Horse with mouth scarring, are bits out the question?

[Izzwall]

I have the most sweetest 6 year old tb gelding who's been fussy with his mouth since I got him almost 3 years ago straight from racing. Last year when having his teeth done, my dentist noticed some quite bad scarring on the inside righthand side where the bit would sit. It was quite uncomfortable when the dentist put pressure on it and he thinks someone either has been very heavy handed with him or he's stepped on his reins when in training. So sad as he is the kindest horse! Over the past year we've tried a number of curved mouth pieces and he seemed to like the neue schule verdibend. Our riding routine was cut short last year due to him going lame with his feet and then I badly broke my foot so only tried him a handful of times in it. I've finally been back riding the last few weeks and he isn't happy at all with the neue schule anymore. I've tried another more flexible curved mouth piece which he's a bit happier in but not when taking up a decent contact.
I had the dentist again today and the scarring is still sensitive to touch, if anything he's more reactive to it. Is there a bit out there that would provide minimal discomfort in this area? Or will he never be comfortable in a bit?

When bringing him back into work as a 4 year old after he had some down time I rode him in a rope halter for a few months which he responded to very well. Though fast work was a bit of an issue! I am contemplating taking him bitless again but perhaps in something a little more stronger than my rope halter bridle?
Any ideas?

 

[sbloom]

You could consult a good bitting consultant but there are tons of bitless options all of which would give you more control than a rope halter.

 

[JBM]

I’d say try bitless if he’s more comfortable that way
You can get bitless bridles that still give you good control. If he’s good in a halter should be no problem to him
i show jumped my girl bitless before she retired
Rode the exact same.
Will bow her head for me to but the bitless bridle on but will put her head way up in the air if she sees a bit coming

 

[Highmileagecob]

Another bitless rider here. I switched to a Dr Cook type cross under for a piebald cob with strong opinions. After half an hour in the paddock he worked out the aids and we never looked back. You are only exchanging pressure in the mouth for pressure around the head, and once that is established.....enjoy!

 

[JBM]

I use the nalanta bitless bridle has two places to attach the reins for more or less pressure

 

[Izzwall]

Has anyone tried the transcend bridle? I tried the Dr cooks one years ago on my past welshie and she wasn't a fan, I didn't like the slow release of it either. I've got an English hackamore to try but wonder if it may be a bit too severe for him. He did respond really nicely to the rope halter, plus I love riding in it! The pressure and release is instant which I like. My mare has been wearing it since a 5 year old but now at age 13 has decided she likes a bit now! Hence the question about bits, there's so much selection nowadays compared to when I used to regularly use them 10+ years ago.

I use the nalanta bitless bridle has two places to attach the reins for more or less pressure

That's a beautiful bridle! I think the nose piece would suit him and I like the sound of adjusting the pressure, will give them a look up!

 

[Goldenstar]

I have been through this with a young ID I bought who had been used as a hireling .
my physio lasered the scar it made a massive difference .

 

[Red-1]

I am actually a fan of the English hackamore. Even been hunting in it, as well as BS. It is only as strong as the person on the other end of the reins and has a pretty instantaneous release.

I would give it a go before spending any more £££s. It just seems to have fallen out of favour for being metal!

 

[Fransurrey]

Has anyone tried the transcend bridle?

I have a Transcend. The quality is amazing, although I'm not sure I'll ever need the curb rein - I was clearly feeling ambitious when I bought it! Plas Equestrian do a similar (and I think cheaper) one that is just as good with regards to quality. If you want to try multiple options, consider the Matrix, as the higher spec model comes with all the different attachments.

 

[soloequestrian]

I have Transcends too. My gelding goes in the plain side-cue and my mare has the double though most of the time I just have the curb clipped up. I use these to school but I'm not brave enough to hack in them so have English hackamores for both then.
I did try my mare in a scrawbrig a long time ago and she hated it. As soon as I put the hackamore on she seemed to understand it and has always been happy in it, and the Transcend was the same. Worth trying a few different types if you do go bitless. I've really gone off bits in recent years - they seem very invasive whereas the bitless bridles just sit there doing nothing until you need them!

 

[MuddyMonster]

If he goes well in a rope halter you could try something like the Orbitless or Flower hackable as it gives you lots of options. You can use it as a sidepull which would be similiar to a halter but you could change the setting if you need a little more.

 

[queenarmadillo]

Has anyone tried the transcend bridle? I tried the Dr cooks one years ago on my past welshie and she wasn't a fan, I didn't like the slow release of it either. I've got an English hackamore to try but wonder if it may be a bit too severe for him. He did respond really nicely to the rope halter, plus I love riding in it! The pressure and release is instant which I like. My mare has been wearing it since a 5 year old but now at age 13 has decided she likes a bit now! Hence the question about bits, there's so much selection nowadays compared to when I used to regularly use them 10+ years ago.
!

I love my transcend; the quality is brilliant, and the second rein has added a lot of lightness to my mare's way of going. I did originally back my very forward youngster in it also. He was short of emergency brakes though, so he's got a matrix pro now, and just having it on the first leverage section has made a massive difference, plus there are loads of ways to configure it so we can try out other options, including adding a curb rein, as he settles in his work. His mum (also very forward) goes in a scawbrig on the rare occasions shes ridden these days, as she responds well to the squeeze on the nose, but they release much more freely than a dr cook and dont have the poll pressure. Unless you need a bit for showing/ dressage comps etc where they arent open to bitless, there is a good chance you will be able to find something that works well for your horse.

 

[SEL]

I've got a pony with a palate issue in a hackamore. I tried loads of other options until I bought one and she settled straight away