Help with bits please

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nix123

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A bit of background info...

13yrs warmblood, very good at sj now doing dressage. Averaging 63-65% in Prelim & Novice with comments of much to offer, less tension needed, when he comes a little softer/rounder, always get quietly ridden or well ridden. Is up to date with dentist, chiro, tack checks etc. He will try everything and anything to evade the bit. Sticks tongue out, crooked neck, leans, throws head in air you name it, then we have moments of sheer brilliance,:) and then its almost like he remembers and starts all over again.:mad: We have tried Happy mouth straight bar, (both nutcrackers & french links) loose rings, eggbut, hanging cheek, gag, myler MB02 & MB43LP, even a waterford. I just need to find a bit that suits him any ideas??

He is in sound body & mind and in NO pain what so ever.

Thanks for reading this far
 
I had one that stuck tongue out, poked nose and got quite silly. His steering was also a bit iffy (and still is). We ended up in a hanging cheek, sweet iron with lozenge. The hanging cheek helps with steering, and holds the bit quite steady in his mouth off the tongue and bars. It's a mild bit, so he could tank through it if he tried, but the taste helps him soften, and encourages him to mouth it rather than trying to get his tongue over it.

He still very occasionally pops his tongue over it, but it's once every 2-3 months, rather than all the time, and he corrects himself if you give him the rein for a second. Nose-poking and leaning has stopped altogether and he spends most of his time dropped into a nice outline. We only hack, so I'm not looking for dressage points, but I do want a happy horse.
 
Ive also got a hanging cheek with lozenge and my newish very on the forehand boy is much happier in it than his old French link - sometimes we even achieve lightness in front!
 
Very interested in this thread as Im having similar problems with my mare,the bit she is happiest in was a D ring copper roller but because it was quite severe I changed it back to a happy mouth straight bar,I now have no brakes or much control,she was very light in the D ring im tempted to go back to that but dont want to damage her with a severe bit. So having a bit of a quandry atm.
 
helbe said:
Very interested in this thread as Im having similar problems with my mare,the bit she is happiest in was a D ring copper roller but because it was quite severe I changed it back to a happy mouth straight bar,I now have no brakes or much control,she was very light in the D ring im tempted to go back to that but dont want to damage her with a severe bit. So having a bit of a quandry atm.
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There is a big difference between the 2 bits you have used, try something in between a french link, a lozenge or a peanut would give you more control than the happy mouth but less strong, and dressage legal, than the copper roller.

For the OP your horse may be one to try a Micklem on, it may not be changing the the bit but how it sits in the mouth, a drop noseband may help or a Nathe which is thinner and softer than a happy mouth and gives a better feel.
 
nix123 said:
I had a look at them and tried to contact the bit bank for advice, no avail tho :( So still would like someoone to help.....anyone??
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Neue schule is just a copper alloy. There are alot of other bits with copper /sweet iron / german steel, all of which will give a similar 'taste' without such a hit to the wallet!

I've tried both, and mine seem to like the sweet iron / copper combo. Does rust though, so not for fussy owner (horses couldn't care less how it looks!)
 
you are going to hate me BUT, one of my DWB hates bits, he sj and schools in a german hackamore, doing half passes, beautifully balanced etc, such a shame but thats the way it is. No reason for it, teeth checked and fine, goes best in a straight bar hanging cheek when i have to use a bit (dressage) but nowhere as good as when bit free. Probably not what you wanted to hear!
 
pennyturner said:
Neue schule is just a copper alloy.

I didn't know that penny. I've been looking at the vernbindend type, dont like the price much tho. I dug deep into my boxes and found a loose ring, french link type with a losenge looking thing which is a brass/goldish colour, god knows what it is but we had a go in it. He wasn't too bad so i might give it a go for now.
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If he used to jump and now only does dressage, it might be that he is getting bored of all the schooling and you might need to mix up your training a bit.
 
If you haven't already it might be worth trying a sprenger turnado. They are quite different to anything else. You can buy them in stainless steel instead of aurigan - significantly cheaper. Dressage deluxe have them (at least that's where I got mine). Mine is very fussy with his tongue and sticks it out with every other bit I've tried (apart from his normal bit which isn't a dressage legal one).
The other thought would be a hippus bit but they are really pricey. I don't think anywhere trials them.
 
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