Introducing a Myler Combination Bit?

[LauraBR]

I recently purchased Sam a Myler Combination bit (short shank with a comfort snaffle mouthpiece). The hope is that it gives me a bit more control jumping as he tends to stick his head in the hair and tank at jumps with a totally numb mouth (his mouth is numb on the flat too).

I believe this stems from his confidence lacking jumping which I'm beginning to tackle slowly by going right back to basics with him however, having broken my leg last time he tanked totally out of control I feel I need to be able to control the speed we go if required as when he runs out at a million miles an hour- I don't stand much chance.

ANYWAY.... began introducing it last week- have taken things very slowly with it as I appreciate the action it has is going to feel very different for him. Started off by putting it on in the stable for 20mins, then took him for a plod about it in with no contact whatsoever, progressed to light schooling with a very soft 'barely there' contact (all with the curb strap very loose)

He's not taking to it brilliantly. When I began to pick up a contact he resists; he always does this with any bit and usually finds some way to evade it but with the combi his evasion options are limited so he throws his toys out of the pram and flings his head about in a temper.

Been gradually gradually doing a bit more and more- last night he was particularly argumentative in trot but worked really nicely in it in walk BUT when he finally gave in he really did go beautifully in it and actually- I think it could help with our flatwork too IF he can get used to working with it.

I'm having to take a really softly softly 'all on his terms' approach (which is fine, I'm, not in a rush), just wondered whether anyone had experienced a similar reaction and came through the other side? I deffo don't want to start jumping him in it until he is happy in it but I'm wondering whether that is actually going to happen

(teeth, back and tack are all fine btw so I'm not concerned about the acceptance of the bit being a physical problem)

Thoughts?

 

[icestationzebra]

I've not had any experience of this bit so I can't help I'm afraid. I have sometimes found that stronger bits on some horses can encourage them to fuss more and he may try and run away from it which is the opposite to what you are looking for. Have you tried him in his normal bit but adding a mexican noseband. I've had great results with my mare who can be strong but has a very soft mouth. The noseband encourages her to be still in her mouth and jaw which makes everything softer and more relaxed.
Worth a try?

 

[LauraBR]

I use a mexican for xc (with a copper roller his normal jumping bit- does everything else in a plain snaffle) and it is really useful for gaining a nice amount of control between jumps, but it doesn't really help with the approach to the jump as he just sets his mouth, locks on and goes. What appealed to me about the combi bit was the fact the action is spread elsewhere so he's got more to think about.

Haven't jumped xc since before Christmas though, think I might get the grackle out and have a play, see how that goes too- anything is worth a shot! Thanks

 

[lucemoose]

Just to suggest ( if you have done already Im sorry) That you ask in the comp riders bit too? Quite a few people mention being in myler combos...I think that the way the bit action is linked to the nosebands action can irritate some horses. As opposed to the way that if you ride in a mexican, and the horse evades it- he is bringing the action of the noseband upon himself. Does that make alittle sense?

 

[LauraBR]

Yes, I think I know what you are saying- he is pulling his usual evasion techniques and finding it isn't all that comfortable when he does! (is that what you meant? lol)

But in a way that is what I want- a reaction! Of course he is not thrilled about it- he is pathologically lazy and actually the bit makes it bloomin difficult for him to get out of working.

I guess the question is- will he learn to gradually accept it?

Stupid thing is I'm not even interested in how he effectively he works in it, I just want to jump in it but to do that I need him relaxed and used to it.

On the plus side at the end of the session he DOES come to realise that actually, life is much nicer if he just gets on with it and he goes really well.

Oh dear, am I making any sense at all lol?!

 

[kibob]

I use a myler combination on my mare (long-shank comfort snaffle). She adjusted to it brilliantly and accepted it really well from word go. Some horses just take a while to adjust to them, sounds like you are doing the right thing with your lad though, taking it slowly. I think I would tighten the curb/noseband up though it should then embrace his whole head. He sounds like he is starting to accept it - just having a temper tantrum cos he knows you've got him.

My mare works lovely on the flat in hers and the brakes/steering are greatly improved for jumping - she was a head-locker before.

 

[flyingfeet]

I'm going to get shot down here - but! Sounds like you are too softly softly, I've never put a bit on in the stable to try it (have long and short shank myler and variety of bits!)

Could it be you have more control so your ned is peeved? I think you need to crack on and get him working properly then you can tell whether its the bit for him.

Next time he throws a paddy squeeze as hard as you can and tell him to get on with it!

 

[LauraBR]

Great to hear a success story with another head locker!

Interesting point about tightening it but yes that makes sense, will do that this evening and see how it goes. Should the curb strap be fitted in the same way as any other- or should it be looser/tighter because of the way it is attached to the noseband? The instructions aren't very clear

 

[LauraBR]

I perhaps am guilty of being too soft lol... that said I'm not being soft with my legs, just my hands.

When he starts throwing his head about and falling behind the leg he gets really booted forwards with my leg (and I wear blunt spurs) backed up with a schooling whip... so he's not getting away with it toally- but I hear what you are saying.

Perhaps tonight I tighten it up, just crack on and see how he goes.

 

[lucemoose]

Understood! Sometimes it is a case of tough, get used to it!

 

[kibob]

Treat it like a cavasson rather than a curb - allow room for a couple of fingers at first (the strap will stretch a little). I ream mine up quite tight when she is going to "parties" - that said, she is very used to hers now.

My girl is in the low ported comfort snaffle mouthpiece. This could be worth considering if your boy doesn't settle after a couple of weeks, could be that he likes a bit more room for his tongue and this is why he objects when you take a light contact - the first action to "come into play" with the Myler is the mouthpiece pushing down onto the tongue.

 

[dieseldog]

I've ridden a few horses in a combination and as soon as I put it on them they have been a lot nicer to ride - straight away - instant affect. Dolly was ridden in a 3 ring when I got her and you couldn't touch her mouth at all. Put her in the Myler combi, fitted properly and instantly I could take a contact and she was a 100% better to ride. Would ride into a contact and stretch. Something she had never done in the other bit.

Maybe he just doesn't like it?

 

[khan]

I used to ride ginger in an american gag (yuck) because it was the only thing i could remotely hold him in and i am quite light handed - and he would fix his head 4 strides away from anything jumpable, my trainer at the time who was very experienced (used to be on the young riders sj team) decided to try to make him back off a bit, we would try a myler combi, well that was a waste of time, as he backed off it waaaaayyyyy too much, he had never refused a jump, ever, in the whole time i had had him at that point, but with the myler he refused to jump, infact, he refused to move from the spot without a lot of persistance just stood there, poached egg eyed with his head up in the hair waving about so she decided that a waterford snaffle may help - and it certainly did! and he is now in a happy mouth snaffle and does every disapline happily in that!

Its all in his head, if he knows i can't hold him he doesn't try to run away, if he thinks i can hold him, hes a loon!

hope this helps