Horse getting tongue over bit?

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Cash

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My TB tries (and often succeeds) to get his tongue over the bit. He mainly does it when schooling especially when he's in his 'la la la can't hear you' mode when he doesn't want to concentrate, is 'on his toes' and spooking :rolleyes: He will also occasionally try and do it when I first put the bridle on (he'll be playing with it in his mouth and trying to get his tongue over).
Is it a sign of discomfort? I'm not really sure why it would be, as he saw the dentist not long ago, his bit is fitted correctly and is definitely not strong- it's a happy mouth straight bar loose ring.
He wears a flash some of the time too and still seems able to do it?
 
Firstly is the bit high enough in his mouth and secondly, when he wears the flash, is it done up correctly, ie tight enough?
 
MOLLYA said:
Is it a sign of discomfort? I'm not really sure why it would be, as he saw the dentist not long ago, his bit is fitted correctly and is definitely not strong- it's a happy mouth straight bar loose ring.
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It could be. Have you tried him in a different bit? Perhaps he doesn't like the straight bar - and happy mouths are quite thick, so it could be that it just doesn't fit in his mouth very well.
 
Yea I think so, my instructor (who would definitely notice and let me know!) hasn't said anything, the bit makes two wrinkles at the edge of his mouth (which I think is correct?) and I can just about fit two fingers, no more, in between flash and his skin. Sound ok?
I might take a pic of him in his bridle tomorrow morn and put it on here so everyone can check. But i think it's alright?
 
milliepops- I haven't tried any other kind, his old owner (I've had him about 7 weeks) recommended the one I have, or said I could use a Nathe? Hadn't heard of a Nathe so went with happy mouth. What would you suggest?
 
Depends how he goes! You mentioned your instructor has had a look at your tack, perhaps they can suggest an alternative bit?

IMO Nathes are a bit nicer as they are softer and thinner in the mouth - I've yet to ride a horse that goes well in a HM but I gather plenty do ;) Nathes are quite pricey though.

Is there a reason that he doesn't go in a metal bit? I'd chat to your instructor but then see what you can borrow to try out. Perhaps he likes the HM but might prefer a jointed bit instead of straight bar? Impossible to say without seeing him :)
 
Doh, should have thought of that lol, no point you recommending bits for a horse you know nothing about :rolleyes:
Won't be seeing my instructor for 3 weeks unfortunately (my exams and her being away..) :(
No reason why he doesn't go in a metal bit as far as I'm aware.
He can (and frequently does!) go very nicely in the happy mouth...it's just when he throws his toys out of the pram and starts messing around with his bit. :rolleyes:
I'll ask around and see what I can find..I was thinking about trying a jointed loose ring with a lozenge, as the additional movement of the lozenge might make it more difficult to move his tongue over it? (Sorry if that's complete rubbish, I'm not a bit expert by any means!!).
 
A happy mouth straight bar (exactly the same as the one i have now) or a Nathe. Not sure if she tried anything else previous to settling with those two.
 
MOLLYA said:
Is it a sign of discomfort? I'm not really sure why it would be, as he saw the dentist not long ago, his bit is fitted correctly and is definitely not strong- it's a happy mouth straight bar loose ring.
He wears a flash some of the time too and still seems able to do it?
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In a word yes- hes uncomfortable. So he puts his tongue over to relieve the pressure. Being a loose ring it will rest on the tongue and because its a straight bar and relatively thick this wont help as if he tries to lift the tongue to relieve the pressure there wont be much room (if any) for the bit to lift before it touches the palate.

Putting a flash on will actually make him more uncomfortable as it decreases his chances of moving the bit to relieve the pressure.


He can (and frequently does!) go very nicely in the happy mouth...it's just when he throws his toys out of the pram and starts messing around with his bit.
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This is a classic sign tbh. He can only cope for so long before the pressure gets too much- hence his behaviour changes.

I think you need to change your bit!

i would advise trying a thin mouth french link/lozenge. :)
 
i tried a few bits with raff, and he put his tongue over all of them... i didn't want to put a flash on him, cos i was worried that it was discomfort and i didn't want to kind of seal the problem shut... so i tried a few different ones. the happy mouth was his worst bit. he chewed it to death and got his tongue over it. when it wasn't over and flapping it was bulging out of the side. so i thought perhaps i'd try something with tongue relief. i put him in a myler comfort thingy. instantly he stopped putting his tongue over as much (although still tried). i put it up a hole and he hasn't put it over since.

do you think your horse may just have a fat tongue that doesn't quite fit in there? does anyone on your yard have a bit with some tongue relief? i'd offer to lend you raff's myler whilst he's out of work, but my friend is borrowing it. her horse also loves it.

xxx
 
I had the same problem with our highland....he just didn't like his tongue being squashed. He went ok in a hanging cheek snaffle with a lozenge....but the best so far (touch wood) is a NS verbinend (sp?) which is a loose ring lozenged snaffle but the bit itself is curved and gives him loads of room.

He didn't like the straight bar bits at all....not enough room for him.
 
My lad can get his tongue over anything and a flash made him worse also. Ended up buying a tongue bit on ebay , its got two round plates on it . makes a world of difference to the concentration!!!!!!!!
 
Thanks for replies everyone. Will look into finding something thinner and jointed- probably an NS (poppymoo just found the one you were talking about on the NS website, looks like what I vaguely had in mind!) or maybe a Nathe. Will see what friends have and consult RI once she's back.

He doesn't have a particularly large/fat tongue (and he spends quite a lot of time sticking it out at me so I should know :rolleyes: )
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Thanks everyone!
 
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