bit in your outh, you'd have nowhere for your tongue!
I'd try a myler if you can!
 
Ahh thanks jenhunt, I understand now, well the roof of his mouth doesnt seem to be very domed. When I started reading things about fat tongues and flat palattes I was totally confuzzled, but I get it now
 
Definitely worth trialling the Myler before you buy. My DWB has a thick tongue and shallow palate and I bought him a Myler Comfort Snaffle which he absolutely hated (kept plunging with it in), so I changed him to a 16mm KK Ultra and haven't looked back.

I have my Oldenburg in a NS Tranz Lozenge snaffle and he's very happy also.

My pet hate are single jointed snaffles on thick tongued, shallow palate horses, they can easily get poked in the mouth by the single joint and suffer from the nutcracker action.
 
QUOTE=Cluny;8813607]Definitely worth trialling the Myler before you buy. My DWB has a thick tongue and shallow palate and I bought him a Myler Comfort Snaffle which he absolutely hated (kept plunging with it in), so I changed him to a 16mm KK Ultra and haven't looked back.

I have my Oldenburg in a NS Tranz Lozenge snaffle and he's very happy also.

My pet hate are single jointed snaffles on thick tongued, shallow palate horses, they can easily get poked in the mouth by the single joint and suffer from the nutcracker action.[/QUOTE]

Yes, I think I should try the bit bank, im sure my friend has a myler (save me on p&p and hire cost:rolleyes:), I will ask if I could try that out then if if that doesnt work I will contact the bit bank and hire from there.

He sorry Cluny I am guilty of that, but to be fair until now I had no idea about all these types of bits and how thick tongues can affect things.:rolleyes: Guess we're all still learning
 
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