help please

Shavings

Shavings

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 October 2011
Messages
2,082
Location
Middle of some where
Visit site
ok before i start I don't want any nasty comments or any one talking down to me, I am asking for help not to be made a fool!

I own a 4 year old TB gelding, who as of the last month is not keen on having a bit in his mouth!
I was concerned so had the dentist come out and check his mouth
found nothing and will be returning for his yearly check up in November.
His current bit is Happy Mouth Loose Ring Snaffle with Centre Roller Bit.
we have had a bridle on him with no bit and that is not and issue, the issue comes when the bit is added,
the bit IS the correct size (this has been checked by a number of people for my own piece of mind)
when ridden he opens his mouth quiet wide almost avoiding the bit, i have had a few people pass the comment
of "put a flash on" but i do not wish to just put a flash on to mask the problem!
he lunges and rides like a saint in his head collar, but becomes very grumpy (face pulling) and bucking (on lunge) when he has his bridle on
so can any one help?
any ideas welcome?
i do know that this is not a problem that will fix over night and the solution may be just to put a flash on, but i wanted to see what everyone
thinks first.
i have had a number of people say change his bit, but im unsure what to change it to!
 
Definitely try him in a bitless bridle, there are a number of different types of bridles available on the market to try, if you don't know anyone that has one that you could borrow, I'm pretty sure I saw synthetic ones on ebay that are cheap if you want something to just try him with without spending too much money at this stage.
 
You need to go back to basics and find some way of him associating something pleasant with the bit, and learning that the bit is okay to relax with. Smearing honey on it is one way (messy but works) or what we used to do when we were starting youngsters was offer them some fresh grass when the bit was in the mouth. That encourages them to chew and enjoy the sensation too - we used to leave them with it for a short while, with no other interaction, to get accustomed to the feel of it. Then you probably need to restart the training of how to accept and respond to pressure to find a release - if you don't understand what that means find an experienced horse person who can help.
A change to a bit made of another material (rubber or plastic) can help, and also a check to make sure it is the right shape to be comfortable for him - some horses hate the joint which can clip the roof of the mouth, and some have a thick tongue which needs a port to clear it.
 
This certainly sounds like a pain issue. Have you tried a Micklem Bridle? My friend's horse had problems with her trigeminal nerve and hated her bridle. The Micklem made a huge difference to her. You can use it with or without a bit.
 
Tbs can be sensitive around their poll , could be putting to much pressure on his poll when you add the bit , try using a head piece that is cut away around the poll see if that helps .
 
One of mine has bad associations with a bit because he was bitted with his huge and prominent wolf teeth in :(

He will only really accept a straight black nylon bit (the inhand ones) or a straight bar happy mouth bit

He is not as reactive as yours when the bridle is on though, I think I would be tempted to get a second opinion on the mouth and teeth
 
Roller snaffles are very severe on the tongue. I expect his tongue is sore and bruised. Try him in a bit that avoids tongue pressure. Avoid all rollers and lozenge bits. You could try him in a bomber bit (snaffle one with a port), or a myler.
 
In addition to the other suggestions, I'd also try changing the material of the bit. Happy mouth bits can cause rubbing on a dry mouthed horse and pull at the sensitive skin, I'd try plain stainless steel or a metal bit designed to encourage salivation, I've seen it make a huge difference on a few horses whose owners thought that the non metallic bits were the kindest.
 
I would get rid of the happy mouth they can cause a burning sensation for sensitive horses, I would try a sweet iron loose ring snaffle with a lozenge-make sure it is not attached in a way that makes it sit too high or low in the mouth and take the reins, brow band and nose band off the bridle-then introduce your horse to the new bit by holding a polo underneath the bit and waiting till he takes the bit and repeat repeat repeat until he takes the bit readily and which point pop the headpiece over his ears, give a second treat, then take it off and do the same again the next time until he readily accepts the bit-then put it on to turn out and bring in but don not attach the lead rope to it put a head collar over the top to turn out.
progress to lunging with the head piece and bit on but nothing attached to it, ride him in his head collar with the head piece and bit on too if you are happy to do so.
when he is happy with all this then put reins on and use reins and head collar together till he accepts the bit fully and understands what you are asking for when using the bit via the reins.
personally I only ever lunge rude bad mannered horses from the bit, never youngsters.
 
Little update in case any one is wondering
have taken away the happy mouth, currently in a loose ring French link
seems very happy in this, got some nice mouthing and we have even had a little lunge with no "fire works" to speak of!
so got on board, and although I don't think he "loves" this bit he is a lot happier in this then his old happy mouth
a couple of people have recommended neue schlue bits but I don't know a great deal on this, so if any one has any advice on them I would love to hear it!
I am off to horse of the year show a week on Saturday so will be looking at bits and speaking to as many people as possible to find my boy a bit he loves ! (who knows maybe end up bit less !)

but once again big thank you to every one who helped I was rather upset and ready to rip my hair out when posting this thread!
 
Risley Saddlery will be at HOYS with a big tradestand, they are really helpful people and they do sell the Harmony bit which is a very similar design to the NS Verbindend (different material though)
 
Claire-R said:
I'm so glad you said this! :) I would try one of these http://www.rideaway.co.uk/minos-version-harmony-curverd-mouth-french-bit just to see if it is the bit design? I like this bit as its shaped for the tongue, its gentle and its make of copper to help promote salivation.
Click to expand...

I was just going to suggest the exact same thing! Its a lovely bit and very similar to the Neue schule ones at a fraction of the price. - In fact I have the gag version and its indistinguishable from a friends Neue Schule that she paid a fortune for!
 
Give him the bit with I little bit of feed on your hand to encourage him I have seen it quite commonly in young horses. he will associate getting it with a little treat then and be quite happy to take the bit
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top