Horse not overly happy with bridle/ bit combo

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chestnuttyy

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My TB is a very sensitive boy and he's never seemed 100% happy with his bridle/ bit and is often reluctant to accept contact. Teeth have been checked by 2 dentists and a vet and deemed fine. Back has been checked by physio and also deemed fine. I school with a light contact, aiming to get him to work from the leg up to the hand, but he just doesn't seem happy with his head!

I just wondered whether a Micklem might suit him as its supposedly designed around 'comfort'?

He's currently ridden in a plain comfort caveson bridle. The noseband is a crank but only done up relatively loosely, I more use it for the nice padding!

In addition I was wondering if perhaps his bit isn't quite right? Currently schooled in a NS trans loose ring or a loose ring KK ultra (a really fat one)

Any suggestions very welcome! X
 
You dont say which bit you use. I have heard mixed reports about the Micklem. All horses are different so what works for one might not for another. It does seem a bit on the expensive side to go rushing into. My tb was most happiest in just a normal cavason bridle (the really soft padded sort) and a happy mouth straight bar, as its slim it didn't interfere with his mouth. He was very soft in his mouth.
 
Yeah I hate the crack noseband, but I was under the impression if done up to the same pressure as a normal cavesson it wasn't much different? His is pretty loose
 
Maybe he doesn't like the fat bit? Tbs don't really have very big mouths, thinner might be better. Or ride bitless. Or take the noseband off. Or eat some poo.
 
I would change the bit for thinner one. NS do a choice of thicknesses. Your EDT should be able to give you some guidance about the horse's mouth confo. Some horse don't like padding on their bridles either. Does he have a padded head-piece/browband as well? I've found that horses often need a longer browband than you would expect, in order to feel comfortable.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I would change the bit for thinner one. NS do a choice of thicknesses. Your EDT should be able to give you some guidance about the horse's mouth confo. Some horse don't like padding on their bridles either. Does he have a padded head-piece/browband as well? I've found that horses often need a longer browband than you would expect, in order to feel comfortable.
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Thanks. His NS is quite thin and some days he's better in it than the fatter KK, other days he isn't. Now I'm being thick but what did you mean by EDT? No good with acronyms!!

He does have a padded headpiece but his browband is large on him, so no pressure there.
 
chestnuttyy said:
Thanks. His NS is quite thin and some days he's better in it than the fatter KK, other days he isn't. Now I'm being thick but what did you mean by EDT? No good with acronyms!!

He does have a padded headpiece but his browband is large on him, so no pressure there.
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EDT is the equine dental technician. I would ditch the padding on everything and depending on how large the browband is, find a smaller one which doesn't flop around (if yours does). Is your NS bit the thinnest that they do?
 
When you say he's not accepting the contact, OP what exactly is he doing? seems a bit premature to be recommending new bridles etc without a few more details of the actual problem you're having ;)
 
milliepops said:
When you say he's not accepting the contact, OP what exactly is he doing? seems a bit premature to be recommending new bridles etc without a few more details of the actual problem you're having ;)
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Apologies, you're quite right! Basically, ill gently ask him to go forwards into a contact with my leg (no yanky hands) and he will do it momentarily, then up goes the head. Ask him again and he gets more and more tense. The tension/ unhappiness seems to be coming from his head and I really don't want to force him onto the bit because as we know that's not correct. I'm just racking my brains as to whether a change of tack may help... Of course it could also just be a case of more and more schooling!! I'm under no illusion that changing a bit or bridle will solve all our problems, I just want him to be comfortable :)
 
Pearlsasinger said:
EDT is the equine dental technician. I would ditch the padding on everything and depending on how large the browband is, find a smaller one which doesn't flop around (if yours does). Is your NS bit the thinnest that they do?
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Thanks, have contacted the EDT!

Now I was pretty sure my bit was a NS tranz angled lozenge loose ring (16mm at a guess) but having just looked on the bit bank it might actually be the team up bit :s hmmm.

Brow band not big enough to flop about, just not tight. Will try a plain cavesson bridle and see if tht helps :)
 
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