Hippus Bits, Demi Anky or Turnado - recommendations please

[maginn]

Hippus Bits, Demi Anky or Turnado - recommendations please

Also in stable management... sorry long !
Has anyone used these bits with success or have other suggestions ? I have a 4 yr old warmblood mare (just broken) who is very fussy in the mouth, I have gone through all of the bits in my collection, as well as trying Myler & NS.

All of my horses previously went happy in a french link so I have never had to deal with this before. She hates any type of lozenge bit and goes best in a standard snaffle with a hanging cheek. I thought that horses didn't like the nutctacker action of these ? In this bit she does open her mouth a lots and "chomps" on it, but it is 100% better than anything else so far, although it could also be that she is gradually getting used to being in a bit ?

I would like to try a hippus but they are so expensive with no guarantee of success, and I can't trace down anywhere in England or anywhere else for that matter where you can try before buying. My other thoughts are an NS demi anky (although they don't make these anymore hopefully I can get hold of one), or sprenger turnado (again expensive but may be able to get one on approval). These both look like a normal snafflle but have more tongue room. However I am wondering whether it is a palate problem rather than a tongue one. I tried her in a fulmer snaffle before the hanging cheek and she went nuts when it was in keepers and relaxed immediately I took it out of the keepers. I understand the action of the keepers lift the bit off the tongue but it would then presumably sit higher in the mouth possibly irritating the palate. I understand that young horses often have a lower palate ?

She had her teeth checked only about 6 weeks ago before I began riding her and I asked the dentist if she had any mouth conformation I ought to take into account and the only thing he said was that she ought to have a narrowish bit as she has a small narrow mouth. She is about 16.3hh and only takes a 5" bit.

I have got her in a standard caverson at the moment and do not want to shut her mouth at this stage, at least until I know she is more comfortable.

Suggestions very welcome.

Thanks

 

[KatB]

How thick is the bit she is in? Sonetimes thicker mouthpieces makes them fussier

Also, a hanging cheek would sit higher in her mouth. I really like the Hippus bits, and my last horse was backed in one

They are very narrow and take up very little room. Didnt like the Anky at all, try a JP snaffle for a cheaper option, which alot of horses find readily acceptible as they have the curved mouthpice. Have you tried something like a loose ring straightbar nathe?

 

[kerilli]

i've answered your other post in Stable Yard. if you change your settings to allow incoming pms i can reply to your pm!
the hippus is like a slightly-jointed mullen, because the joint is totally encapsulated in the mouthpiece (no lumps at all) it is very even and very kind. the joint is limited so has no real nutcracker action, it works more like a knee joint than an ankle joint (i.e. in 1 plane only, no swivel) hard to describe, but makes sense when you have 1 in your hands!
it is very kind and sensitive horses seem to really like it, fwiw. if you pm Cullohill on here, she's using one on her good eventer and her 4yr old welshie (who didn't like any other bit, she told me) and they are both going very well.

 

[millitiger]

i had a 4yro with a fussy mouth-
she went ok in the ported Myler but still wasn't really taking the contact forward and her mouth was usually about 1cm open- like she couldn't get her tongue comfortable.

i tried the Hippus and she was honestly a different horse in it. she was a little strong for a few days but i presume it was because she was so comfortable in it and after a few days she was great- light, soft, accepting but on a positive contact.

i actually gave it to her new owner when i sold her as she was so happy in it that i wanted to keep her in it.

i would recommend anyone to try them if your horse is fussy as it made a huge difference to my girl overnight.

 

[suzysparkle]

Well, I got a hippus (from Kerilli) and mine went well in it. However, I have since found he prefers one from the Hilary vernon range. It's unjointed, mullen and ported. The more I use it the more I realize it was the whole 'joint' thing he didn't like. The hippus worked well as it had the least effect on the tongue and the kindest joint. I have used a demi anky....the hippus is by far a better design. The turnado having seen it I'm not convinced....still say the hippus is better.
What I can't understand is the massive reaction to the fulmer with loops, but not the hanging cheek? Both hold the bit in a similar position. See, mine was forever opening his mouth....but this new bit has stopped this.
Actually, maybe it's because the hanging cheek rotates whereas the fulmer is more fixed??
Have you ever tried an unjointed bit? Even if you can only find a mullen pelham take the curb chain off and try it with one rein on the snaffle ring only. Hanging cheeks suspend the mouthpiece and reduce the tongue pressure. The majority of bit evasions are due to tongue pressure. Mine has a big tongue and very fleshy mouth. I would see if you can try and borrow an unjointed bit and make sure it has a curve to it (or even a small port).....and see how that goes. I reckon the reason so many Horses go so well in a pelham is because they don't like jointed bits. Even a french link has a nutcracker effect, allbeit reduced. If she still hates it then try a hippus. If you are really stuck pm me and you can try mine.

This is what I have. You can't tell from the pic but it is mullen (quite an exaggerated curve) as well as ported. Can also move up and down a bit.
http://www.risleysaddlery.co.uk/catalogu...vernon-dalehead