Horse with fussy mouth in contact

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sanjo

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Hi, I have tried many bits over the years in an attempt to help my 11 yr old ISH relax in his mouth and be as comfortable as possible. The issue of his tongue wanging around comes up again and again in dressage tests while eventing. I am looking at the Bomber DC dressage Happy Tongue Swivel, although he is already in a Bomber Happy Tongue (with chomping and tongue wanging still, albeit a bit improved).

Has anyone tried this bit? Or better still, got any revolutionary ideas for a bit to try that will settle him in his mouth? He is not strong on the flat, we have gone milder and milder as the years progress. Just want to help him as he is a very genuine horse who aims to please.
 
Have you tried a nathe? My guy (also in a Happy Tongue and very unsettled in the mouth) loves them. Unfortunately, he also bites through them in 2 days and that gets a bit expensive ?.
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ycbm said:
Have you tried a nathe? My guy (also in a Happy Tongue and very unsettled in the mouth) loves them. Unfortunately, he also bites through them in 2 days and that gets a bit expensive ?.
.
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Thanks for this - so how can you avoid him biting through them?!
 
I would recommend a Lantra qualified fitter over Bit fit. No comparison in the level of training and I know people who have done both.

https://nsbits.com/bit-fitter

This will help you find one. You can try a myriad of bits and get it done in one afternoon with your trainer there as well if you find that helpful. Stops the guesswork.
 
I also recommend the bit fit consultation. Our local fitter also did the Lantra training.
I saw on one of those ‘is your horse in pain’ posters that tongue lolling can be pain.
 
milliepops said:
I went to a talk with a horse bit fit consultant and she went on about the Lantra training they do?
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I am guessing this is the difference - my friend studied for over 18 months and had to do a fair bit of studying for it for the advanced level.

FUNDAMENTALS OF BITS AND BITTING


FOUNDATION*
An introductory course open to all with an interest in the subject of bits and bitting. This course is intended to introduce the basics of bits and bitting by covering its history and delving into the materials used in the design and manufacture of bits. We then invite you to take a look inside the horse’s mouth, giving insight into size and dimensions before culminating in the distribution of forces on the mouth and the action of various classes of bits and putting to rest some common misconceptions through basic science.


INTERMEDIATE (Lorinery Science)
The intermediate course gives a more detailed look at the science behind bitting by taking a closer look at the forces applied with different bits and what is pressing on the horse’s tongue. You will start to categorise bits depending on their design and action. Building on knowledge gained in the foundation course, covering equine mouth anatomy and some basic physical principles, this course develops your scientific understanding of the bit and its action in the mouth.


BITTING ANALYST**
The aim of this advanced level course is to enable you to assess a bitting situation based on measurements and observations of the horse’s bit and mouth. The course will comprise of several case studies, following an observational checklist, which will result in careful analysis of the various angles of relevance studied in the previous topics. A must for trainers and anyone seeking to learn more about how bits and training aids act on the horse.

*You will need to successfully complete the foundation course to progress to the intermediate course and both the foundation and intermediate courses must be completed to Merit standard to advance to the Bitting Analyst course. There are no academic entry requirements for the Foundation course. The courses are graded through online examination and submission of case studies.
**No Lantra option available
 
I would agree with LEC. I had a bitfit consultant out and didn't really feel like I had our issues solved. A little while later I went with a Lantra qualified consultant and found the whole process a lot more thorough, with a better end result
 
that's interesting. However I shied away from an NS specialist because I (perhaps mistakenly?) assumed they would only have NS bits to try whereas the HBF one had all brands. and ultimately the horse is the best feedback to me! I haven't booked anyone yet because covid struck and derailed all my plans.
 
milliepops said:
that's interesting. However I shied away from an NS specialist because I (perhaps mistakenly?) assumed they would only have NS bits to try whereas the HBF one had all brands. and ultimately the horse is the best feedback to me! I haven't booked anyone yet because covid struck and derailed all my plans.
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The woman that came out to me did have a wide selection of NS bits to try, but equally she also had an array of other branded bits, she didn't seem to show a preference.

I actually ended up with a NS bit as that's what nag told me liked, but I didn't get the impression it would have been a problem if not.
 
The late lovely Mr B had contact issues and the Bit Fit consultant was excellent, sadly having found a bit he liked I lost him to colic. I got them out to Rose and she's very happy in her mouth now. Speak as I find!
 
milliepops said:
that's interesting. However I shied away from an NS specialist because I (perhaps mistakenly?) assumed they would only have NS bits to try whereas the HBF one had all brands. and ultimately the horse is the best feedback to me! I haven't booked anyone yet because covid struck and derailed all my plans.
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my friend has a very wide range and spends quite a lot investing. She does have a fair bit of NS but so did bit fit. My friend has the sensor for contact and to check the riders contact which is a cool gadget.
 
oldie48 said:
The late lovely Mr B had contact issues and the Bit Fit consultant was excellent, sadly having found a bit he liked I lost him to colic. I got them out to Rose and she's very happy in her mouth now. Speak as I find!
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How is Rose?
 
mule said:
How is Rose?
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She is going really well, thanks. Sent her away to be brought back into work for me post lockdown and everything was going great but annoyingly I've developed a stubborn Atrial fibrillation which is really affecting my ability to school, still managing short periods and can hack but that's all ATM. Long term, I'm hoping that something will control it properly as I am constantly shattered! Really lucky to have a brill team around me who are helping me to keep her going, she could go out and do a decent AM test with a better rider than I am though!
 
oldie48 said:
She is going really well, thanks. Sent her away to be brought back into work for me post lockdown and everything was going great but annoyingly I've developed a stubborn Atrial fibrillation which is really affecting my ability to school, still managing short periods and can hack but that's all ATM. Long term, I'm hoping that something will control it properly as I am constantly shattered! Really lucky to have a brill team around me who are helping me to keep her going, she could go out and do a decent AM test with a better rider than I am though!
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hope you get sorted soon and back on the road.
 
oldie48 said:
She is going really well, thanks. Sent her away to be brought back into work for me post lockdown and everything was going great but annoyingly I've developed a stubborn Atrial fibrillation which is really affecting my ability to school, still managing short periods and can hack but that's all ATM. Long term, I'm hoping that something will control it properly as I am constantly shattered! Really lucky to have a brill team around me who are helping me to keep her going, she could go out and do a decent AM test with a better rider than I am though!
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I'm sorry about your health problems. It must be very difficult. I'm glad Rose is well :)
 
My mare was in the happy tongue with similar chomping and yawning - thought the dc swivel would be a good option to try.... It wasn't. She hated it and I couldn't take a contact at all. We're now having tentatively better results in a Trust medium ported D ring snaffle and a Collegiate anatomic bridle. There is less bar pressure as the angle of the port isn't as sharp, and the anatomic noseband helps give support and stillness without causing issues with teeth and jaw.
 
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